The much-awaited celebration of unique films from around the world, the 10th Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival, is set to take place from January 15 to 19, 2025 at PVR INOX, Prozone Mall, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. Several national and international artists are to grace the festival.
Organised by the Marathwada Art, Culture and Film Foundation and presented by Nath Group, Mahatma Gandhi Mission and Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, AIFF is endorsed by International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) and Federation of Film Societies of India (FFSI). It is also supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, National Film Development Corporation Ltd., Government of Maharashtra and Maharashtra Film, State and Cultural Development Corporation Ltd. Solitaire Towers and Abhyudaya Foundation are the co-organizers while MGM School of Film Arts is the academic partner and MGM Radio FM 90.8 is the radio partner.
OBJECTIVE
The festival aims to present world-class films to cinema enthusiasts, provide a platform for filmmakers, technicians, artists, and young cinema enthusiasts to exchange ideas and explore the art and craft of filmmaking, Establish Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Marathwada as a cultural centre and production hub on the global stage, promote tourism in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar to attract both national and international visitors, facilitate interactions between talented artists from Marathwada and experts from the film industry and showcase contemporary Marathi cinema at the national and international levels.
Indian Cinema Competition
The five-day festival promises a packed schedule of events. As in previous editions, the Indian Cinema Competition category will feature nine films in various Indian languages. A panel of five national-level jury members will evaluate these films alongside audiences.
The Best Indian Film will be awarded the Golden Kailas Award and a cash prize of ₹1 lakh. Additional awards will recognize the Best Screenplay and the Best Actor (Male/Female) in individual categories.
The jury for the Indian Cinema Competition will be chaired by renowned actress Seema Biswas (Guwahati). The jury panel includes veteran cinematographer C.K. Muraleedharan (Mumbai), senior editor Deepa Bhatia (Mumbai), celebrated director Joe Baby (Kochi), and acclaimed screenwriter and actor Girish Joshi (Mumbai).
The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) will also have a special jury for the festival. FIPRESCI India, known for awarding films of exceptional quality at festivals worldwide, is internationally revered. Their jury will evaluate debut or second films by emerging directors in the festival. The FIPRESCI jury will be chaired by veteran writer and film critic Latika Padgaonkar, with members Shiladitya Sen (West Bengal) and G.P. Ramachandran (Kerala).
Special Screening of Kaliya Mardan, Inauguration, and Lifetime Achievement Award
In celebration of the festival’s 10th anniversary of the festival, the organizing committee has planned a special event for film lovers in Marathwada. The festival will screen Kaliya Mardan, the iconic silent film directed by the father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke, 105 years ago. This screening will recreate the experience of the era when silent films were accompanied by live music. The Kolkata-based orchestra group, Shatabdir Shabda, will present live music during the screening.
The screening will take place at MGM University’s Rukmini Auditorium on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Following this, the inauguration ceremony will commence at 6:00 PM at the same venue.
The festival will be inaugurated by Maharashtra’s Minister of Cultural Affairs, Adv. Ashish Shelar, in the presence of the festival’s honorary chairman, renowned filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker. This year’s Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to eminent author, screenwriter, producer, and director Padma Bhushan Sai Paranjpye for her unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema. The award will be conferred by the Minister of Cultural Affairs.
Dignitaries attending the event include NFDC General Manager D. Ramakrishnan, Swati Mhase Patil, Managing Director,Maharashtra Film, Stage, and Cultural Development Corporation, AIFF Organizing Committee Chairman NandkishoreKagliwal, MGM University Chancellor Ankushrao Kadam, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Vilas Sapkal, Festival Director Sunil Sukthankar, Artistic Director Chandrakant Kulkarni, and Prozone Centre Director & Senior Vice President Kamal R. Soni.
Opening Film: Little Jaffna
After the inauguration ceremony, at 9:00 PM, the festival will screen its opening film, Little Jaffna, a critically acclaimed French-Tamil feature. The festival will then continue for four days at PVR-INOX, Prozone Mall.
Closing Ceremony
The closing ceremony of the festival will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 5:00 PM at PVR-INOX, Prozone Mall. The event will take place in the gracious presence of celebrated choreographer and filmmaker Farah Khan, Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, and the festival’s honorary chairman, renowned filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker.
Following the Golden Kailash Award presentation, the festival will conclude with the screening of the critically acclaimed Persian film The Seed of Sacred Fig, which is also in contention for the Academy Awards 2025.
Masterclasses and Special Lectures
Along with film screenings, the five-day festival will also have a wide range of interesting programs:
Masterclass by Tigmanshu Dhulia:
On Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 12:00 PM, acclaimed director Tigmanshu Dhulia, known for Paan Singh Tomar, Haasil, and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, will conduct a masterclass at PVR-INOX. He will be in conversation with renowned filmmaker DnyaneshZoting.
Ashutosh Gowariker’s Interview:
On Thursday, January 16, 2025, at 6:00 PM, an exclusive interviewof director Ashutosh Gowarikerwill be held on ‘20 Years of Swades’. The interview will be conducted by celebrated theatre and film director Chandrakant Kulkarni at PVR-Inox, Prozone Mall.
Panel Discussion on OTT Cinema:
On Friday, January 17, 2025, at 12:00 PM, a panel discussion on The Changing Face of Cinema on OTT Platforms will be heldwith prominent directors from across India at PVR-Inox.
Discussion on Marathi Language and Cinema:
On Friday, January 17, 2025, at 6:00 PM, a panel discussion on -Marathi Language’s Classical Status and Marathi Cinema will be held. The panellists will include eminent personalities such asrenowned film critic Latika Padgaonkar, actor Subodh Bhave, writer Kshitij Patwardhan, deputy managing director of the Maharashtra Film Corporation Dhananjay Sanvalkar, and director Chandrakant Kulkarni. Festival director Sunil Sukthankar will moderate the session.
Panel on Modern Film Techniques:
On Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 12:00 PM, a panel discussion on The Language of Modern Cinema Techniques will include Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty, cinematographer C.K. Muraleedharan, editor Deepa Bhatia, and director Joe Baby. Filmmaker Jayprad Desai will moderate this session.
Interaction with Indian Cinema Competition Directors:
On Saturday, January 18, 2025, at 6:00 PM, there will be an open discussion with the directors of films competing in the Indian Cinema Competition category at PVR-Inox, Prozone Mall.
· India Focus Directors’ Panel:
On Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 10:00 AM, a discussion with directors from the India Focus section will take place at PVR-Inox, Prozone Mall.
· Masterclass by Farah Khan:
On Sunday, January 19, 2025, at 3:30 PM, renowned choreographer and filmmaker Farah Khan will conduct a masterclass at PVR-Inox, Prozone Mall. She will be in conversation with renowned filmmaker Jayprad Desai.
Filmmaker and Audience Interaction
Directors, cast, and crew of the regional films in the competition section will interact with audiences after the screening of their films.
Marathwada Short Film Competition
To encourage short film creation in Marathwada, a short film competition was organized by AIFF. The competition received enthusiastic participation from all eight districts of the region. The five finalist short filmsfrom this competition will be screened during the festival. The best short film will be awarded a memento and ₹25,000 in cash.
Film Appreciation Workshops
In collaboration with film critics, film appreciation workshops will be conducted across 25 colleges in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar from January 6 to 14, 2025, to encourage maximum student participation.
Delegate Registration
Registration for festival delegates is open. It is an excellent opportunity for film enthusiasts to watch the finest films from India and around the world.The registration and catalogue fees for general public is INR 550 and for students it is INR 350 at discounted price.
How to Register:
Film lovers can register online or in person at the following:
Online: Visit www.aifilmfest.in.
In-person:
o PVR-Inox, Prozone Mall
o Saket Book World, Aurangpura
o Vishal Opticals, Usmanpura
o Nirmik Group, Sutgirni Road
Organizing Committee
Citizens of Marathwada are encouraged to participate in and support the Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival, which aims to place Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on the global cinematic map. For further details, visit www.aifilmfest.in or contact via email at [email protected].
The appeal was made by the festival’s founder and organizing committee chairman NandkishorKagliwal, chief mentor Ankushrao Kadam, honorary chairmanAshutosh Gowariker, Satish Kagliwal, festival director Sunil Sukthankar, artistic director Chandrakant Kulkarni, MGM University Vice Chancellor Dr. Vilas Sapkal, Dr. Aparna Kakkad, Akash Kagliwal, Dr. Ashish Gadekar, AIFF Convener Nilesh Raut, AIFF Creative DirectorsJayprad Desai, DnyaneshZoting, Shiv Kadam, Dr. Rekha Shelke, Prof. Dasu Vaidya, Prerna Dalvi,Dr. Anand Nikale, Shivshankar Phalke, Subodh Jadhav, Dr. Kailas Ambhure, Nikhil Bhalerao, Amit Patil, Suhas Tendulkar, Dr. Sandip Shisode, Kishor Nikam, and Avalkar.
