I have been attending every IFFI since 1977. I joined IMPA in 1976 and began my IFFI journey in 1977. It is one of the finest festivals. A Film Market used to be there during 70s and it was very active. I wish IFFI a great success for another 50 years Supran Sen, Director General, Film Federation of India

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), in its 49 editions since 1952, has made a huge impact on Indian and international cinema. In the process, it has also created evergreen memories in the hearts and minds of filmmakers and other stakeholders. Pickle presents you handpicked photos from the albums of IFFI, chronicling the best moments and nostalgia

IFFI has moved up a few notches since coastal Goa became its permanent venue in 2004. It now has a far more settled feel than ever before

1. 1991 – A cultural programme at IFFI, Madras
2. 1977 – Veteran Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray sharing a moment with his Japanese counterpart Akira Kurosawa
3. 1987 – Actor Gemini Ganesan presenting special jury prize for Silver Peocock Award to the chinese film, The outcast directed by Yao Shougang

Year after Year IFFI provides a glimpse of the sheer range and dynamism of Indian cinema

1. 2013 – Legendary singer Asha Bhosle
2. 1977 – Italian filmmaker Michelangelo Antonioni enjoying Taj Mahal
3. 2000 – Malayalam film director Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Jahnu Barua at open forum in 31st IFFI, New Delhi
4. 2017 – Union Minister Smriti Irani presenting the Indian Film Personality of the Year Award to Amitabh Bachchan in the presence of Akshay Kumar

IFFI is India’s number one film festival. Cinema events of this kind are also hosted by Kolkata, Mumbai and Kerala. But none can match IFFI for size, scope and vintage

1. 2017 – A cultural programme at a recent edition of IFFI
2. 2007 – Ambience of Inox at Goa during an IFFI screening
3. 2007 – Adoor Gopalakrishnanat open forum in 38th IFFI
4. 1981 – Saeed Mirza, director Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Ata Hai at press conference
5. 2010 – Veteran Filmmaker Yash Chopra inaugural address during 41st IFFI

IFFI has been graced by Hugh Welchman, Luc Besson, Phil Noyce, Krzysztof Zanussi, Kim Ki Duk, Paul Cox, Michael Winterbottom, Susan Sarandon, Michelle Yeoh, Atiq Rahimi, Jiri Menzel and Majid Majidi

1. 1993 – Director Ram Mohan and Yugo Sako of the film Ramayana at IFFI press conference
2. K P Kottarakara, President of South Indian Chamber of Commerce at IFFI
3. Author, journalist Burjor Khurshedji Karanjia at IFFI at press conference

Each year, IFFI is setting new parameters with regard to its technical standards of sound and projection and the entire experience of watching a movie

1. 2007 – Inaugural address by Shah Rukh Khan during 38th IFFI
2. Airshow, one of the attractions at IFFI
3. Evergreen actor Dev Anand at IFFI
4. Amitabh Bachchan sharing a lighter moment

The first international film festival of India is rightfully credited with triggering a burst of creativity in Indian cinema by exposing young Indian filmmakers to the best from around the world, especially to Italian neorealism

• 1986 – Filmotsav 86, Director Shyam Benegal and actress Sushma Prakash at press conference at Jubilee Hall, Hyderabad
• 2016 – Ramesh Sippy at IFFI
• Bappi Lahiri and director Buddhadeb Dasgupta at IFFI
• 2005 – Shyam Benegal at 35th IFFI

Seven decades on, IFFI continues to provide a useful platform to young Indian filmmakers who work outside the mainstream distribution and exhibition system and in all language

1. 2006 – Garam Hawa director M S Sathyu at IFFI
2. 1986 – Ramesh Sharma, director of New Delhi Times, addressing press conference
3. 2012 – Irfan Khan and Tabu at press conference during 43rd IFFI
4. Actress-Filmmaker Suhasini Mani Ratnam at IFFI
5. 2009 – Sharmila Tagore at an interaction during 40th IFFI

IFFI 2019 will showcase 200 odd films from 76 countries, which will offer cineastes a wide sampling of this year’s most lauded works, besides a slew of landmark films of historical worth from across the world

1. A brainstorming session at IFFI
2. 2009 – Malayalam megastar Mammootty during 40th IFFI
3. 2011- Tamil actor Suriya at 42nd IFFI
4. 2005 – Superstar Rajesh Khanna at 36th IFFI

Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) was set up by the Government of India in 1973 to organize International and National Film Festivals within the country. DFF facilitates India’s participation in Festivals abroad, arranges programmes of foreign films in India and Indian films abroad and holds the National Film Awards function

1. 1987 – Renowned director G V Iyer addressing press conference of his film Madhavacharya
2. Akshay Kumar and Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar at inaugural
3. 1993 – Director Goutam Ghose at a press conference
4. 2018 – Keerthy Suresh at the 48th IFFI

As a vehicle of Cultural Exchange, DFF promotes International friendship, provides access to new trends in world Cinema, generates healthy competition and, in the process, helps to improve the standards of Indian Films.