IFFI To Introduce A New Category For Best Web Series

Over the last few years, India’s entertainment industry has witnessed a drastic revolution with the rise of OTT (over-the-top) platforms and web series. They have completely changed the content consumption pattern of the Indian audience with more and more people preferring to watch premium content on their personal screens. Owing to this massive shift towards OTT and its contribution to Indian cinema, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has announced a new category to the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). They will now be including the ‘Best Web Series‘ award at the 54th IFFI, Goa that will be held from 20th November to 28th November, 2023.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur announced the addition of this new award category after interacting with representatives of leading OTT platforms at a conference held on 18th July, 2023. He mentioned that the award will be presented to an extraordinary show for its artistic merit, storytelling excellence, technical prowess and overall impact. To be eligible for the category, a web series will have to be an original release on an OTT platform, that’s originally shot and available in an Indian language.

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About The Award

The recognition for OTT content at a national level comes as a welcome move for all web series creators. Taking to Twitter, Thakur wrote, “India is filled with exceptional talent; I encourage you to tell the story of a rising and aspirational New India – ready to lead the world, with a billion dreams and a billion untold stories.” Beginning this year at the 54th International Film Festival of India, the award will be presented annually, which includes a prize money of Rs. 10 lakhs. Meanwhile, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) has opened entries for Indian films, in both feature and non-feature sections to be screened under the Indian Panorama section at the IFFI. The feature section shall screen a maximum of 26 films while 21 films will be selected in the non-feature section.

The Award aims to create investment opportunities in India’s OTT sector through incentives. By encouraging the creation of content in Indian languages, recognising exceptional talent and fostering growth & innovation, the OTT industry is bound to boom by leaps and bounds. This breaks and challenges the commercialisation of the film industry which was monopolised by some of the big production houses. And motivates passionate filmmakers and storytellers to produce some stellar content that the audience now demands.

What Makes Web Series And OTT Content The Popular Choice

The vast variety of original web series, feature films, Bollywood movies, regional and international content, documentaries, reality shows, and specials available on multiple platforms leaves the audience spoilt for choice. This really broadens the audience’s access to view unique content beyond borders that would otherwise be too tough to get hands-on. All you need is a device with internet connectivity and you can watch any content you choose. The flexible, affordable and competitive pricing structure of their subscription plans, that too ad-free, add to the convenience. Plus, their data-driven algorithm enables the personalisation of the subscriber’s content. Not to forget the creative freedom that exists in this space with not-so-brutal censorship constraints.

Pinterest

Initially, international giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video entered the Indian market, offering a plethora of international and original content. But with audiences growing accustomed to on-demand streaming, several homegrown platforms such as Disney+ Hotstar, Zee5, Voot, SonyLIV, ALTBalaji, and more made their way into the market.

Fostering Talent That Is Worthy

The structure of OTT platforms enables the nurturing of original content and talent in India. It creates creative freedom in storytelling by pushing boundaries and addressing topics that were previously considered taboo for mainstream cinema and television. This truly lets talented writers, directors, and actors showcase their skills and get recognition, allowing a plethora of new-age talents to emerge.

Web series like Farzi, Asur, Mirzapur, Sacred Games, Scam 1992, Rocket Boys, Kota Factory, The Family Man and many more garnered major love and put underrated talent in the limelight. Many A-list actors have also transitioned to the OTT world. Be it Ajay Devgn in Rudra, Raveena Tandon in Aranyak, Sushmita Sen in Aarya, or Saif Ali Khan in The Sacred Games, fans have shown a genuine liking towards their favourite actors’ shows.

Anurag Thakur On OTT Censorship

At this conference, Anurag Thakur discussed issues relating to content regulation, user experience and overall growth & innovation of the sector. In the process of unleashing India’s creative prowess, the web series creators will have to handle the portrayal of our country in a sensitive and respectful manner. Thakur mentioned that the Government would not permit an inappropriate representation of Indian society and culture in the name of artistic freedom. Emphasis was placed on age-based classification, parental locks, and content descriptors to ensure appropriate access and safe viewing for various age groups during a discussion on the introduction of a Code of Ethics to increase content regulation.

It is alleged that the Union Minister has proposed for there to be a quasi-judicial body made up of industry experts and judges to ensure impartial decision-making, relieve the burden on higher courts, and speed up the resolution of claims against OTT content.

We are eager to know which show will be awarded the ‘Best Web Series’ at IFFI in November given the amazing content produced by the country this year!