The 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2018 will be held in country’s southern state, Goa from November 20 to 28.
The 49th edition of the festival will showcase 212 films from over 68 countries which reflects the diversity of taste.
International competition section has 15 films out of which three are Indian. Competition section itself represents films produced and co-produced by 22 countries.
Festival Kaleidoscope section carries 20 critically acclaimed international films that have been to major film festivals and a majority of them being multiple award winners. This is one of the most sought-after sections of the festival that showcases best and top films of the year, said India’s ministry of information and broadcasting in a release.
World panorama section has 67 films which are specially curated for the festival. This includes four world premiers, two international premiers, 15 Asia premiers and 60 India premiers. This year world panorama section presents 15 films which are Oscar submissions from respective countries.
Wild at Heart Master in His Craft: Retrospective section of Ingmar Bergman: 2018 marks the 100 year anniversary of Ingmar Bergman's birth. On this occasion when 100-year Jubilee is in full swing across the globe, IFFI showcases best seven films of his career.
A documentary on Bergman titled ‘Bergman Island’ directed by Marie Nyrerod which presents the master behind the camera has also been included in this section. The official opening of this section is scheduled on November 21 with a panel discussion followed by the screening of ‘Wild Strawberries’.
The festival will open with the world premiere of ‘The Aspern Papers’ with an international star cast. The Aspern Papers tells a story of obsession, grandeur lost and dreams of Byronic adventures.
Every year IFFI features a country of focus that brings out the cinematic excellence and contributions of that particular country. In its 49th edition of IFFI, the country of focus will be Israel. Ten films in collaboration with the Consulate General of Israel in Mumbai, have been selected for the country focus package.
Jharkhand has been selected as the Indian state of focus for the 49th IFFI 2018 and Jharkhand Day will be celebrated on November 24 as part of the festival.
The international competition jury comprises John Irvin, Adrian Sitaru, Polish Director Robert Glinski, Anna Ferraioli Ravel, and Indian member Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra.
A total of 26 feature and 21 non-feature Indian films are selected by the Indian panorama Jury to be screened as part of this section out of the hundreds of entries sent by filmmakers from various parts of the country.
A protestor is detained by the police during a demonstration against the proposed site of the new Chinese Embassy, outside Royal Mint Court, in London. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso. 
