Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Anurag Thakur, predicts that India will ascend to the third position in the global media and entertainment sector within the next five years. Speaking at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji, he not only highlighted this projection but also announced a groundbreaking move – the introduction of the best web series OTT award at the festival, acknowledging the transformative role played by original content creators in the country.
Emphasizing the continuation of innovation from the previous year’s edition, Minister Anurag Thakur stressed the importance of recognizing the contribution of OTT platforms, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when traditional sources of entertainment were limited. He noted the current 28% expansion rate of the OTT sector, attributing this growth as a key factor in establishing the new award.
In addition to the recognition of OTT content, Thakur unveiled other firsts for this year’s IFFI, including an expanded “Film Bazaar” with a documentary section to promote non-fiction storytelling and a dedicated VFX and tech pavilion to showcase film industry innovations. The festival will now include the best web series OTT award as a permanent category.
Thakur also introduced “Cine Mela,” a celebration of India’s culture and diversity, along with a section featuring meticulously restored vintage feature films. Seven world premieres of masterpieces restored under the National Film Heritage Mission by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and National Film Archive of India (NFAI) will be showcased. As part of this initiative, 5,000 films and documentaries will undergo digitization and restoration, contributing to the preservation of India’s cinematic heritage.
