Goa: The Jury for the Indian Panorama Feature Films section at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024 emphasized the challenge of selecting 25 feature films from an extensive pool of 384 entries. Addressing the media during a press conference, Jury members stressed that non-selection should not be viewed as a reflection of a film’s quality.
Eminent filmmaker and Jury Chairperson Himanshu Sekhar Khatua described the selection process as a “herculean task,” noting the diversity of perspectives among the 13 Jury members, who aimed to ensure representation from all parts of India. Over 42 days, the panel deliberated to curate a collection that showcases the richness of Indian cinema. “Goa has become a favorite shooting location, providing filmmakers with the necessary support for their creative endeavors,” Khatua added.
Jury member and actor Manoj Joshi highlighted India’s legacy as a storytelling nation. “We are the primal storytellers of the world. Storytelling is in our blood, and we are the best content-providing country globally,” he remarked, praising the diversity and creativity of submissions from across the country.
Ratnottama Sengupta, another Jury member, underscored the festival’s role in celebrating India’s cultural and cinematic diversity. “The Indian Panorama films manifest the diversity of India and Indian cinema. Though the festival spans only 10 days, it showcases a wide variety of films across multiple segments,” she noted.
Filmmaker Ashuu Trikha lauded the meticulous and “religious” approach to the selection process. He emphasized Indian cinema’s growing prowess in special effects and digital technology, setting global benchmarks.
Jury member Priya Krishnaswamy praised the experimental approaches of emerging filmmakers. “It’s heartening to see the thematic undercurrents and the new cinematic language they bring. The selection reflects the evolving trends and highlights the variety Indian cinema has to offer to the world,” she said.
The Indian Panorama section, a flagship of IFFI, will showcase 25 feature films, including five mainstream productions, and 20 non-feature films. The opening film for the Feature Films section is Swatantrya Veer Savarkar (Hindi), directed by Randeep Hooda.
Other Jury members present included Sushmita Mukherjee, Oinam Gautam, S.M. Patil, Neelabh Kaul, Sushant Misra, Arun Kumar Bose, and Sameer Hanchate. The press conference was moderated by Rajith Chandran.
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