2ND BOMBAY INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

FOREWORD

More than ever before the festival and film market at BIFF-92 will go down as one of the major events in the international calendar, bringing together everybody involved in the world of documentary, short and animation films. Present obviously will be the film makers but also producers, distributors, technicians, administrators and opinion makers. The multiple issues at stake in this branch of activity will be dealt with.

On account of its non-exclusive character and the size, quality and variety of its film sections, the BIFF-92 is becoming an attractive place for documentary, short and animation films from all over the world. The Film Market is a valuable asset for all those working in this sector, enabling them to come into contact with creators in a friendly, congenial atmosphere, Ideas, concepts, styles and new animation techniques will be presented and represented in a series of workshops and seminars.

We are extremely happy that this international event will take place in a truly Indian context. The links that are created between documentary, short, and animation film makers and promoters of such films within the country, and also internationally, are the best way to guarantee rapid assertion of a new major artistic and economic lifestyle for documentary, short and animation cinema.

BIFF-92 will be a place of exchange and a venue for documentary and animation film professionals, dealing with all aspects of the trade and the various processes involved in creation, production and marketing. Looking to numerous problems facing our countrymen, this medium of communication deserves a very high priority.

The very fact that the Government of India has come forward to organize this event on such an ambitious scale is in itself an evidence of our commitment and eagerness to improve the quality of such films, and at the same time, make the people at large realise about the power, potential and usefulness of these films to effectively tackle the problems of ours society. Efforts made by the Government to help train film professionals (proposals to create more film and TV schools in different regions of the country) and of providing assistance in the development of projects like BIFF would seem to be paying off.

Some people have been curious to know why Films Division has undertaken to organise this festival. To them our submission is that Films Division has never taken this Festival to be an additional responsibility. We consider it to be an integral part of the film making process, with which we have been deeply involved for more than four decades. In the same spirit with which the reading habit is encouraged, we want to encourage the viewing and study of this genre of cinema. We want to interact with professionals from all over the world to expand our own understanding and skills in the medium.

This event has now become important not only for the growth of Films Division but for that of the documentary, short and animation filmmaking all over the country - and its future potential. The reputation of BIFF has made a major contribution to a significant segment in cinematic endeavor, one which has often been ignored and forced into the position of an outsider.

An evidence of our practical approach to improving this medium can be seen in the amount of cash award we are giving. We started with only three awards, but the success of our first festival encouraged us to add many more. The Festival this time round is offering as many as nine Awards to the close to fifty participating countries. Four main awards are being given away this year, each one offering a Golden Conch plus Rs. 250.000 (approximately $ 10,000). One is for the best non-fiction film of above 40 minutes and another for best non-fiction film of below 40 minutes. The third is for films in the fiction category of below 60 minutes. A fourth new award has been created for the best animation film. There is a special award this year for Animation Films in the one-minute or less category of Rs. 100,000. In addition, there is an International Jury Award of Rs. 100,000. The Ministry of Health and Family Planning has instituted an Award of Rs. 500,000 this year for the best film on the theme of "Family". The Indian Documentary Producer's Association will award a Trophy for the best first film of a director. A Certificate of Merit will be presented to the best film by an international panel of film critics.

 

(VIJAY B. CHANDRA)

FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

January 29th, 1992

Bombay.