The vibrant enthusiasm of youth was the scene at Maquinez Palace during the Closing Ceremony of Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT). For this, an electrifying atmosphere and the intensity of 48 tireless yet unforgettable hours were held in the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

Current IFFI is dedicated to the legends of the past and future. It is celebrating the future of Indian Cinema Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT), which showcased young talent and creative stories crafted in just 48 hours.

Film Gullu – showing delicate relationship between men and technology through an invisible mobile phone- wins big at CMOT.

One of the highlights of the event this year was the 48-Hour Filmmaking Challenge, where participants, divided into five teams of 20 members each, created short films centered around the theme Relationships in the Age of Technology.

The challenge took place from November 21 to 23, 2024, across 12 locations within a 4-kilometer radius of Panjim, which tested the teams creativity and resilience. Commenced from 20th November 2024 the fest is to overall conclude on 28th November 2024.

CMOT has emerged as a leading platform for discovering and nurturing Indias most promising young filmmakers. It marked a significant milestone, with the program expanded to include 100 young talents across 13 filmmaking disciplines.

It is a notable increase from the 75 participants and 10 crafts featured in previous editions. The initiative garnered an overwhelming response, receiving nearly 1,070 entries from across India, showcasing their talents in 13 film-related trades.

This year, the winners of the 48-hour Filmmaking Challenge at CMOT are: Best Film: Gullu; Best Film (Runners-up): We Hear the Same Music; Best Director: Arshaly Jose (for Gullu); Best Script: Adhiraj Bose (Lovepix Subscription); Best Actress: Vishakha Nair (Lovepix Subscription); and, Best Actor: Pushpendra Kumar (for Gullu). These awards for CMOT category only.

Ms. Arshaly Jose, who won the Best Director award, expressed her gratitude, saying, This achievement belongs to my entire team. The script was the true hero of our film, and the moment I read it, I knew we had something special. Working with this exceptional team has been an unforgettable experience.

As the winners were announced amidst an enthusiastic crowd, Carter Pilcher, Founder and CEO of Shorts International, lauded the participants, remarking, the quality and content of the films produced this year are brilliant and outstanding.

Organized in collaboration with UK-based network Shorts International, the 48-Hour Filmmaking Challenge offers a unique opportunity for young filmmakers to test their creativity, storytelling skills and teamwork under intense time constraints. Shorts TV also took on the task of the entire pre-production, production and post production of these films at CMOT.

This year, CMOT has not only celebrated the vibrant talent of young filmmakers but also cemented IFFIs role as a launchpad for these filmmakers.

These young talents were mentored by the previous years CMOT alumni who were invited as CMOT Champions – Chidananda Naik, Akhil Lotlikar, Subarna Dash, Akshita Vohra and Krishna Dusane.

Praising the participants, Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said, To produce such exemplary films within 48 hours under immense pressure is an achievement in itself. Every participant here is a winner. He further emphasized, This year, we have dedicated IFFI to legends- of the past and of the future, represented by the youth of our country. Initiatives like CMOT, Film Bazaar, and the Red Carpet provide a gateway for aspiring filmmakers to realize their dreams.

International Film Festival of India started in 1952. Asia’s most notable film festival is presently being held in Goa every year. It is organized by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of the Government of India and the Goa State Government.

Since its inception in 1952, IFFI has been curating spectacular films from all over the world. Its goal is to provide a single platform for ambitious filmmakers, cineastes, and industry professionals to have access to excellent cinema from across the world.

IFFI is praised by one and all for bringing the film industrys opportunities directly to young filmmakers and actors from across the nation. The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Neerja Sekhar, Special Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting; Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary of Broadcasting and MD, NFDC; Vrunda Desai, Joint Secretary of Films, and Apurva Chandra, former Secretary of the Ministry of I&B. Acclaimed writer and Grand Jury Member Samrat Chakraborty also attended the event.

The Palace of Maquinezes or Palacio dos Maquinezes was built in 1702 and originally belonged to two brothers, Diago da Costa de Ataide e Tieve (a squadron leader) and Cristovam da Costa de Ataide e Tieve, known by the name of Maquinezes.

Today, in its new refurbished design, the Palacio dos Maquinezes is housing the offices of the Entertainment Society of Goa, and the organizational partners of the International Film Festival of India, the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF), and Press Information Bureau (PIB).