'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

'IFFI' TOWARDS GOLDEN JUBILEE!

Pictures of our 1st 'International Film Festival of India' (IFFI) at Bombay in 1952.

This is a golden jubilee of our 'International Film Festival of India' known as 'IFFI'!

Renowned Italian-American filmmaker Frank Capra with our that time

 Minister of I & B..R. R. Diwakar & other delegates in this festival.

On this occasion here is look on our first international film festival which was happened.. with the support of our first Prime - Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru!

That special event was organised by 'Films Division' of our Government of India in Jan.-Feb., 1952 at Bombay! 

That was also the first international film festival held in Asia!

Our that first film festival was non-competitive and 23 countries 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!

Our that time Minister of I & B..R. R. Diwakar and..

film personalities with beautiful actress-singer Suraiya!

Renowned film - maker Frank Capra specially came with US delegation to Bombay for that our first 'IFFI' in 1952. Our leading film personalities during that era like beautiful actress-singer Suraiya.. graced this show. That time Minister of I & B..R. R. - Diwakar looked- after this function!

I also started attending our 'IFFI' in Bombay from 1995!

- Manoj Kulkarni