Curtains down on IFFI

49th International Film Festival of India
Report by: Amit Agarwal

Union Tourism Minister Shri K.J. Alphons and Cine Celebrities graced the Closing Ceremony even as preparations for golden jubilee edition have begun.

The valedictory ceremony for the 49th edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa got off to a glittering start at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, in Taleigaon, Goa today November 28, 2018. 

IFFI 2018 - Glimpses
Union Tourism Minister Shri K. J. Alphons graced the closing ceremony, along with a host of dignitaries from the political and cinematic landscape. Governor of Goa, Smt. Mridula Sinha; Governor of Punjab, Shri V.P. Singh Badnore; Union Minister of State for AYUSH (I/C), Shri Shripad Naik; Minister for Town and Country Planning, Goa, Shri Vijay Sardesai; Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Amit Khare were also present. Indian cine celebrities Anil Kapoor, Rakul Preet, Chitrangada Singh, Diana Penty and Keerthi Suresh walked the red carpet, adding to the colour and glamour of the star-studded evening. Many renowned film personalities such as IFFI 2018 Lifetime Achievement Awardee Dan Wolman, Member of Parliament Manoj Tewari, Anil Kapoor, Arbaaz Khan (son of master screenwriter Salim Khan), Indian Panorama Jury Chief Rahul Rawail, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra and Kabir Bedi too attended the closing ceremony. 

Stating that the 49th edition has been a great success, Shri Khare said that film bazaar has elicited response from various countries across the world. He said that Israel has been the focus country and Jharkhand the state focus. Noting that the preparations for the golden jubilee celebration of the festival next year has begun, the Secretary said that the government would like to showcase the film culture of each and every region of the country and trace the history of IFFI from the 1st to the 49th. He added that the facilities at Goa would be enhanced, given the overwhelming response received from film-lovers. He said that this is being done, so that the 50th IFFI can have many more delegates than this year.