News DeskAbu Dhabi, UAE – The 24th Edition of the IIFA Festival 2024 kicked off with a spectacular showcase of stardom from five iconic film industries—Hindi and South Indian cinema (Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada)—at the official Press Conference on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the region’s leading leisure and entertainment destination. The official press conference was held at Etihad Arena, Middle East’s largest indoor entertainment venue. Celebrating the grandeur of Indian cinema, IIFA Festival is being held under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance & Coexistence, in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Miral, for an unprecedented third showcase of Cinematic Excellence on 27th-29th, 2024 in Yas Island Abu Dhabi,
Bringing together the best of Indian cinema, the official opening press conference of the IIFA Festival showcased a spectacular display of stardom, with IIFA Awards hosts and performers in attendance, featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Vicky Kaushal, Rekha, Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, along with IIFA Utsavam 2024 hosts and performers, including Rana Daggubati, Teja Sajja, Akul Balaji, Vijay Raghavendra, Sathish, Diya Menon, Sudev Nair, Pearle Maaney, Rockstar DSP, Shane Nigam, Raashii Khanna, Pragya Jaiswal, Malashri, Aradhana Ram, and Regina Cassandra. Joining them were IIFA Rocks hosts and performers, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Abhishek Banerjee, Shilpa Rao, Iulia Vantur, and Karan Aujla.
Joining the all-star line-up at the press conference was an impressive array of talent and industry luminaries, spanning across Hindi cinema and the vibrant South Indian film industry, alongside international dignitaries, cinema enthusiasts, and media representatives from across the globe.
The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards, the world’s grandest celebration of Indian cinema, proudly introduces its transformative initiative, “I Can Make A Difference” advocating Small Steps, Big Impact – Empowering Change Through Collective Action. This initiative reflects the core values of IIFA, underscoring that ‘I’ represents both the academy and the individual’s ability to make a difference.
By harnessing the powerful platform of cinema as a force for advocacy, IIFA integrates the ‘I Can Make A Difference’ initiative into its foundational mission, aiming to catalyze positive change, raise awareness, and mobilize resources for social causes that extend beyond the elite or those in power.
IIFA unveiled its noble initiative titled ‘I Can Make A Difference’, partnering with Sobha Group as its official Cause Partner. Leading luxury real estate developer, Sobha Group joined forces with IIFA to inspire and empower the next generation of women, affirming, “When You Lay A Strong Foundation, You’re Not Just Building For Today—You’re Shaping Tomorrow.”
The media event also included the launch of the I can Make A Difference badge for IIFA2024.
The press conference also featured the unveiling of the Kuberan Film City & Institute, a new world class production and talent training-development facility that’s being set up in Goa, a destination where multiple films and OTT projects are filmed.
Mr Partho Banerjee, Senior Executive Officer Marketing & Sales, NEXA commented, “As the NEXA IIFA Awards return to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi this September, we reaffirm our commitment to our 9-year partnership. NEXA and IIFA symbolize the pursuit of innovation, challenging the status quo to create novel and inspiring experiences. By combining global design, sophisticated style, and innovative technology, NEXA crafts premium experiences that align perfectly with IIFA’s mission to build lifetime experiences and celebrate excellence in Indian cinema globally.”
Ravi Menon, Co-Chairman of Sobha Group, “IIFA has long set the benchmark for cinematic excellence, uniting audiences from around the world. In a similar spirit, Sobha Realty remains committed to crafting world-class properties that resonate with our global community. We are proud to continue our partnership with the Sobha Realty IIFA Weekend and eagerly anticipate another remarkable celebration of talent and creativity on a global stage. This year, our partnership carries even greater importance as the official Cause Partner, where together, we go beyond entertainment. Through the transformative ‘I Can Make A Difference’ initiative, we aim to empower the next generation of women, driving meaningful and lasting change toward inclusivity and opportunity.”
Mr Andre Timmins, Founder/Director, IIFA stated, “We are thrilled to unite the grandeur of Indian cinema for a historic star-studded celebration of five iconic industries this 27th -29th September, our biggest and most spectacular IIFA Festival yet. This year’s IIFA will be a celebration of unprecedented scale, transcending cinematic boundaries with the convergence of Hindi Cinema and South Indian cinema, set against Yas Island’s unmatched hospitality and breath-taking backdrop as a premier international destination.
He added, “The excitement is palpable as tickets for IIFA Awards night have sold out! Get ready for unforgettable moments, mesmerizing performances, and a cultural extravaganza during our star-studded three-day IIFA Festival. This galactic celebration of cinema will captivate audiences worldwide and leave a lasting global impact. A true testament to the unparalleled appeal of Yas Island, IIFA 2024 festival will foster meaningful connections, offer unique networking opportunities, and celebrate the visionaries who have shaped the global entertainment landscape, setting the stage for an extraordinary journey to 2025.”
Taghrid AlSaeed, Miral’s Executive Director of Marketing, Communications & Events, said, “We are proud to welcome the world’s biggest celebration of Indian film for a historic third time to Yas Island. This year’s IIFA Festival promises to be an extraordinary spectacle of cinematic excellence and vibrant culture with the welcome of IIFA Utsavam to the Island for the first time. We can’t wait to transform Yas Island, the leading entertainment and leisure destination into a global stage for Indian cinema. This year’s event will unite cinema’s brightest stars with their most passionate fans for an unforgettable experience in Abu Dhabi. Let’s get ready for an event like never before”
H.E. Nouf Mohamed Al-Bushlaibi, Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications, DCT Abu Dhabi says, “We are delighted to welcome the luminaries of Indian cinema back to the city for another weekend filled with events that showcase the best of Indian film. Returning for an unprecedented third consecutive year, we’re excited that Abu Dhabi, a city where culture and creativity are at the heart of everything we do, is chosen as the platform to celebrate Indian cinema. With some of the world’s biggest names joining us, we invite everyone to immerse themselves in the vibrant and authentic experiences Abu Dhabi has to offer.”
Mr Ashish Sehgal – Chief Growth Officer – Digital & Broadcast Revenue, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, expressed his excitement about this association – “ZEE is thrilled to bring the magic of the IIFA to millions of households across the globe and celebrate the brilliance of Indian Cinema and its talented artists. This prestigious property is a natural fit for our portfolio and reaffirms ZEE’s audience-first strategy of delivering premium entertainment that resonates deeply with our diverse viewers. We are confident that this association will not only elevate the viewer experience but also strengthen our leadership in delivering the best of Indian Cinema to the world and set new benchmarks in engagement, viewership and entertainment.”
Mr Praveen Sharma, Group CEO & Partner Maisour & Meteora Group expressed his happiness, “We are absolutely thrilled to partner with the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards as the Investment Partners of IIFA Weekend & Awards. This collaboration marks a monumental milestone for Maisour, a crowdfunding platform for fractional ownership in Real Estate in Dubai with a global platform like IIFA that unites and celebrates the best of Indian cinema in a dazzling showcase of stardom. The highly anticipated cinematic extravaganza IIFA Festival 2024 on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, sets the perfect stage for this partnership. At Maisour, we champion creativity, innovation, and make Real Estate investment in Dubai affordable that seamlessly resonate with the prestigious legacy of the IIFA Awards. Together, we aim to elevate the fan engagement and offer them opportunities for investment and excellent returns.”
Mr Sahil Arora, Brand spokesperson, DB’s Siggnature, shared his happiness, “It’s our first time at the IIFAs and the excitement is evident. Our relationship with cinema has been deep, with some of the brightest stars representing our brand and exciting partnerships for marketing of blockbusters. We are looking forward to a long relationship with Signature moves and developments on the road ahead.”
Mr. Nishant Pitti, CEO & Co-founder of EaseMyTrip shared his thoughts on the association, stating; “As IIFA approaches its Silver Jubilee in 2025, EaseMyTrip is excited to be the official travel partner for the world’s grandest celebration at the IIFA Awards. This year, the celebrations promise to be bigger and more spectacular than ever. As a homegrown brand, we’re delighted to offer guests IIFA specific holiday packages. This partnership reflects our unwavering commitment to making travel for the event and beyond both effortless and unforgettable for all.”
Nader Halim, Cluster General Manager for Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island, The WB™ Abu Dhabi, Curio Collection by Hilton, and DoubleTree by Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island Residences, remarked on the partnership, saying, “As the official hospitality partner for the IIFA Festival 2024, Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island is honoured to be at the very heart of this extraordinary celebration of Indian cinema and music. We are thrilled to welcome the industry’s most prominent stars throughout this action-packed weekend and are committed to ensure they experience the exceptional hospitality that Hilton is renowned for.”
Nabila, Founder NABILA and ZERO makeup– Official Hair & Makeup Partner commented saying, “The team at NABILA is thrilled to return to IIFA for the fourth time, styling and energizing this star-studded event at the magical YAS Island. With our backstage powered by ZERO Makeup — a brainchild of NABILA that is specially designed for brown skin and associated with IIFA since its inception — we are fully prepared for this exciting journey.”
