GOA, November 27, 2025: The International Competition Jury held a press conference today at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), with esteemed members of the global film fraternity in attendance. This year, there were 15 film entries in the competition, including 3 Indian films. The panel was chaired by celebrated filmmaker Rakesh Omprakash Mehra, alongside jury members editor and director from USA Graeme Clifford,; German actress Katharina Schüttler; Sri lankan filmmaker Chandran Rutnam; and cinematographer Remi Adefarasin.
Jury Applauds Diversity and Children-Centric Stories
In his opening remarks, Rakesh Omprakash Mehra expressed gratitude to the festival authorities for organizing the event and highlighted the opportunity to learn from a highly qualified international jury. Speaking about the films in the competition, he remarked on the originality and diversity of entries from across the globe, noting how each film stood out with a distinct visual and narrative style.
During the media interaction, Rakesh Omprakash Mehra remarked that cinema reflects life, particularly in highlighting children as central figures and ambassadors in storytelling. On the topic of AI in cinema, he noted that while technology may influence jury processes in the future, AI cannot replicate human emotions, which remain central to filmmaking.
Graeme Clifford appreciated the festival’s opening parade and the diversity of films, emphasizing that many entries came from independent filmmakers rather than major OTT platforms. He noted the significance of originality for the future of cinema and highlighted several films addressing children’s issues, reflecting global social challenges.
Katharina Schüttler expressed her gratitude for being part of the jury, praising the variety of films showcased and the festival’s support for filmmakers. She also commended the festival’s masterclasses, which offered valuable insights into both technical and artistic aspects of filmmaking.
Jury Finds Selection Process Challenging
Chandran Rutnam shared that the process of selecting the best films was highly rewarding. While discussions sometimes reached points of disagreement, the jury ultimately arrived at fair and considered decisions.
Remi Adefarasin described the festival as “fantastic” and acknowledged the challenge of selecting a single standout film, as each entry was remarkable in its own way. He expressed a desire to shoot a film in India in the future.
Gender Equality in Filmmaking
On women’s representation in cinema, the jury observed that female participation has significantly increased over the past 4–5 decades. However, they emphasized that while evaluating films, the focus remains on the content rather than the gender of the filmmaker, acknowledging that men and women approach storytelling with equal sensitivity to social issues.
The press conference concluded with all jury members expressing their appreciation to the festival organizers for an exceptional event and sharing their hopes for the continued growth and global recognition of IFFI.
