New Delhi: Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting has said that Government is taking all efforts to digitalise whole spectrum of services available to the citizens. Convergence of array of services to empower citizens through Mobile technology is happening. The Film Facilitation Office (FFO) set up by the government was a step towards facilitating single window clearance for film makers, promote India as a filming destination and provide the platform for film tourism in the country. He said this today at the Closing Ceremony of IFFI 2016 at Goa. Honorable Governor of Goa, Smt. Mridula Sinha, Chief Minister of Goa Shri Laxmikant Parsekar and Chief Guest Shri S.S. Rajamouli and senior officials from the Ministry was present on the occasion.
Speaking on the power of Cinema Col. Rathore said that films were not only a means for entertainment but was a powerful art form which heralded social change. He added that it was a testament to the power of fluency and persuasion that they it was the only art form that is deemed fit to be regulated by an act of Parliament. The role of Cinema to bridge cultures was experienced in IFFI with the partnership between India and the focus country for the year 2016- Republic of Korea through films which acted as gateway for further cultural exchanges.
Col. Rathore mentioned that Multiplexes had revolutionised the film viewing experience with the top films grossing box office returns due to the Multiplex boom. Paradigm shift in technology also enabled the mobile viewing boom in the country. It enabled individuals to shoot films based on one’s taste and perception of the given environment. This acted as a big fillip to young film makers and it was evident from the record number of entries at the Swachh Bharat Film Festival organised by the Ministry.
Earlier Chief Minister of Goa Shri Lakshmikant Parsekar, in his address said that collaboration between Ministry of I&B, State Government and Film industry made this edition of IFFI a great success which not only promoted Indian Film Industry but also promoting Goa as a creative hub. Chief Guest Shri S S Rajamouli said that biggest beneficiaries of such film festivals are young film makers who gets a platform to see the best of films across the globe and learn from he vision of reputed film makers around the World. Smt. Jayashree Mukherjee, Additional Secretary Ministry of Information & Broadcasting said that IFFI besides showcasing films also provided a large number of avenues for learning in form of workshops and master classes. The efforts by the Jury members were appreciated for selecting the best of Cinema at IFFI.
Best Film award was bagged by the Movie “Daughter”. The award came with the Golden Peacock Trophy, certificate and a cash prize amount of Rs. 40,00,000, shared between the Director and the Producer equally. ‘Daughter’ had also won the best film award in the Moscow International Film Festival earlier this year. Iranian actor Farhad Aslani won the Best Actor award for his portrayal of the strict father in the same film ‘Daughter’, picking up the Silver Peacock and Rs 10 lakhs in cash prize.
The Best Director award was given to Baris Kaya for the film “Rauf”, who bagged the Silver Peacock Trophy and cash prize of Rs. 15,00,000. While Farhad Aslani was awarded the Best Actor award for the film “Daughter”, Elina Vaska won the Best Actress Award for the film “Fellow Mud”. Both received the Silver Peacock Trophy and cash Prize of Rs 10,00,000 each. Special Jury award was given to Lee Joon-ik for the Direction of the movie “The Throne” who also received the Silver Peacock Award and a cash prize of Rs. 15,00,000.
The ICFT –UNESCO Gandhi Medal was awarded to Turkish film maker Mustafa Kara’s ‘Cold of Kalandar’. This award, instituted by the International Council for Film & Television, Paris and UNESCO is given to a film that portrays the Gandhian values of peace and harmony. Kara’s ‘Cold of Kalandar’, set in a mountain village in the Black Sea region is also Turkey’s official entry for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ category of Oscar Awards.
Canadian multi-lingual entry ‘The Apology’ by Toronto based Tiffany Hsiung won the Special Mention under the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal competition. In all 7 films, including an Indian film ‘Allama’ by T S Nagabharana’s was in the fray for the ICFT-UNESCO Gandhi Medal.
The Closing ceremony witnessed glitz and glamour through the scintillating musical performances representing a rich musical culture of India composed by Sachin Jigar.
