Shekhar Kapur Appointed as Festival Director for IFFI 2024-25

Veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, renowned for his works like ‘Masoom’, ‘Mr. India’, and ‘Bandit Queen’, has been appointed as the Festival Director for the 55th and 56th editions of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. The announcement was made by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

Shekhar Kapur has had an illustrious career in filmmaking, with critically acclaimed projects such as ‘Elizabeth’, a British biographical drama that earned him nominations for Best Director at the BAFTAs and Golden Globes, and its sequel, ‘Elizabeth: The Golden Age’ (2007), which won Cate Blanchett her first acting Oscar.

Kapur debuted as a director with the family drama ‘Masoom’ (1983), featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, and a young Jugal Hansraj and Urmila Matondkar. He gained further recognition with the 1987 film ‘Mr. India’, starring Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, and Amrish Puri, which became the second highest-grossing film of that year.

In 2023, Kapur served as the chairperson of the International Competition Jury at the 54th IFFI held from November 20 to 28. His extensive experience and celebrated career in both Indian and international cinema make him a fitting choice for this prestigious role.

Kapur also directed the 2002 epic ‘The Four Feathers’, one of Heath Ledger’s last films, further cementing his versatility and prowess in the filmmaking industry.