IFFI 2023: Prasoon Joshi on 75 creative minds of tomorrow, ‘Storytellers from different parts…’

Odh, a refreshing short film about Goa’s eroding beach frontiers, will receive the Best Film Award at the 54th International Film Festival of India at the ’75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’ (CMOT) ceremony.

The goal of International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which will celebrate its 54th edition in 2023, should inspire creative minds. This is also reflected in the release of the 75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow names, which is taking place for the third time. CBFC chief Prasoon Joshiwith whom a leading poet-lyricist also recently spoke ScreenBox at the ’75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’ film challenge of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.

Speaking to the portal, Joshi said, “We first started CMT in the 75th year of India’s Independence. As I said, it is the Prime Minister’s vision that emerged everywhere in the 75th year, many things, many activities for that across the country. Then we thought: why not implement it at IFFI too? That is why we reached out to young filmmakers (sic).”

“Unless you get storytellers from different parts of our country, you wouldn’t see true diversity represented. Otherwise it becomes very linear and people who get the chance, who live in cities, start making films. So I think we need to make sure we reach the grassroots and let them know about the platforms (sic),” he added.

For those who don’t know, at IFFI 54, around seventy-five young creative talents from across India had to take on the task of making a short film in just 48 hours. ‘Ohhh’ was awarded Best Film at the 54th IFFI’s ’75 Creative Minds of Tomorrow’ event. 19 different Indian states and Union Territories: Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal – are represented among the participants. The Grand Jury and Selection Jury Panels, made up of notable individuals, chose them.

Prasoon Joshi also discussed the first time he watched ‘Guide‘ and the impression the film had on him. He said: “When I was a kid, I think films like Guide had an impact. I’m glad it’s in the restoration of Indian classics at IFFI 2023. Another film ‘Bicycle Thief’ was also important. See, we used to watch movies on Doordarshan. On Saturday we were allowed to watch regional films (sic).”

“Our exposure to world cinema came naturally from Russia and locally, whatever films were released. But I think Doordarshan played a very important role in gaining exposure for good cinema (sic) in our growing up years,” Prasoon Joshi concluded.