New Delhi, June 4 2023; In a significant development, the upcoming Delhi International Film Festival, organized by the local government led by Arvind Kejriwal, is set to present a range of awards, including a prestigious lifetime achievement accolade for outstanding contributions to the world of cinema.

Scheduled to take place in August, the inaugural festival is expected to feature five special awards and an additional ten awards in various categories to recognize excellence in filmmaking, according to a senior official from the Delhi government.

The Delhi government had announced plans to host an international film festival in its Rozgaar Budget for the fiscal year 2022-23. The Tourism department is currently working on the event’s blueprint, which will soon be discussed with Atishi, the minister responsible for the initiative.

The Siri Fort Auditorium in South Delhi has been chosen as the venue for the film festival. The Tourism department has recruited several professionals tasked with curating films from different countries. Additionally, there are discussions about dedicating a special section to films from G20 member countries, as India is hosting the G20 summit this year.

To ensure a fair evaluation process, the government is contemplating the appointment of a seven-member jury, including two members from overseas, to judge the film entries, as revealed by the official.

In a proactive move last year, the Kejriwal government launched the ‘Delhi Film Policy-2022’ with the aim of establishing Delhi as a flourishing center for film production. The policy introduced various measures, such as a Rs 30 crore fund to support producers and a commitment to hosting an international film festival annually.

The film policy’s objectives include promoting artistic and cultural expression, positioning Delhi as a vibrant film shooting destination with streamlined funding and location approval processes, and fostering the development of infrastructure and local talent.