The 6th edition of International Science Film Festival of India (ISFFI) has been unprecedented in many a way. Despite the disruptions caused by COVID pandemic, ISFFI 2020 received the 
highest number of entries from India and abroad, breaking all previous records. To add another feather, star of the millennium Amitabh Bachchan, internationally acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, and noted wildlife filmmaker Mike Pandey are going to address the award ceremony, to be held online on December 25, 2020.
ISFFI is an important component of India International Science Festival (IISF) which is organized every year. IISF is jointly organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Vigyan Bharti.
This year the mega science festival is being coordinated by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). National Institute of Science Technology and Development Studies (NISTADS) is the nodal agency of the event. The Department of Science and Technology (DST)’s autonomous organization Vigyan Prasar is coordinating the film festival part.
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Dr Nakul Parashar, Director, Vigyan Prasar said “This time the event has successfully emerged as a global platform for science filmmakers, 634 entries from 60 countries is a strong proof of this. Apart from India, filmmakers and experts from United Kingdom, Switzerland, Israel, Germany and Netherlands are addressing the master classes on important aspects of film production. Apart from this, science films from across the globe have been screened online during the festival. Germany’s World renowned institutions like Deutsche Welle and Discovery Channel are also participating in the event.”
Nimish Kapoor, Principal Coordinator of ISFFI and Senior Scientist, Vigyan Prasar told “The jury has selected 209 films from 32 countries for screening; these include science documentaries, short films and animation videos. Apart from India, films from Switzerland, Israel, Chile, France, Belgium, Austria, Afghanistan, Iran, China, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands, Germany, United Kingdom, and Taiwan have made it to the festival this year.” He also informed that the awards winning film would be announced by renowned filmmakers Shekhar Kapur and Mike Pandey on December 25.
ISFFI is organised every year to popularize science and public dissemination of science through the popular medium of films. Owing to the global pandemic situation, the festival this year is being conducted virtually.Minister of Science and Technology, Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Minister of Earth Sciences Dr Harsh Vardhan had inaugurated the festival on 22 December. (India Science Wire)
