'IFFI'..FLASH BACK!

Rare photo of our first 'IFFI' held at Bombay in 1952.

A week back I wrote here an article about our first 'International Film Festival of India' ('IFFI') which is celebrating it's golden jubilee!

Our first international film festival was organised by 'Films Division' of our.. Government of India during Jan.-Feb., 1952 at Bombay! That was also the first international film festival held in Asia!

Great Srilankan filmmakers Mr.&Mrs. Lester Peries & I in 'IFFI', 2000, Delhi.

That our first film festival was non-competitive and 23 countries were participated in it with almost 200 films. Aim of 'IFFI' was providing a common platform to the international cinema to present it's excellence in art of film making!

After that first event, our 'IFFI' was subsequently taken to the other main cities like Madras, Calcutta & in capital Delhi! At it's 3rd edition 'IFFI' became competitive.And Sri Lankan film 'Gamperaliya' (1963) won the first 'Golden Peacock Award' in it! Then in 5th edition 'IFFI' became the member of 'FIAPF' and classified as an 'A Grade' film festival!

Social picture of Lester James Peries made Srilankan film 'Gamperaliya' (1963)

Before Goa - becomes the - permanent venue.. 'IFFI' travelled.. among all our.. states alternatively with our capital Delhi! That time international film festivals calendar used to start with our 'IFFI' which had fixed dates 10th to 20th - January. And was more than 10 days! But now this - festival happens at the end of year in reduced days! Anyway I have good memories of those 'IFFI's which I started attending in 1995 from Bombay!

This golden jubilee 'IFFI' is screening that first 'Golden Peacock' winner 'Gamperaliya' made by legendary Sri Lankan film maker Lester James Peries. This is his birth - centenary year too! I remember meeting this great filmmakers couple in 'IFFI', 2000 held at New Delhi!

Regards to this '50th IFFI'!!

- Manoj Kulkarni