OVER 20 FILMS TO BE SCREENED ACROSS FOUR CITIES ~ IIFA JOINS FORCES WITH UNEP TO BATTLE GLOBAL WARMING
Salman Khan Being Human (SKBH) Productions’ first co-production, “Chillar Party”, will be the opening film of the IIFA Film Festival to be held in Toronto, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) announced yesterday. In just a few short weeks, the 12th Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend and the Floriana IIFA Awards will bring the magic and glamour of Asia’s most venerable cinematic festivities to North America for the very first time.
The film “Chillar Party” is a light-hearted but touching comedy that revolves around the lives of seven children each hailing from the various strata’s of society, typical of suburban Mumbai. The movie is a simple and heart-warming peek into the journey of a group of kids who defeat the odds and prove their loyalty to a friend. “Chillar Party” has been co-produced by Ronnie Screwvala and SKBH Productions.
The actor was present at the announcement along with directors, Vikas Bahl and Nitesh Tiwari and UTV CEO, Siddharth Roy Kapoor. Salman Khan, speaking of the film said, “Chillar Party is very close to my heart, the concept appealed to me and the children’s performances were endearing. This is the first film under SKBH Productions and we felt there was no better place to screen the movie than at the IIFA Film Festival. For me, IIFA is home-grounds and it can’t get bigger than IIFA in Toronto.”
This year, IIFA has a special treat in store for its Indo-Canadian fan base, three days of high-octane entertainment and spell-binding motion pictures – the IIFA Film Festival, set to take place at theatres across the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) beginning on 24th June. The IIFA Film Festival began in 2005 to give international audiences in the host country a flavour of Indian Cinema, showcasing some of the biggest blockbusters and films of repute, which have created a mark in the history of Indian Cinema.
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This year, the festival has been designed keeping in mind the Punjabi population across four cities, Toronto, Markham, Brampton and Mississuaga, where the screenings will take place. The assortment of films are a mix of classics and blockbusters from Bollywood, almost 20 of them based in and around Punjab.
This year, the Government of Ontario and Premier Dalton McGuinty have appointed the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel as the charity of choice for support throughout the IIFA Weekend in Toronto in 2011. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Peel is a mentoring organization for children and youth that is committed to providing caring adult relationships for children to promote their healthy development and enhance their self esteem. As figures and role models that children and youth would aspire to, IIFA will be working with Indian film celebrities to be introduced as ‘honorary big brother & big sister’ volunteers.
Mr. Saurabh Dhoot, Director – Videocon group says “We take pride in associating with IIFA for the last 3 Years. IIFA has been a pioneer in taking Indian Cinema globally. This is in keeping with the pioneering status of Videocon d2h in the Indian DTH market through continuous product innovations and use of latest technology to make television viewing a better experience. We have always been setting new precedents in the DTH market. The 3D innovation in DTH space by Videocon d2h has set a new benchmark in the industry. We believe our association with IIFA will be mutually rewarding.”
Partnering with IIFA for the first time, Sanjay Jain, Chairman, Floriana Group said, “It is a great privilege for us to present the Floriana IIFA Awards in Toronto this year. IIFA has taken a long journey around the world since 2000 and the Atlantic shores are a perfect place for the 12th Floriana IIFA Awards. Floriana group has a rich tradition of heritage and quality and have always believed in partnering with like-minded brands. We believe brand IIFA offers us a phenomenal opportunity to deliver relevant messages to our consumers and international partners.”
In keeping with the World Environment Day celebrations, IIFA has tied up with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) further strengthening its commitment to saving the environment. IIFA first partnered with UNEP in 2008, for IIFA in Bangkok where, IIFA launched the Green Globe Foundation, enlisting star power and celebrity voices to help garner support. This year, Public Service Announcements were made where friends of IIFA, Priyanka Chopra and Rahul Bose have pledged to support this cause. Priyanka has pledged to plant one tree for every activity registered in her name, while Rahul has raised the stakes by pledging to plant two trees for every activity registered in his name. In 2011, IIFA continues its support to the green cause partnering with Panasonic for the Greening of IIFA’s.
Speaking on its alliance with IIFA, Mr. Manish Sharma, Director – Marketing, Panasonic India said, “On this special world environment day it is an honor for us to reinforce our commitment towards IIFA, a platform which has continuously recognized excellence in cinema. Our association as the Greening the IIFA’s sponsor provides us with the platform to communicate our philosophy of ‘Eco Ideas’ that champions the cause of a greener environment. The endorsement of the film community which influences public perception towards a greener environment is a significant contribution towards the cause. Panasonic’s relationship with IIFA will facilitate its vision to become the No. 1 Green Innovation Company in the Electronics Industry to gain a celebrity tone insuring the message reaches the entire nation.”
Sabbas Joseph, Director-Wizcraft International Entertainment, said, “IIFA has always used the platform of cinema to build bridges with communities and nations and this year’s IIFA Film Festival will be a wonderful means of enabling audiences in Toronto to experience the colourful exuberance of Indian Cinema. We are pleased to open the festival with the much-anticipated, Chillar Party.”
Videocon d2h will present the IIFA Weekend, while Floriana will sponsor the IIFA Awards for the first time. Rotomac Pens, Lotus Herbal, Grey Goose & PVR Cinemas are the Associate Sponsors of the Videocon D2H IIFA Weekend 2011 and Air India will partner with IIFA as the Official Airlines Partner. The Gitanjali Group is the Associate Sponsor of the Videocon d2h IIFA Weekend.
“Air India celebrates its association with Indian Cinema. Our film industry actors are our cultural ambassadors and we, the national carrier, do take genuine pride in flying them to Toronto for the International Indian Film Academy Weekend and Awards,” says Mr. Arvind Jadhav, Chairman & Managing Director, Air India Ltd. “Air India is proud to be associated as the official travel partner of IIFA, the Oscars of Bollywood,” Mr Jadhav added.
Commenting on Star Network’s seven year association with IIFA, Sanjay Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, STAR India Pvt Ltd said “IIFA is a magnificent celebration of Indian Cinema and over the years has become a landmark annual event for the Indian Film Industry to celebrate its success. Star Plus, the exclusive global broadcast partner of IIFA Awards for the last seven years, enables its viewers to catch the most exciting Indian Film awards extravaganza of the year. Through Star Plus, the 2011 IIFA Awards will reach out to more than 345 million viewers spread over 65 countries across the globe. Our viewers can experience the prestigious IIFA journey through multiple programmes that cover various events and interactions in Toronto – Canada.”
