The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), taking place from November 20 to 28 in Goa, will showcase an impressive lineup of films. Among the 15 entries in the International Competition are Rishab Shetty’s “Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1,” Kamakhya Narayan Singh’s “The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond,” and Volker Schlöndorff’s “Visitation” from Germany.
International and Indian Films Compete
Featuring a blend of global cinema, the competition pairs 12 international films with three notable Indian titles. In addition to “Kantara: A Legend – Chapter 1” and “The Kerala Story 2,” Gajendra Ahire’s “Paro – The Untold Story of Bride Slavery,” an India-U.S. co-production starring Trupti Bhoir, also makes its mark. This poignant film tells the story of a woman sold into marriage, shining a light on a critical issue.
Highlights from Major Film Festivals
Several international films in the competition have made waves at prominent film festivals. “In My Father’s Room,” the directorial debut of renowned Japanese novelist Maha Harada, premiered at San Sebastián. Serbian director Miroslav Terzić’s “3 Weeks After” was a notable competitor for the Crystal Globe at the Karlovy Vary festival. Other distinguished films include “Far From the Trees” by Meritxell Colell Aparicio, which debuted in Locarno’s main competition, and “The River Train,” the first feature by Argentine duo Lorenzo Ferro and Lucas A. Vignale, launched in the Berlinale’s Perspectives strand. Additionally, “The Huntress,” from Mexico and the U.S., garnered attention at Sundance.
A Diverse Selection of Global Talent
The competition extends to works by Daniel Monzón, with “Pray for Us” representing Spain and France, and Manuela Martelli’s “The Meltdown,” which showcases talent from Chile, the U.S., Spain, and Mexico. Other entries include Narghiza Dotieva’s “Skylark” from Kyrgyzstan, “A Family” from the Netherlands and Belgium by Mees Peijnenburg, and Tiago Guedes’ Portuguese-French co-production “Aquí.” Lê Bảo’s “Hearing,” is notable for its multinational collaboration, being produced across Vietnam, Singapore, Norway, France, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Cambodia, Thailand, and Taiwan.
Jury Composition and Notable Contributions
Leading the jury for this prestigious event is Indian director and producer Rai, known for acclaimed films like “Raanjhanaa,” “Tanu Weds Manu,” and “Atrangi Re.” Through his company Colour Yellow, he has supported significant works such as the horror film “Tumbbad” and Amit V. Masurkar’s political satire “Newton,” which represented India at the 90th Academy Awards.
The jury also includes Argentine director Sol Berruezo Pichon-Riviere, whose debut feature, “Mamá, mamá, mamá,” earned recognition at the Berlinale for being the youngest director at the festival; and Thai filmmaker Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke, celebrated for his prize-winning work “A Useful Ghost.” Additionally, Colombian sound designer María Alejandra Rojas, whose expertise has enriched numerous notable films, joins the panel. Completing the jury is Romanian writer and director Bogdan Mureșanu, whose film “The New Year That Never Came” won 23 international awards, including the Silver Peacock for Best Direction at IFFI.
