Goa/Patna: The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began in Goa today with a grand celebration attended by filmmakers, directors, actors and film industry professionals from across the world. The festival once again showcased the diversity of world cinema, advanced film technology and India’s cultural richness, which has become a hallmark of IFFI. The opening day reflected a mix of glamour, creativity and international collaboration as guests arrived to participate in one of the world’s most prominent film events.
Among the major highlights of the first day was the pavilion of the Bihar State Film Development Corporation (BSFDC), which received exceptional attention. From the very beginning of the day, a large number of filmmakers, producers, directors, actors and film technicians from India and abroad visited the Bihar Pavilion. They admired the state’s unique shooting locations, natural landscapes, rivers, mountains, historical monuments and cultural diversity. Many delegates said that Bihar has the potential to become “India’s film hub” and offers extraordinary possibilities for global film production.
Visitors also appreciated the Bihar Film Policy, which provides attractive subsidies for film projects, single-window clearance for permissions, administrative support for shooting, and encouragement for regional artists and technicians. Several international filmmakers expressed their desire to shoot their upcoming films in Bihar after learning about the state’s support system. Well-known personalities including theatre and Hindi cinema actor Manoj Joshi and directors Pan Nalin, Rima Das, and Raviraj Patel were among those who visited the pavilion on the opening day.
Officials of the Bihar State Film Development Corporation shared detailed information with guests about the film policy, shooting location catalogue, upcoming projects and government schemes. Ajay Kumar Singh, Information and Public Relations Officer of the Department of Arts, Culture and Youth, along with Arvind Das, film consultant Gaurav Kumar and SO Komal Kumar Mahato, participated in welcoming delegates and responding to queries. The continuously increasing crowd at the pavilion suggests that Bihar is strengthening its place in both national and international cinema. The Bihar Pavilion has already become a centre of attraction at IFFI, and more big names from the film industry are expected to visit in the coming days.
