IMPA Aims For Greater Role In Selecting India’s Oscar Entry, Says President Abhay Sinha

Abhay Sinha, the President of the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPA), the largest organization of film producers in India, has called for a greater role in the selection of films representing India at the Oscars.

According to Sinha, IMPA intends to stake its claim in sending official entries to the Academy Awards, marking a significant shift in the current process.

IMPA Joins FIAP, Secures Membership

In a major development, IMPA has secured membership with the Federation International d’Art Photographique (FIAP), the world’s largest organization recognized by UNESCO.

This move, according to Sinha, will enable IMPA to play a crucial role in selecting Oscar entries. The Film Federation of India (FFI) and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) are also members of FIAP.

FIAP, which acknowledges international film festivals worldwide, has recognized only four Indian film festivals—Goa, Kerala, Bangalore, and Kolkata. Sinha emphasized that after IMPA became a member in June 2024, the association would take on the responsibility of sending India’s official entries for the Oscars.

Film Federation’s Track Record Under Scrutiny

Currently, the Film Federation of India (FFI) is responsible for selecting India’s official entry for the Oscars. Every year, a jury is formed to select a film, but the federation’s track record has been under scrutiny.

In the last 97 years of the Academy Awards, only three Indian films—Mehboob Khan’s Mother India (1957), Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay (1988), and Ashutosh Gowariker’s Lagaan (2001)—have reached the final round. The poor strike rate has led to criticism of the selection process.

Sinha’s comments come at a time when Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan’s Laapta Ladies—India’s official Oscar entry—was eliminated in the first round of the competition. This early elimination sparked heated discussions within the industry.

IMPA’s Increasing Influence At International Film Festivals

IMPA’s influence in the global film industry is growing. At the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa, IMPA made a notable presence, organizing a luxury floating cruise that hosted around a thousand people for industry meetings and networking.

This year marked IMPA’s largest participation in the event, where the association also set up a stall at the Film Bazaar, showcasing trailers and posters of several films.

As part of its global outreach, IMPA invited Bertrand Moulier, Senior Advisor on International Affairs from FIAP, to discuss film copyright issues at the festival.

IMPA’s Plans For The Berlin International Film Festival

IMPA is also preparing for a large-scale presence at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, scheduled for February 13-23, 2025. Under Sinha’s leadership, the association plans to bring a significant delegation to the event to promote Indian cinema on a global platform.

Interestingly, Payal Kapadia’s film, despite not being selected for the Oscars by the FFI jury, received two nominations for the prestigious Golden Globe Awards—Best Foreign Language Film and Best Director.

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