IFFI 2017 | Festival News

Populism and petty politics: a re-look at 48th IFFI

A re-look at the colorful yet controversy-marred 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa from November 20-28.

'Take Off' takes Malayalam cinema to new heights at IFFI 2017

The survival thriller, narrating the tale of a Keralite nurses' struggles in war-torn Iraq, won the Special Jury Award while its lead actress Parvathy won the Silver Peacock for the Best Actress.

Fresh twist seals S Durga's fate at IFFI

The CBFC on Tuesday issued a notice to Shaji Mathew, producer of the film, saying the certification agency had received complaints from the IFFI jury over the title of the film.

Save Democracy: 'S Durga' makers stage protest at IFFI venue

Sexy Durga director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan and actor Kannan Nayar staged a protest outside the main venue of IFFI.

'Discomfort' of S Durga, Padmavati should trigger collective introspection: Anand Gandhi

The ability called freedom of speech cannot be manhandled in the way we see it today, says Anand Gandhi director of 'Ship of Theseus'.

Beware, mainstream cinema is not safe from fascism: 'Sexy Durga' actor

Not one from the mainstream cinema came out in support of 'Sexy Durga', Sujeesh K S.

S Durga's screening unlikely as IFFI jury dithers on decision

Reacting to the comments, film director Sanalkumar Sasidharan said the jury was making a mockery of the court.

Brazen dilly-dallying again? IFFI asks jury to watch S Durga only Monday

The festival directorate has convened a meeting of the Indian Panorama jury on Monday, just a day before the festival is scheduled to conclude.

Decision to stop screening 'S Durga' frightening: Mahesh Narayanan at IFFI

The 'Take Off' director was reacting to a question on the I&B ministry's decision to drop Sanal Kumar Sasidharan's 'S Durga' from the Indian Panorama section.

Don't screen 'S Durga' at IFFI: Hindu outfits to organizers

The petition, handed over to IFFI director Sunit Tandon this afternoon, said the screening of the controversial movie should be stalled to maintain law and order.

IFFI director accepts censored 'S Durga' after closed door drama

Sanal was not allowed to meet festival director Sunit Tanden for over an hour as the officials insisted that he submit the copy of the film to the print department and leave the director's office.

It is petty official ego that stops 'S Durga', says Sasidharan

Sanal Kumar Sasidharan, the director of S... Durga, said that his film is being treated with hostility and he with enmity.

Loud & clear: filmmaker Lijin Jose says 'undeclared emergency' in country

Lijin made the subtle yet scathing comment ahead of the screening of his documentary, 8 ½ Intercuts: Life and Films of K G George.

As life and films of KG George unravel in '8 ½ Intercuts'

The film, directed by Lijin Jose, was screened before a packed audience as part of the non-feature section of the Indian Panorama.

IFFI director asks 'S Durga' maker to submit censored version

The move comes after the Kerala High Court declined to stay a single bench order to screen the Malayalam film at the Indian Panorama section of the ongoing festival.

Kerala HC declines to stay order on screening 'S Durga' at IFFI

The government said the film though selected by the jury had not secured the exemption as required by the Panorama regulation in the absence of any certification from the Central Board of Film Certification.

It's fascistic to ban release of a film, says actor Rohini

Actor Rohini says protest over Padmavati is part of diversion tactics

'S Durga' maker writes to IFFI for screening date, actor says no response from officials

Sanal Kumar Sasidharan had said they would file a contempt of court but the decision is on hold as their lawyer told them that the ministry may go for a stay order on the decision.

Writer of Bollywood cult satire says fear growing in India

Ranjit Kapoor, who wrote the dialogues for classic satire film ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron’ (JBDY) said its makers would have been assaulted by fringe elements if the film were to be made today.

Padmavati: Miffed Madhur Bhandarkar slams selective outrage

The filmmaker said he was disillusioned by the silence of the intelligentsia in the country over the protest against his recent film, Indu Sarkar.

Actress Rajshri Deshpande turns angry Durga as IFFI keeps mum on her film

Addressing the media on the sidelines of the IFFI, Rajshri said the reluctance of both the IFFI organizers and the I&B ministry to speak up was frustrating.

Sidharth Malhotra to perform at IFFI closing ceremony

The Baar Baar Dekho actor will be on his maiden visit to IFFI and will be seen performing on a medley of some of his biggest hits on the festival's closing day, November 28.

Suing IFFI for contempt of court: 'S Durga' director

Sanal Kumar Sasidharan took to Twitter to accuse IFFI and the ministry for acting in an 'unconstitutional' manner.

IFFI-land breathes memories of KR Mohanan

The informal gathering was held on the premises of the Inox theatre complex, the main venue of the International Film Festival of India.

IFFI director 'runs for cover' as scribes seek 'S Durga' screening details

An open forum organized as part of the event witnessed dramatic moments as Tandon vehemently refused to answer a query regarding the festival committee's reaction to the court order.

Katrina Kaif to be a special guest at IFFI closing ceremony

Superstar Salman Khanalso her co-star from Tiger Zinda Hai will bring down the curtains on the festival on November 28.

An artiste's interpretation has every right to exist: Asrani

Asrani extended his support to the film S Durga, which was dropped from the ongoing International Film Festival of India 2017.

I choose my heroes from the crowd: Majid Majidi

For Tara's character, played by Malavika Mohanan, Majidi said he was inspired by his travels in India.

Would not like to limit myself: Ishaan Khattar

Ishaan said it was an 'empowering experience' to work with Majid Majidi.

Anchoring gaffe invokes memories of jury row as IFFI Indian Panorama begins

Sridevi declared the section opened after the available jury members from both the feature and non-feature sections were facilitated.

Setback for I&B ministry: Kerala HC orders 'S Durga' screening at IFFI

A delighted Sanal Kumar Sasisdharan, the director of the film, said the court's ruling was a victory of 'cinema and democracy'.

Acting in Majid Majidi film was a surreal experience: Malavika Mohanan

Malavika's co-actor Ishaan Khattar, who played the male lead character in the film, echoed her feeling. He hailed Majidi's extra ordinary leadership quality as a director.

IFFI crowd erupts into cheers as 'Sexy Durga' actor announces HC decision

A highly placed source with the Indian Panorama jury told Onmanorama that the organizers may try to buy time in order to make the filmmakers wait as long as possible.

Sridevi inaugurates IFFI's Indian Panorama, event begins with many a fumble

The event was a bit delayed and the host was not well-prepared for what she had to say. In fact, she even had to apologize for reading out wrong information.

Shah Rukh Khan hails India's tradition of storytelling as curtains go up on 48th IFFI

Bollywood actors Rajkumar Rao and Radhika Apte compered the event which included a musical homage to the film personalities who passed away last year.

Row over 'S Durga', 'Nude': IFFI jury members write to Smriti Irani

The members expressed their distress over the removal of the two films without any intimation, discussion or recourse to the jury.

Shah Rukh to open 48th IFFI as Goa welcomes film buffs

The star-studded event will be attended by Union minister of information and broadcasting Smriti Irani, Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar among others.

Film industry should boycott IFFI: Shabana Azmi

Calling the situation 'cultural annihilation', Azmi criticized information and broadcasting minister Smriti Irani for her silence on the issue.

Canadian filmmaker Atom Egoyan to get lifetime achievement award

The festival, to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28, will also screen three films produced by the 57-year-old filmmaker.

Canada, the focus country at IFFI 2017

The special focus will kick off on November 21 with Old Stone, directed by Johnny Ma, being the opening film.

Independence of IFFI will never get compromised: Vani Tripathi

Vani said that all the 'films that are being screened at IFFI go through the ministry'.

SRK to inaugurate IFFI, Katrina and Shahid Kapoor to be present

Over 200 films will be screened during the festival.

Newton, Jolly LLB 2 among films to be screened at IFFI Indian Panorama

The festival, which takes place in Goa every year, will run from November 20 to 28.

As Malayalam's 'Sexy Durga' waits out, 'Take Off' lands a slot at IFFI

The film was retitled as S Durga and bagged a special jury mention at the nineteenth edition of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival.

'Sexy Durga' premiere in Kerala on Thursday. Hurry, grab your tickets

The film, that courted controversy for various reasons right from its title, will have a special screening at Aries Plex, Audi 1. Entry passes will be available for Rs 500.

Majidi's first Indian film 'Beyond the Clouds' to be screened at IFFI opening

This is perhaps the first time that an international film maker of repute has shot and produced an entire film in India with a complete Indian cast and crew, according to a blog by the IFFI.

I&B ministry overrules IFFI jury: drops 'S Durga', 'Nude'

A jury member, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, termed the ministry's decision 'unprecedented'. The ministry did not respond to the reports.

Protest against Center gains steam as IFFI jury chief quits, S Durga director moves HC

Several jury members expressed their displeasure over the ministry's move to drop the films from the list they submitted.

Amitabh Bachchan to be honored with IFFI personality of the year award

The 75-year-old actor has starred in over 190 Indian films in a career spanning almost five decades. He has won four national awards for best actor and 15 Filmfare Awards.

'Rules followed in excluding film 'S Durga' from IFFI'

The ministry has the authority to exclude any film on the basis of an assessment that it can adversely affect law and order, the sources said.