The Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), the oldest and one of the most prestigious film bodies in India, is set to make waves at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa. In a historic initiative led by IMPPA President Shri Abhay Sinha and his dedicated team, the association has secured a luxurious three-storey yacht as its exclusive pavilion for the event.
This state-of-the-art floating venue, parked opposite the Marriott in Goa, offers a 200-seat LED-screen-equipped banquet space, a dedicated press conference area, trailer launch facilities, and even a party hall with a dance floor and swimming pool. The yacht will serve as a vibrant hub for celeb-studded events, press interactions, muhurats, masterclasses, and networking opportunities for the film fraternity.

The IMPPA pavilion at the 55th IFFI will offer masterclasses by top industry experts, including the FIAPF head, on legal rights, IPR, copyright, and screenwriting. It will also serve as a platform for trailer launches, muhurats, and networking opportunities, fostering global collaborations and showcasing Indian cinema to international audiences.

Speaking on this initiative, Yusuf Shaikh, Senior IMPPA representative and International Film Festival Committee head, remarked, “IFFI Goa Yacht Pavilion is a game-changer for our producers and filmmakers. It provides them a glamorous yet professional platform to present their work, engage with audiences, and connect with key players from around the world. We aim to empower our members by offering them innovative opportunities to grow and thrive in the global film industry.”

IMPPA extends its gratitude to the NFDC, ESG, and IFFI for their invaluable support in making this ambitious vision a reality.Yusuf Shaikh is a veteran producer and distributor with over  years of experience in the Indian film industry, having worked on more than 100 films. He began his career with blockbuster hits like Mohra, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, and Suhaag before joining Percept Pictures as its head, where he distributed numerous National Award-winning films, including Page 3, Traffic Signal, Dor, Phir Milenge, and Kanchivaram.

As an adviser to studios like Drishyam Films, Yusuf has marketed and distributed acclaimed films such as Newton (India’s 2017 Oscars entry), Kadvi Hawa, Halka, and Hotel Salvation (Mukti Bhawan). He also collaborated on projects by Ram Gopal Varma and Bharat Shah Films. As a writer, he penned the story for Nagesh Kukunoor’s Dhanak, which won the National Award for Best Children’s Film.

Yusuf is an active member of key industry bodies, including the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPPA) and the Film Federation of India (FFI), the apex organization of Indian film producers.

(Murtaza Ali Khan is an award-winning film critic who has served on the jury of the 69th and the 70th National Awards. He has been covering cinema, arts, and culture for the last decade and a half. He can be reached at murtaza.jmi@gmail.com)