NEW DELHI, Nov 19, 2021 (BSS) - The 52nd edition of International Film
Festival of India (IFFI) will open in Goa, India's south-western coast and an
offshore island, tomorrow (Saturday) in hybrid format, to showcase more than
300 films from across the world.

   The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) popularly known as 'Goa
Film Festival' will feature 148 films from about 73 countries in the
International Section, Festival Director Chaitanya Prasad said while
addressing a press conference in Goa on Thursday.

   A Bangladeshi film titled "No Ground Beneath The Feet" directed by Mohamad
Rabby Mridha would be screened in the international section of the fair.

   The festival will have about 12 world premieres, about 7 international
premieres, 26 Asia premieres and about 64 India premieres. IFFI received 624
films from 95 countries this time, up from 69 countries in the previous
edition.

   The opening feature film of Indian Panorama-2021 is the film Semkhor
(Dimasa) directed by Ms. Aimee Baruah. This is the first ever film made in
Dimasa (dialect from Assam) to be featured at IFFI, informed Prasad.

   'The King of All The World' (El Rey de Todo El Mundo) directed by Carlos
Saura will be the Opening Film and this will also be the film's international
premier. The Power of the Dog directed by Jane Campion, Winner of Best
Director at Venice Film Festival will be the Mid Fest Film.

   IFFI 52 will come to a close with the screening of Asghar Farhadi's A
Hero, which won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.

   There will be about 18 specially curated films presented as part of the
ongoing celebration of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'.

   An array of world-renowned filmmakers, actors, technicians, critics,
academicians and film enthusiasts will come together to celebrate Cinema and
the Art of Filmmaking through various film Screenings, Presentations, Master
Classes, Panel Discussions, Co-production, Seminars during the festival.

   Besides, India's eminent film artist Hema Malini and Prasoon Joshi to be
conferred the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award for 2021.

   The two major global cinematic giants Martin Scorsese and Istevan Szabo
are being honoured with the first Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award,
informed the Festival Director.

   This IFFI will pay a Special Tribute to the first and iconic 'James Bond'
actor Sir Sean Connery.

   The Director informed that IFFI will open with a star-studded inaugural
ceremony, comprising Indian film artistes Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Riteish
Deshmukh, Genelia Deshmukh, Shraddha Kapoor, amongst others. Karan Johar and
Manish Paul will host the event.

   Bangladesh was the 'country of focus', a special segment that recognizes
the cinematic excellence and contributions of the country in the 51st edition
of IFFI held in Goa last year.