American Actress Susan Sarandon would be the Chief Guest at 44th Edition of International Film Festival of India to be held between November 20-30 at Goa.
The 67 Year Old Susan is one of the most acclaimed Actresses of Hollywood and is an avid Social Worker. She would be the Chief Guest at opening Ceremony on November 20. Another acclaimed Hollywood actress, Michelle Yeoh, will be the chief guest for the closing ceremony on November 30.
The Festival would also confer Time Achievement Award to legendary Czech director Mr. Jiri Menzel. This was revealed by Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari at a Press Conference at New Delhi.
The 44th edition of IFFI would be unique on several accounts. For the first time two International Film personalities, Ms. Susan Sarandon and acclaimed Iranian Filmmaker Mr. Majid Majidi were to share the stage at the opening ceremony. This aspect reiterated the growing importance of India as a Soft Power.
IFFI 2013 would also provide the platform to screen for the first time films on Nobel Prize winners, namely , Mandela, A long Walk to Freedom and Lech Walesa.
The Life Time Achievement Award was being conferred to the legendary Czech Film Director, Mr. Jiri Menzel whose films have been acknowledged as the Czech New Wave Cinema.
For the first time, a film on India’s great freedom struggle leader Basha Khan would be screened at the Festival. For the first time, a film produced and directed by an Afghan Director would be screened.
The festival would highlight for the first time Cinema from the North Eastern states of India.