50th IFFI showcases over 250 films

The 50th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was held in Goa over November 20-28. The prestigious event in its latest edition showcased around 200 films from 76 countries, 26 feature films as well as 15 non feature films in the Indian panorama section. Over the years, IFFI has emerged as one of the leading global destinations to celebrate international cinema. This year, the festival was attended by more than 10,000 film lovers from around the world. The golden jubilee year at IFFI also presented 12 leading films from different languages that have completed 50 years in 2019.

Films have served as a successful tool for boosting India’s diplomatic and trade relations worldwide. The role of films in projecting India’s soft power has strengthened Brand India, leading to new opportunities. India produces more than 2,000 films annually in over 20 languages – the largest in the world. Apart from employment, the industry has created new trade and investments, benefitting a variety of stakeholders. India’s media and entertainment industry is currently going through its golden phase and is expected to grow at 13.9 per cent CAGR to touch a valuation of US$37.6 billion by 2021. 

Inaugurating IFFI 50, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Prakash Javadekar, said that single window clearance introduced by the Indian government will attract more international filmmakers to shoot their films in Indian locations. “India has lots of scenic and beautiful shooting sites for national and international films but shooting at these locations requires around 15-20 permissions. Government is now preparing for single window arrangement which will take care of all the permissions and it will benefit places like Goa, Leh-Ladakh and Andaman & Nicobar,” he added.