IFFI jury discusses challenges of choosing best web series winner

Panaji: At the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the Jury for the Best Web Series OTT Award 2024 shared insights into their deliberations, emphasizing the universal appeal of art and the growing significance of OTT platforms in the entertainment industry.

Art’s boundless connection

Chairperson of the Jury, acclaimed filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar, highlighted the transcendent nature of art during the press conference. “Art has no limits. It has no boundaries. And you just connect,” he said, adding that subtitles bridge language barriers, enabling audiences worldwide to engage with emotional storytelling.

Tough choices, strong deliberations

Jury member Krishna Hebbale shed light on the intense deliberations involved in narrowing down a winner from the top ten nominees. “There were no physical scars,” he quipped, “but we all put up a strong fight for our selections.” The process was marked by spirited discussions and collaborative efforts to reach a consensus.

Adding to this, youngest jury member Harish Shankar shared his excitement about working alongside Madhur Bhandarkar, someone he admired as a college student. Shankar emphasized the jury’s collective effort to honour excellence in the burgeoning OTT space.

Recognizing the growth of OTT content

Introduced in 2023 during IFFI’s 54th edition, the Best Web Series OTT Award reflects the festival’s commitment to celebrating the evolving entertainment landscape. The award acknowledges the creative innovation and storytelling emerging from OTT platforms, recognizing them as a powerful medium for connecting with diverse audiences.

This year, ten outstanding entries are in contention for the award, with the winner set to be announced during the Closing Ceremony later in the evening.

Jury Panel

The 2024 Jury comprises industry stalwarts:

1. Madhur Bhandarkar (Chairperson): Renowned Film Director and Scriptwriter
2. Krishna Hebbale: Actor
3. Rupali Ganguli: Acclaimed Actor
4. Harish Shankar: Film Director and Scriptwriter

The addition of this award underscores IFFI’s commitment to honouring creativity, bridging cultural divides, and adapting to the changing dynamics of global storytelling.