Third International Gujarati Film Festival (IGFF) comes to Atlanta
The Third Vadilal International Gujarati Film festival (IGFF), supported by Gujarat Tourism, took place here in Atlanta, Georgia during May 20-22, 2022 and rocked the local Gujarati community. Mustafa Ajmeri, the chief coordinator of the festival, made the event a huge success with his dynamic team.
(L to R) Jay Vasavda, Kaushal Acharya, Ishani Dave, RJ Devki, Pooja Jhaveri, Tusharika Rajguru, Umesh Shukla.
IGFF aspires to elevate Gujarati cinema from local to global level. The event promoted Gujarati cinema on a scale that was never seen before on an international level. The one-of-a-kind event brought professional and amateur filmmakers together to celebrate the evolving world of Gujarati cinema. From reminiscing on the rural life to melodramatic modern youth, from fun and rigor of everyday relationships to fierce valor of our martyrs, IGFF showcased the culture and art of Gujarat to the world.
The event was attended by prominent members of the local Atlanta community as well as the Who’s Who of Gujarati films. IGFF festival director Umesh Shukla, jury members Gopi Desai and Jay Vasavda, along with celebrities like Ishani Dave, Pooja Zaveri, Chetan Dhanani, RJ Devki, filmmaker Niraj Joshi, and writer-director of The Last Film Show Pan Nalin graced the red-carpet opening event.
[Right] (L to R) Rashaana Shah, Mustafa Ajmeri, Jonty Raval
[Bottom] Pan Nalin with Khyati Nayak
The organizing committee decorated the theater lobby and set up the beautiful stage with a red carpet. They also arranged a “Swarn Gujarat Mela” where posters from classic Gujarati films were exhibited along with stalls of clothing and food items.
(L to R) Chetan Dhanani, Gopi Desai, Pan Nalin, Umesh Shukla, Jay Vasavada, RJ Devki.
On the second day, all three movie theaters were busy screening movies all day long till late at night. The grand award and closing ceremony on the night of May 22 was an amazing milestone for the Gujarati community of Atlanta. Pan Nalin’s The Last Film Show won the Best Film.
Dr. Naresh Parikh served as Chair, IGFF; Padma Bhushan Dr. Jagdish Sheth as Co-Chair, IGFF; and Dr. Asha Parikh served as Chair, Awards & Banquet Gala to host this very successful event with the support and ideas of IGFF founder and event producer Kaushal Acharya.
The closing ceremony had a nice panel discussion on the future of the Gujarati film industry where all the visiting dignitaries participated.
Third Vadilal International Gujarati Film Festival was organized in Atlanta.
International Gujarati Film Festival (IGFF) 2022 Winners List:
- Best Film - The Last Film Show (Chhello Show) directed by Pan Nalin
- Best Film Jury Mention - Kothi 1947 and 21 Mu Tiffin (two winners)
- Best Children Film - Gandhi & Co.
- Best Documentary Film - Okhamandal - EkAnokhu Andolan
- Best Short Film - Parnetarr from Saurastra ni Rasdhar
- Best Web series - Vitthal Teedi (on OHO platform)
- Best Web Series Jury Mention - Yamraaj Calling ( on Shemaroo platform)
- IGFF Icon of the year - Paresh Rawal
—With reporting contribution from Chetan Chauhan
Photo credits by SFA Productions
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