- Malhar Thakar, Yash Soni and other Gujarati stars will grace the opening day
- Through a range of awards – Best Documentary, Best Short Film, and Best Web Series – the festival provides filmmakers with invaluable opportunities to connect with industry professionals and stay abreast of international cinematic trends: Gopi Desai, Festival Jury
- This year we are celebrating our opening red-carpet event at the iconic Sydney Opera House: Jay Vasavada, Festival Jury
GOWRI MANICKAVASAGAM
AHMEDABAD, APRIL 11
Having taken the Gujarati cinema from local to global level through four editions, the highly anticipated 5th edition of the Gujarati cinematic cultural extravaganza, the International Gujarati Film Festival (IGFF), will be held in Sydney, Australia for three days from June 28 to 30, announced Umesh Shukla, The Festival Director and Indian film Director-producer-writer here at the curtain-raiser event.
Speaking with the media, Umesh Shukla said, “The 5th edition of the International Gujarati Film Festival aims to elevate Gujarati cinema to unprecedented heights. Over three days, our festival endeavors to showcase the richness of Gujarati cinema on a global platform like never before. We would like to call the NRG younger generation abroad and see our films. I’ll be having one master-class on direction at the festival. With holding workshops by experts from Gujarati film industry, we will be able to compete with Hindi and Southern cinema industry.”
The Festival Jury Gopi Desai said, “The first Gujarati movie, Narsinh Mehta, was released on April 9, 1932. It is ripe time to celebrate the achievements of Gujarati film industry. By highlighting the immense talent within the Gujarati film industry, we aim to bring recognition to a community that has often been overlooked. Through a range of awards – Best Documentary, Best Short Film, and Best Web Series – the festival provides filmmakers with invaluable opportunities to connect with industry professionals and stay abreast of international cinematic trends.”
Jay Vasavada, Festival Jury, said, “In the annals of regional film industry of the country, The 5th edition of the International Gujarati Film Festival will be staged in global level is a great achievement and moment proud for us. This year we are celebrating our opening red-carpet event at the iconic Sydney Opera House. The highest ever milestone to achieve every year, and to bring our culture, and our cinema to the Gujarati diaspora and to the world.”
Kaushal Acharya, the festival’s founder, says, “It has been our endeavour to showcase the potential of Gujarati cinema to our diaspora and potential investors in Australia this year.”
Kaushal Parikh, Sydney-based Festival Alliance Partner, said, “I have been residing and holding many cultural events in Sydney for over 20 years. With the stage set for its 5th edition in the vibrant city Sydney, IGFF is poised to deliver an extraordinary cinematic experience to the audiences from across the Australia and New Zeeland. Film enthusiasts, industry professionals, and community members are expected to travel far and wide to participate in this extraordinary celebration of Gujarati culture.”
Other Juries Storm Ashwood and Deven Bhojani also spoke at length on the significance of this festival.
Following the remarkable success of last year’s festival at Chicago, the Gujarati diaspora in Australia is eagerly awaiting the festival’s arrival. Sydney was chosen due to its high demand and various compelling reasons that make it an ideal location to host this grand celebration of Gujarati cinema. The biggest attraction of the Grand opening evening is the venue at Sydney.
IGFF has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, attracting overwhelming responses in each of its previous editions. The festival was previously held in New Jersey in 2018, Los Angeles in 2019, and made a triumphant return in Atlanta, GA after a gap in 2022, and Chicago in 2023. the festival drew in more than 5,000 attendees every year.
The Governor of New Jersey, Phil Murphy, even acknowledged the significance of IGFF, mentioning it on the official website of the State of New Jersey. This recognition underscores the festival’s importance and its contribution to the promotion of Gujarati cinema on an international stage.
The festival’s biggest attraction will be the presence of renowned actor Boman Irani, Deven Bhojani as distinguish guest. Our own Malhar Thakar, Yash Soni and other Gujarati stars who will grace the opening day.
Their expertise and discerning eye will ensure that the festival presents the best of Gujarati cinema to the audience.
