Netflix, Amazon to debut at 52nd edition of IFFI

Organisers of the International Film Festival of India on Thursday informed that OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon and others will debut in the 52nd edition of the festival. The film festival shall kickstart in a hybrid mode in Goa from November 20.

Festival director Chaitanya Prasad informed that 158 films from 73 countries would be screened in the festival's international section. 12 world premieres and 26 Asia premiers will also be screened at the event, he added.

"For the first time in the history of IFFI, we have major OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon, Zee 5 and Viacom participating in the festival, with releases, masterclasses and more," Prasad said.

The Opening film will be 'The King of all the World' (El Rey de Todo El Mundo), directed by Carlos Saura. This would also be the film's international premiere. 'The Power of the Dog', directed by Jane Campion, Winner of Best Director at Venice Film Festival, will be the mid-fest film.

The opening feature film of Indian Panorama 2021 is Semkhor. Directed by Aimee Baruah, Semkhor is the first-ever film made in Dimasa language to be featured at the film festival.

Martin Scorsese and Istevan Szabo shall be honoured with the first Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award. Furthermore, the festival shall pay homage to Kannada film actor late Puneet Rajkumar and Sir Sean Connery.