Question : International Film Festival of India

(a) whether India is going to host the 50th International Film Festival of India (IFF) in Goa and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the number and the details of films from various countries that will be screened in the festival along with the focus countries in the festival;

(c) the number of Indian feature and non-feature films that will be screened during the festival;

(d) whether the Government has taken many new initiatives to promote Indian Cinema in the International Film Festival and if so, the details thereof along with the benefits derived therefrom till date; and

(e) whether the festival has helped Indian Cinema to spread globally and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
(SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR):

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT AS REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) to (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *98 FOR ANSWER ON 22.11.2019

(a) Yes Sir, India is hosting 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI, Goa) from 20th – 28th November, 2019 at Goa. The Inauguration ceremony and the Closing Ceremony will be held on 20th November, 2019 and 28th November, 2019 respectively.

(b) 180 International Films from 76 different countries will be screened at the festival. Russia is the country of focus for the 50th edition of IFFI.

(c) The flagship section of IFFI, Indian Panorama is a package of 26 feature films and 15 non-feature films. In the Indian Section of IFFI, out of total 73, 54 feature films and 19 non-feature films will be screened.

(d) Film Promotion Fund set up by the Government in 2017 provides for financial assistance to the independent Indian filmmakers to promote their films at International film festivals across the world, thereby promoting Indian cinema in the International arena. Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) is the nodal agency for processing of applications for financial assistance under the Film Promotion Fund.

Also, Film Promotion Fund works out to help filmmakers monetarily to promote their films once they are selected in International Film Festivals or events like Oscars.

(e) Yes Sir. IFFI is a medium to showcase the cultural influence of Indian cinema and its soft power. Every year, more than 70 countries from all over the world participate in IFFI. In IFFI 2019, 180 international films from 76 different countries will be screened at the festival. Russia is the country of focus this year.

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