Question : International Film Festival of India

(a) whether 50th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), 2019 was organized by the Government recently;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the aims and objectives of the IFFI;

(c) the number and the details of films from different countries that was screened in the festival along with the focus country in the festival;

(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote Indian cinema in the International Film Festival, and

(e) the further steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote regional films in the country?

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) & (b) Yes Sir, Union of India, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in association with Government of Goa organizes International Film Festival of India (IFFI) every year at Goa in November. Year 2019 marks the Golden Jubilee edition of IFFI (20th – 28th November, 2019).

International Film Festival of India (IFFI) provides a common platform for the cinemas of the world to project the excellence of the film art; contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos; and promoting friendship and cooperation among people of the world. It is also a medium to showcase the cultural influence of Indian cinema and its soft power.

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

(d) Film Promotion Fund, set up by the Government in 2017 provides 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. Financial assistance is provided to the filmmakers once their films are selected in International Film Festivals or events like Oscars.

(e) Every year, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting organizes National Film Awards wherein films from across the country in Hindi/Regional Languages are awarded under different categories.

Also, every year, films are selected for Indian Panorama section of IFFI. This year, Indian Panorama is a package of 26 feature films and 15 non-feature films, selected in various Indian languages. In the Indian Section of IFFI, out of total 73, 54 feature films and 19 non-feature films will be screened. These include Homage Section, section of films completing 50 years in 2019, Konkani language films etc.

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