Kol to host jury for India's Oscar entry

Time of India

6 hours ago

Kolkata: The president of the Film Federation of India (FFI), the umbrella organization for all major film associations in India, has announced that Kolkata will host the jury meeting to select India's official entry for the 98th Academy Awards.
At its managing committee meeting on Tuesday, the FFI executive committee also opened applications for films seeking nomination in the International Feature Film category. Kiran Rao's 'Laapataa Ladies' was India's official entry for the 97th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category, but it did not make the shortlist.
The FFI will appoint a jury chairperson, along with experienced professionals from creative fields, to form the selection panel.
The final entry will be determined by a vote after all screenings are completed, with the announcement scheduled by late Sept. According to FFI president Firdausul Hasan, the organization has overseen this selection process in India since 1957. "That year, 'Mother India' was the Indian entry," Hasan noted.
The Mehboob Khan film starring Nargis and Sunil Dutt had reached the final five in the Best Foreign Film category.
"Since 1957, there have been two occasions—2019 and 2021—when the jury met in Kolkata. The first was in 2019, chaired by actor-director Aparna Sen. The second was in 2021, with director Shaji Karun as jury chairman," Hasan added.
In 2019, 'Gully Boy' was chosen as India's official Oscar entry, while in 2021, "Koozhangal" (Pebbles) was selected. On both occasions, the jury convened at Bijoli Theatre for screenings and deliberations.
"This year, we plan to hold the meeting at one of Kolkata's multiplexes," he said.
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All applicants must pay Rs 1,25,000 plus GST to FFI for their films to be considered and screened by the jury. "We encourage more filmmakers to participate in the selection process for India's entry this year," Hasan said. When asked if the fee is prohibitive for regional cinema, he explained, "It is necessary to cover logistical expenses."
According to the guidelines, eligible films must be released in India between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. Each film must have a public theatrical run of at least seven consecutive days in a commercial cinema for the benefit of the producer and exhibitor. The Academy also permits films to qualify if they are theatrically exhibited outside their country of origin (excluding the USA and its territories) for at least seven days with paid admission.
Eligible entries must have at least 60% of their content in a local Indian language or dialect. Among other things, submissions must also include a list and synopsis of artists and technicians, an English-subtitled version, details of film festival entries or awards received, and a website or page for the film. Films unreleased as of September 10 this year but seeking Oscar consideration must submit an undertaking and confirmation from the production and distribution company that the film will be released for at least seven days in a theatre before the deadline.
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