The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) begins on today, November 20, 2024, with a star-studded Opening Ceremony at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, Goa, starting at 5 PM. The event will be preceded by the Red-Carpet Premiere of the Australian film Better Man by Michael Gracy at Inox Panjim in the presence of Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Chief MinisterPramod Sawant, and other dignitaries. Australia is the Country of Focus this year.
Opening Ceremony, hosted by Abhishek Banerjee and Bhumi Pednekar, will include cultural performances, tributes to Indian cinema, and a dance program featuring 1990s Bollywood hits. It will feature appearances by several filmmakers and actors, including Subhash Ghai, Nagarjuna, and Rajkummar Rao etc. For the first time, live Indian sign language interpretation will be provided, making the event accessible to people with hearing difficulties. The festival will run from November 20 to 28, 2024, in Goa.
Iconic filmmakers and creators such as Subhash Ghai, Dinesh Vijan, Amar Kaushik, NM Suresh, RK Selvamani, Ishari Ganeshan, Ravi Kotarakara and lyricist Prasoon Joshi will attend the Opening Ceremony. Renowned actors Nagarjuna, Nitya Menon, Aamla, Vikrant Massey, Rakul Preet, Manushi Chillar, Boman Irani, Rajkummar Rao, Abhishek Banerjee, Jaideep Ahlawat, Randeep Hooda, Sanya Malhotra, Jayam Ravi, Jacky Bhagnani, R. Sarath Kumar, Mukta Barve, Sonalee Kulkarni and Radhakrishnan Parthiban will also be present besides other dignitaries. This dazzling gathering of cinema icons is a resounding affirmation of the festival’s ability to bring together the best of Indian and international film talent. The stellar lineup also includes Sri Sri Ravi Shankar who will inspire attendees with a special address.
Special Focus: Australia
This year’s IFFI will feature Australia as the Country of Focus. The Jannawi Dance Clan, an Australian First Nations dance group, will present an enthralling cultural program, promoting international cultural exchange.
The opening ceremony of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will feature performances highlighting India’s cultural and religious diversity, offering audiences a glimpse into its spiritual heritage. A special segment, ’90s Rewind: Dance Explosion,’ will bring Bollywood nostalgia with performances on iconic hits, while “Timeless Souls” will pay tribute to legends like Raj Kapoor, ANR, and Mohammed Rafi through a combination of music, poetry, and visuals.
The ceremony will also showcase the evolution of Indian cinema, tracing its journey from the silent era to modern masterpieces. The event will conclude with The Cinematic Symphony, a dynamic medley performed by Sunny Kaushal and Sanya Malhotra. For the first time, live Indian sign language interpretation will make the event accessible to attendees with hearing difficulties. With this inclusive approach, IFFI 2024 promises to be a memorable celebration of cinematic excellence and cultural diversity.
