Indian Panorama

Indian Panorama
source
Name	Indian Panorama
Caption	Official logo
Location	New Delhi, Goa
Founded	1978
Organizer	Directorate of Film Festivals
Frequency	Annual
Language	Various Indian languages

Indian Panorama

The Indian Panorama is a curated section of the International Film Festival of India showcasing feature and non-feature films from across India selected by the Directorate of Film Festivals in New Delhi. It presents films in multiple languages including Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Marathi and has been associated with venues such as Goa and the Nehru Centre for national screenings. The section highlights creative work by filmmakers associated with institutions like the Film and Television Institute of India, the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, and production houses including NFDC.

Overview

The Panorama functions as a showcase within the International Film Festival of India administered by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and curated by panels drawn from bodies such as the Central Board of Film Certification and juries featuring members from National Film Development Corporation and film schools like Whistling Woods International. Films selected for Panorama often enter circuits tied to events such as the Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Rotterdam Film Festival, and regional events like the Kerala International Film Festival and the Mumbai Film Festival. The Panorama has promoted filmmakers connected to studios such as Eros International, Yash Raj Films, UTV Motion Pictures, and independent producers supported by Film Federation of India.

History

The Panorama emerged in 1978 during the tenure of cultural administrators linked to institutions like the National Film Archive of India and personalities such as Satyajit Ray's contemporaries who shaped post-independence cinema policy. Over decades it intersected with movements represented by directors including Mrinal Sen, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Shyam Benegal, Mira Nair, Aparna Sen, and producers allied with entities like Indian Space Research Organisation-sponsored documentaries and Doordarshan commissions. The section evolved alongside milestones such as the debut of films that later featured at the Cannes Directors' Fortnight and retrospectives of companies like National Film Development Corporation of India and festivals such as the International Film Festival of Kerala and Bangalore International Film Festival.

Selection Process and Criteria

Submissions are evaluated by selection committees constituted under the Directorate of Film Festivals and occasionally by panels chaired by figures from institutions like Film and Television Institute of India and academics from Jawaharlal Nehru University. The criteria reference certification from the Central Board of Film Certification and often prioritize premieres that can travel to showcases such as the London Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festival, San Sebastián International Film Festival, and non-competitive slots at events including the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. Committees historically included members affiliated with organizations such as the Indian Panorama Trust and critics from publications like Filmfare and institutions like the National School of Drama.

Notable Films and Directors

Films and auteurs linked to Panorama selections include works by Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Shyam Benegal, Mira Nair, Aparna Sen, Ritwik Ghatak, Guru Dutt, Bimal Roy, Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Bhardwaj, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Rituparno Ghosh, Girish Kasaravalli, Ketan Mehta, Ramesh Sippy, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Subhash Ghai, Basu Chatterjee, Aditya Dhar, Zoya Akhtar, Vetrimaaran, Santosh Sivan, Shonali Bose, Konkona Sen Sharma, Pa Ranjith, Adoor Gopalakrishnan's contemporaries and documentarists associated with NFDC and the Public Service Broadcasting Trust. Notable Panorama films have included titles that later won accolades at the National Film Awards (India), Filmfare Awards, and international prizes such as the Golden Leopard and Caméra d'Or.

Impact and Reception

Panorama selections have helped launch films into international circuits including Cannes, Berlin, and Venice, amplifying visibility for regional cinemas like Assamese cinema, Manipuri cinema, Odia cinema, Konkani cinema, and Bhojpuri cinema. Critics from outlets such as The Hindu-affiliated reviewers, Indian Express columnists, and magazines like Outlook India have debated the program’s role in promoting diverse auteurs from schools like Film and Television Institute of India and regional industries represented by studios such as Usha International and distributors like PVR Pictures. Distribution partnerships formed with companies such as Dharma Productions and streaming tie-ups with services akin to Hotstar and Netflix have sometimes followed Panorama exposure.

Awards and Festivals Participation

While Panorama itself is a non-competitive showcase within International Film Festival of India, many selections have gone on to receive National Film Awards (India) and honors at festivals including Locarno Film Festival, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, Hong Kong International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, and the Dubai International Film Festival. Filmmakers connected to Panorama have been recipients of civilian honors such as the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan, and industry awards like the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Controversies and Criticisms

The Panorama has faced criticism over perceived biases in selection committees linked to institutions such as the Central Board of Film Certification and allegations of political influence from ministries associated with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Disputes have involved filmmakers who have taken matters to bodies like the Film Federation of India or voiced dissent in publications such as The Times of India and Scroll.in. Debates over transparency, representation of languages recognized by the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India, and the role of state film bodies like the Maharashtra Film and Television Development Corporation have been recurrent in public forums including panels at the Goa Arts and Literature Festival and seminars at Jawaharlal Nehru University.

Category:Film festivals in India Category:Film competitions