NEWS LETTER

PRESS RELEASE – LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV & AWARDS – WORLD CINE FEST 2021

PUBLISHED ON 25TH DEC 2021

Literature Illusion Film Frames Television & Theatre India known as LIFFT INDIA, established in 2017 by its founder Mr. Riju Bajaj.

The grand finale of the fully online (due to Covid-19 Pandemic) Fifth Edition of Lifft India Filmotsav & Awards-World Cine Fest 2021 concludes with declaration of Awards on 25th Dec 2021.

Awards for Honours, Student Films awards, Music Awards, Feature Film awards, Short film awards and Non Fiction Awards are scheduled to be declared on 25th Dec 2021 @9:30PM (IST). You are requested to follow Lifft India youtube channel to watch the respective slides of the awards declaration.

The year 2021 is marked as a special Tribute to eminent theater director and designer Late.Shri Bansi Kaul.

Lifft Honour 2021 is conferred to Mr. Mahesh Anand for Theater Journalism, Ms.Preeta Mathur Thakur for Theatre, Ms. Sruthy Jayan for Performing arts classical dance-Bharatnatyam and Mr. Kumar Ambuj for Literature.

Lifft India held its second full fledged music awards in memory of Late. Khemchand Prakash. Khemchand is best known for his music for films in Tansen & Mahal which are still fresh in the ears of ardent music lovers of India. Khemchand was also known for providing and discovering new talented musicians and singers such as Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhonsle, Kishore Kumar and Naushad to name a few.

Lifft India acknowledges and honours artistes from across the globe for their continuous and dedicated work in their respective fields and creating works that carry social messages and touch issues which require remedial concerns.

There are over 475 officially selected films in various categories from over 55 countries that are further shortlisted for nominations in over 100 categories for Lifft India Awards 2021.

There were over 75 student short films from 50 prominent film institutes from around the world. As we know that student filmmakers are the ones who bear the torch of excellence in cinema and are very important and integral for the evolution of cinematic technologies and storytelling formats for the coming years.

Short films and documentary films have suddenly found good space on digital platforms. Short films are providing an opportunity to filmmakers to explore and display their talent and exhibit some unique stories which seldom find space in feature length films. Short films have also become a tool for testing stories that have a potential of turning into a feature length film. It also works as a show reel for young and debutant directors and writers, and actors get to play characters which they miss playing on stage for theater.

There were films from over 175 debut directors from around the world in various categories and mainly in short films.

The internet, and the internet has paved the way for new digital content, especially web series. it is serving as a platform for content that is in between feature films and satellite television serials. The period during Covid 19 pandemic saw a steep rise in consumption of entertainment content available on the internet i.e web.

There are over 100 categories of Lifft India Awards and some are specially dedicated and named after the eminent film personalities as a mark of tribute to Renu Saluja, Ismail Merchant, Khemchand Prakash, Samir Chanda, V.K.Murthy and Om Puri. The Om Puri award for best actor is in conjunction with Om Puri Foundation.

New addition for best sound design has been named in memory of Late.Mangesh Desai was instituted in 2019. Lifft India is obliged and expresses gratitude to his daughter Ms. Sucheta Lad for having granted consent to institute this award in his memory by Lifft India.

Extensive Online Q&A sessions, interviews and Panel Discussions will be conducted with the participating filmmakers and actors from around the world.

All the Q&A sessions and the interactive sessions of the previous year are also available on our Lifft India youtube channel and can be accessed anytime around the globe free of charge. Please subscribe to Lift India youtube channel for regular updates on all events held by Lifft India.

Lifft India has also put up a digital exhibition on its website for paintings and photographs focusing on the young and dynamic approach,towards the Painters & Artists around the world. The paintings can be purchased by ardent art lovers.

Lifft India expresses gratitude to Fariyas Resort for their unconditional support, and a very special vote of thanks to our media partners ‘The Dialogue’ digital media partner and ‘Cinestaan’ digital media partner and thanks the entire team of Lifft India for their continuous attachment and commitment.

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Dated: 3rd DEC 2018

PRESS RELEASE LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV-WORLD CINE FEST 2018

‘Literature Information, Film Frame Television & Theatre India’ LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV – WORLD CINE FEST 2018 is the Second Edition of LIFFT INDIA AWARDS & FILMOTSAV established in 2017. Cinema is incomplete without other allied art forms such as painting, theatre, dance, music etc. and therefore these allied art forms are included to be showcased individually alongside the film screenings keep up the spirit and the very essence of Lifft India as a slogan.

An incredible response from the independent film maker’s fraternity has lapped up the second edition of the LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV-WORLD CINE FEST 2018 which shall screen 120 films, from 30 countries, in 27 languages and will introduce 47 debut directors between 6th Dec – 10th Dec at Fariyas Resort, Lonavla.

There will be live short plays, music concert, book readings/discssions and Masterclass/Conversation Sessions with the film makers & eminent actors and the festival will be attended by Rahul Rawail, Govind Nihalani, Atul Kumar, Sridhar Rangayan, Ananth Mahadevan, Mumtaz Khan, Vivek Sharma, Girish Pardeshi, Seema Azmi, Aseem Bajaj, Pia Benegal, and many others. The HOT SEAT conversation with Vani Tripathi Tikoo, Ajay Brahmatmaj and Tanu Mehta will be moderated by Riju Bajaj The book reading will feature Sushmita Mukherjee, Lt.Gen.Zameer Uddin Shah, Abhiram Bhadkamkar, Shivani Tibrewala and master class sessions will feature Nayani Dixit, Priyata Dixit daily between 6pm to 9pm. The short plays will be performed by Seema Azmi, Jayant Gadekar, Girish Pardeshi, Azhar Alam, Vidyanidhi Banarse and Shyam Kishore. The conversation sessions will be conducted and moderated by Nandita Puri, Ajay Brahmatmaj and Riju Bajaj.

Lifft india will also showcase a small painting exhibition of upcoming young and dynamic painters Mr. Aditya Singh.

Lifft India Repertory will present a fashion show spear headed by Farhan Qureshi – Mr. National Universe, Ali Mohammad – Former Mr. Pune and tele-star Romit Raj exclusively featuring the designs of eminent bollywood fashion designer Mr. Mumtaz Khan.

LIFFT INDIA starts with recognising and felicitating Mr.Rahul Rawail with Life Time Achievement LIFFT INDIA Award 2018 for his overall contribution to International Cinema. The award shall be presented on 6th Dec 2018 during the opening ceremony.

Lifft India Honour for overall contribution for theatre in India is conferred to Mr. Atul Kumar.

Lifft India Honour for overall contribution for Fine Arts [FRAME] in India is conferred to Mr. Sunil Kandalloor for his wax sculptures and museum.

Lifft India Honour for Literature & film journalism is conferred to Mr. Arvind Kumar for his extensive work as the creator of India’s first Thesaurus on Hindi known as “Samaantarkosh” and for being the founder editor of India’s first reputed film magazine “Madhuri” in hindi.

Lifft India Award are specially dedicated and named after the eminent film personalities as a mark of tribute to Renu Saluja, Ismail Merchant, Khemchand Prakash, Samir Chanda, V.K.Murthy and Om Puri. The Om Puri award for best actor is in conjunction with Om Puri Foundation.

Opening Ceremony on 6th Dec at 6pm will be celebrated with Opening film – A Game Called Relationship directed by Mr. Vivek Sharma. The screening will start at 7pm.

The Closing Film – ‘Evening Shadows’ directed by Sridhar Rangayan followed by Lifft India Awards 2018 distribution will mark the closing ceremony on the 10th Dec at 7pm.

LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV 2018 has received films from over 45 countries in various languages with English subtitles. From 240 officially selected films only 123 films will be screened due to time availability. Most of these films are incidentally by first time directors and are looking for marketing avenues. Lifft India Filmotsav has proven itself to be the new platform for young and new talent in the entertainment industry.

A bouquet of Feature Films, Short Films, Micro Short Films, Student Films, Children’s Films, Music Videos, Green Films and Documentaries will enthral the audience at Fariyas Resort Lonavla. Fariyas Resort is pride of Lonavla and an iconic five star Hotel in Lonavla. Special screening for children’s films will be done on 9th Dec from 10am onwards in Monarch Hall.

Lonavla is fast emerging as a compact smart city in its own way. Having advantages of being in-between Mumbai and Pune it enjoys access from the airports and railway stations of both the cities. Lonavla is among the best and busiest holiday destinations in Maharashtra and gets maximum footfall of tourists on weekends. These very tourists are in fact the art lovers and film buffs and the best audience. And its time that all the creative people of Mumbai take a season off to become part of LIFFT INDIA. In addition to this, Lonavla has a potential of becoming the final destination for Bollywood.

Lonavla is also a writer’s paradise. Most of the successful Indian films have been written and shot in Lonavla. Lonavla is also second home to most of the Bollywood celebrities.

Hosting a film festival is very important tool in educating and spreading social awareness because it brings the films and film makers on one platform to reach out to people of a given place who are possibly the catalysts to bring social change.

Any ardent film lover who is interested and wants to bombard themselves with over 120 fantastic films from 30 countries in various languages between 6-10th Dec 2018 and interact with the film makers at LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV 2018 can book online Free delegate season pass via www.lifftindia.com

LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV announced the list of Officially selected films and films selected for screenings for LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV 2018 on 15th Oct via its website www.lifftindia.com

If you like Lifft India Filmotsav, please feel free to hangout at Fariyas resort or volunteer or donate to support the endeavor to promote arts and culture in India.

Please visit URL https://lifftindia.com/?page_id=26848 for events schedule

1ST SEPT 2017

PRESS RELEASE: LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV-WORLD CINE FEST 2017 INTRO – OPENING CEREMONY:

Lonavla’s premiere film festival Lifft India Filmotsav-World Cine Fest is an annual initiatiative conceptualized and founded by Riju Bajaj to introduce global cinema to lonavla. Being a tourist destination and regular place to anchor writers for creative output by the producers, lonavla seemed to be the most promising destination to create yet another pad for international film festival in India.

Starting on the minimum budget available at individual level, Riju found business partners in Dr.Anamika Sharma stepping in as co-founder to put forward a small step in the direction of establishing a platform for the young and professional film makers. They have previously gifted away to lonavla its first ever international film festival in 2016. LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV-WORLD CINE FEST is their second gift with a punch of cultural carnival to Lonavla.

Fariyas Resort is an exotic venue for Lifft India Filmotsav-world cine fest which provides most of the facilities under one roof such as, film exhibition in banquet hall, function/ceremonies, filmy nukkad in banquet hall to host Q&A sessions get together of film financiers, distributors etc. Lifft India Filmotsav is striding towards providing helping hand to market films by acting as a bridge between the film makers and distributors etc. Lifft India Filmotsav shall cater to all genre of film crafts and universal audience without any prejudice for a particular type of cinema. Lifft India encapsulates films ranging from typical art house festival cinema to commercial cinema and short films, student films, children’s films and documentaries & green films. Lifft India Filmotsav has also extended its effort to compliment the film makers through establishing Lifft India Awards & Honour to commemorate individual film makers and technicians. Lifft India has established awards in the name and memory of Om Puri, Ismail Merchant, Khemchand Prakash, V.K. Murthy, Renu Saluja, Sameer Chanda. There are over 35 categories for Lifft India Awards & Honours.

Lifft India is obliged and privileged to receive positive support from its Jury members, selection panel and guest of honours who have come forward to help establish Lifft India Filmotsav on honorary basis without charging their professional fees. This generous support reflects the true potential of Lifft India Filmotsav’s establishment and reason to exist. Lifft India thanks these generous film professionals who have put their faith and trust in it to nurture a new platform for the growth of film fraternity in near future. Lifft India has also received voluntary support from Indo Asian News Service, Ask World Studios, Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company, Hotel Neat Space, Vyner Resort, Ipitch.Tv, Cinestaan.com and individuals to felicitate online promotions and smooth operation at ground level. Lifft India is over whelmed by such supports and volunteers. Lifft India also thanks the DFF and I&B ministry to help in issuing waiver for censor certificate to exhibit new films. Apart from utilizing small budget available with the Lifft India founder members, support from donors, courtesy sponsors and financial sponsors are welcome to help Lifft India Filmotsav become independent and self financing in the coming years.

‘What’s in a Name’ And ‘To Be or not to Be’ That will always be a question. But the Show must go on, no matter what happens.

With LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV, Team Lifft India plans to host more elaborate and longer duration of the festival inclusive of television, theatre, paintings, music from across the globe and increase the number of days and screens in the subsequent years. Lifft India Filmotsav also intends to grow its reach in other cities as well by launching its ‘Sattellite Festival’. Lifft India intends to host master classes, contests, and film training short course classes, film appreciation course and help in raising funds for film writing and production etc. in the subsequent years depending upon the positive response received from the film fraternity and local people of Lonavla and especially Fariyas Resort without whose support Lifft India would be homeless.

We look forward to people’s support by donations and corporate sponsorships to throttle us ahead with Lifft India Filmotsav organized by Riju Bajaj Media & Entertainment.

Some other interesting details about Lift India Filmotsav 2017- World Cine Fest:-

86 films in all from 20 countries in over 30 languages will be screened at regal and Monarch banquet halls.

Lifft India Filmotsav is proud to have received films from Iran, USA, Canada, UK, Australia,Portugal, Argentina, Greece, Japan, China, Russia, Chille, Italy, France, Spain, Columbia, Germany, South Africa, Belgium, Hungary, Brazil, Israel, Turkey,

India – Mumbai, Pune, Assam, Punjab, Chennai, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Bengal, Gujarat,

Over 300 entries were received from 37 countries for feature films, children’s films, short films, student films, Green films & Documentaries, web series and music videos.

120 films have been officially selected and which is further shortlisted to screen 86 films inclusive of feature films, children’s films, short films, student films, Green films & Documentaries under competition category between 1st – 5th sept 2017.


Lifft India Filmotsav will screen :-

30 Feature films including children’s films

17 Indian Short films

13 International Short Films

11 Student short films

8 Documentary films

5 Green films [docus]

There are 55 first time directors among the officially selected 120 films.

Best
Riju Bajaj
Founder – Lifft India Awards & Filmotsav – World Cine Fest

25th August 2017

Press Release – : LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV 2017

LIFFT stands for Literature Information, Film Frame Tv & Theatre.
 
LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV 2017 is the First Edition of LIFFT INDIA AWARDS & FILMOTSAV. Riju is trying to nourish the art of cinema and other allied art forms and keep it going ahead by way of promoting through LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV.
 
The overwhelming response from the international film fraternity has lapped up the first edition of the LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV 2017 which shall screen over 85 filmsbetween 1st sept – 5th sept at Fariyas Resort in Lonavla.  
 
Lifft India Filmotsav 2017 is dedicated to Late Shri Om Puri for his immense contribution to Indian cinema. There will be Conversation Sessions with the film makers & eminent actors and the festival will be attended by Tanuja, Manoj Bajpayee, Vipin Sharma, Leena Yadav, Vani Tripathi Tikoo, Ashwini Chaudhary, Govind Nihalani, Suman Ganguly, Sunaina Bhatnagar, Raja Sen, Baharul Islam, Sohan Thakur, Aseem Bajaj, Pia Benegal,  Omkar Kapoor, Rajit Kapur, Meeta Vasishth and many others.
 
There will also be a book launch, book reading, play reading, story telling, dance performance, music concert, conversations and master class sessions during the opening & closing ceremonies and daily between 11am to 2pm by Rajit Kapoor, Meeta Vasishth, Rujuta Soman, Vidya Shah, Leslie Lewis, Preeta Mathur Thakur, Ashique Hussain, Girish Pardeshi, Danish Hussain to name a few. The sessions will be conducted and moderated by Riju Bajaj, Nandita Puri and Atul Tiwari.
 
Lifft india will also showcase a small painting exhibition of upcoming young and dynamic painters Ms. Shibani Sehgal and Rahul Chaudhury along with the photo exhibition of the master photographer Mr. Fawzan Hussain.
 
LIFFT INDIA starts with recognizing and felicitating Late Mr. Ismail Merchant with Life Time Achievement LIFFT INDIA Award 2017 for his overall contribution to International Cinema. The award shall be presented by LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV 2017 Chief Guest Ms. Leena Yadav on 1st sept 2017 during the opening ceremony. LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV will also showcase Retrospective of Ismail Merchant and Om Puri films. 
 
Ms. Leena Yadav and Mr. Omkar Kapoor will be inaugurating the LIFFT INDIA Trophy. There are over 35 various Lifft India Award & Honour categories.
 
Lifft India Award are specially dedicated and named after the eminent film personalities as a mark of tribute to Renu Saluja, Ismail Merchant, Khemchand Prakash, Samir Chanda, V.K.Murthy and Om Puri. The Om Puri award for best actor is in conjunction with Om Puri Foundation.
 
Opening Ceremony on 1st sept at 6pm will be celebrated with kathak fusion performance by Rujuta Soman, short Solo play by Rajit kapoor. The Opening film is PARCHED. The screening will start at 3pm. Ms. Leena Yadav has confirmed to walk in with her film’s team on the red carpet.
 
The closing film TI ANI ITAR directed by legendary Govind Nihalani will be screened at 4pm on the 5th sept. The Closing Ceremony will witness a semi classical live musical concert by Vidya Shah before the award distribution on the 5th sept at 6pm.
 
LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV 2017 has received films from over 35 countries in various languages with English subtitles. Most of these films are incidentally by 55 first time directors and are looking for marketing avenues. Lifft India Filmotsav therefor is the new platform for young and new talent in the entertainment industry.
 
A bouquet of Feature Films, Short Films, Student Films, Children’s Films, Green Films and Documentaries will enthral the audience at Fariyas Resort Lonavla. Fariyas Resort is pride of Lonavla and an iconic five star Hotel in Lonavla. Special screening for children’s films will be done on 3rd sept from 10am onwards. All films will be screened at Regal and Monarch banquet halls where special screens etc. have been installed to provide professional experience of film screenings.
  
Lonavla is fast emerging as a compact smart city in its own way. Having advantages of being in-between Mumbai and Pune it enjoys access from the airports and railway stations of both the cities.  Lonavla is among the best and busiest holiday destinations in Maharashtra and gets maximum footfall of tourists on weekends. These very tourists are in fact the art lovers and film buffs and the best audience. And its time that all the creative people of Mumbai take a season off to become part of LIFFT INDIA. In addition to this, Lonavla has a potential of becoming the final destination for Bollywood. 
 
Lonavla is also a writer’s paradise. Most of the successful Indian films have been written and shot in Lonavla. Lonavla is also second home to most of the Bollywood celebrities.  
 
LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV intends to travel around the world with its bouquet of films.
 
Hosting a film festival is very important tool in educating and spreading social awareness because it brings the films and film makers on one platform to reach out to people of a given place who are possibly the catalysts to bring social change.
  
Any ardent film lover who is interested and wants to bombard themselves with over 85 fantastic films from 20 countries in various languages between 1-5th sept 2017 and interact with the film makers at LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV 2017 can book online Free delegate season pass via www.lifftindia.com
 
LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV announced the list of Officially selected films and films selected for screenings  for LIFFT INDIA FILMOTSAV 2017 on 15th august via its website www.lifftindia.com
 
If you like Lifft India Filmotsav, please feel free to hangout at Fariyas Resort or volunteer or  donate to support the endeavour to promote films, arts and culture in India.
  
Best
Riju Bajaj
Founder – Lifft India Awards & Filmotsav – World Cine Fest