INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IN INDIA
International Film Festivals aim at providing a common platform to film-makers and cine-goers to witness the internationally acclaimed films, to watch new trends and techniques being adopted by different countries leading to a healthy competition for bringing about an improvement in standards of production. Acquainting one with historical and cultural traditions of other nations through films the festivals create deeper awareness and appreciation bringing about a solid base of understanding between different peoples.
The practice of holding festivals started in Venice in 1932 as part of the city’s traditional international Art Exhibition. The nations represented at this festival were USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and the USSR. There were no awards. The Venice festival was followed in 1939 by the Cannes International Film Festival of France. In the course of time the film festivals assumed increasing importance. The nations which were rebuilding their film industry after the World War saw in festivals a chance for world recognition. As international political alliances were being reconstituted, the festivals provided an opportunity for interaction. Festivals were started in Berlin, Moscow, Karlovy Vary (Czechoslovakia), London, San Francisco and New York City.
In India, the International Film Festival, for the first time, was organised in 1952 in Bombay. It was a non-competitive festival. A special feature of the inaugural function of the festival was the screening of the first film shown in Bombay by the Lumiere Brothers in 1896. After running for over a fortnight in Bombay the festival moved on to Calcutta, Madras and Delhi. The construction of open-air theatres for screening the films was another special feature of the festival. The venue for the second festival held in 1961 which was also non-competitive was New Delhi. The third festival, which happened to be the first competitive festival ever held in India was in 1965 in Delhi. It was graded ‘A’ category by the Paris - based Federation International de Producers de Films (FIAFP). With this recognition the festival in India came on par with Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Karlovy Vary and Moscow festivals.
Following this recognition, India adopted, at its fifth festival in 1975, a permanent insignia. This comprises a representation of the peacock, India’s national bird, with a permanent motto of the festival ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (The whole world is a family). The same year it was decided to hold a non-competitive festival of films (Filmotsav) alternating with IFFI. While the Filmotsavs were orgnaised at major film - producing centres of India, IFFI was held in New Delhi only.
The venue being the same for all festivals, the fourth and fifth festivals were held from 5-18 December 1969 and 30 December 1974-12 January 1975 respectively. From the sixth festival onwards the period as well as the dates for the festival were fixed as 3-17 January every alternate year. The sixth festival was held in 1977 and silver peacock for best actor, actress and director was awarded for the first time. A film market was also set up for the first time by the IMPEC. A panorama of Indian regional features was organised.
The seventh festival held in Delhi in 1979, was of special significance as it was the only competitive and exclusive international film festival organised in the entire Third World during 1978-79. (the 1978 Tehran Festival could not be held). For the first time in the history of the Indian Competitive Film Festivals, the jury was headed by a foreigner, Qusmane Sembene of Senegal. Another significant aspect was the participation of women. There were two women on the jury (Chantal Akerman – Belgium, and Marta Maszaves – Hungary).
In the ninth festival held in 1983 a new section for screening of 16mm films was added. An important landmark during the festival was the participation of twenty-two Third World countries. The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has become a major forum of Third World cinema.
For the first time, the festival held in 1985, tenth in the series, had an international panorama of select short films, documedia, in an effort to create an identity for short films.
In 1986 when Filmotsav’ 86 was held in Calcutta, the Festival dates were changed from 3-17 January to 10-24 January.
The Eleventh IFFI held in 1987 gave a breakthrough for commercial cinema, through the introduction of Mainstream section.
The significant change in the 12th IFFI held in 1989 was that it was made non-competitive following a decision taken in August 1988 by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that festivals in future will be non-competitive and all festivals would be called International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Hence the festival held in Calcutta was called the 21st IFFI instead of Filmotsav 90.
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