Day 7 of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) brought an engaging blend of ideas from the worlds of storytelling, design and technology, with three masterclasses that examined the evolving landscape of filmmaking.
The session “Beyond the Thumb – The Role of a Film Critic” featured a roundtable of leading international critics who reflected on the responsibilities and influence of film criticism in the digital era. Speakers noted that while the rise of social media and AI-generated content has reshaped audience behaviour, thoughtful and credible critique remains essential for audiences and filmmakers alike, particularly in promoting independent and debut voices.
The masterclass “Costume and Character Arc: The Trendsetters of Cinema” focused on the artistic role costume designers play in crafting narrative depth. Industry experts explained how colour palettes, fabric choices and styling transitions help express character evolution and emotional journeys, while also shaping viewer perception and fashion trends beyond the screen.
A high-energy session led by VFX pioneer Pete Draper titled “The Complete VFX Production Magnanimity” offered an in-depth walkthrough of the visual-effects pipeline. Draper shared insights from his work on landmark Indian films such as Baahubali, RRR and Eega, detailing the workflow from pre-visualisation and on-set planning to final post-production integration. The session gave participants a rare look into the technical creativity behind large-scale cinematic imagery.
Day 7 reinforced IFFI’s role as a global platform for cinematic learning, bringing together creative minds, technicians, and emerging filmmakers to delve into the craft, critique and innovation shaping contemporary cinema.