MUMBAI: Goa, India – November 15, 2024 – Acclaimed filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker has been appointed has the Chairperson of the International Jury for this year's International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
Renowned for his extraordinary contributions to Indian cinema, Ashutosh Gowariker has carved a niche for himself on both national and international platforms. His iconic film Lagaan was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2002 and earned the Screen International Award for Best Non-European Film at the European Film Awards. The film also garnered multiple audience awards at prestigious global festivals, including Locarno, Leeds, NatFilm, Portland, and Bergen.
His historical epic Jodhaa Akbar won the Audience Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the São Paulo International Film Festival and Best Film at the Golden Minbar International Film Festival in Kazan, Russia. Additionally, his films What’s Your Raashee? and Mohenjo Daro have received recognition at premier global events such as the Toronto International Film Festival and the Locarno International Film Festival, respectively.
Festival Director Shekhar Kapur, who also serves as the President of IFFI, praised Gowariker's appointment, stating, "The chairman must have a keen understanding of cinema, and also be able to see diverse points of view. Ashutosh’s films have successfully exhibited a wide and varied forms of storytelling, and we’re grateful that he accepted to be Chairman of the International Jury at IFFI this year."
Expressing his excitement and honor in taking on this prestigious role, Ashutosh stated, "Cinema is constantly evolving with the times, and there’s no better place to witness this evolution than at a film festival. The International Film Festival of India stands as a beacon of this transformation, and I am honored to be a part of it."
He further added, "I would like to thank the Festival Director, Mr. Shekhar Kapur, and the IFFI and NFDC team for thinking of me for Chairing this year's International Jury. It is both a privilege and a delight to participate and immerse myself in the world of cinema."
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in collaboration with the NFDC and ESG, will host the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa from November 20th to 28th, 2024. Storytellers and cinema enthusiasts can look forward to a vibrant lineup and diverse programming, promising an unforgettable celebration of global cinema.
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