Official Announcement for IIFA 2014
By Rachana Srivastava
LOS ANGELES: The International (North) Indian Film Academy Awards, also known as the IIFA Awards, are a set of awards presented annually by the International Indian Film Academy to honour both artistic and technical excellence of professionals in Bollywood, the Hindi language film industry. The ceremony is held in different countries around the world every year. This award ceremony has been organized by Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt Ltd – one of India’s premier event management and entertainment agencies – since its inception.
In 2014, IIFA would visit Tampa Bay, USA and become the first Indian Award Show to do so.
For the very first time the most awaited event IIFA is taking place in Tampa Bay Florida from April 24 to April 26 .Tampa will have the opportunity to catch stars descend on the American soil.
To officially announce its commencement, a press conference was organized in SLS Hotel Los Angeles which saw Leading actors of Bollyood Anil Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, IIFA host Dr Kiran Patel, Country Commissioner Al Higginbotham, President and Chief Executive, Santiago Corrada, Director of Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd Viraf Sarkari, Andre Timmins, directors were also present.
Announcing the commencement of the IIFA officially Viraf said that this year IIFA would see a big Bollywood party, name of Actors who are participating in IIFA will be announced gradually. President and Chief Executive, Santiago Corrada said it gives him immense pleasure to be associated with IIFA . Tampa Bay, Florida and IIFA stage is all set to welcome all. He further added that he likes the IIFA slogan “ONE PEOPLE ONE WORLD “ a lot.
Al Higginbotham said that he is very excited about the event taking place in Florida. He expressed that now since IIFA is taking place in Florida , Americans who do not know about Bollywood will also get to know it.
Dr Kiran Patel ,one of the main organizer for IIFA in Florida said that organizing IIFA in Florida does not have the lone motive of bringing the stars here but also eyes to bring the Indian culture here.
There have been many big events organized in Tampa and so we also plan to make it big.
Long time friend and a strong supporter of IIFA, the international actor Anil Kapoor expressed his feelings by saying that IIFA is not an event for him, its an emotion for him which has given him many many important relations in his life which hold the same importance till date. He expressed how delightful and proud he is on being associated with IIFA. There are many award shows but IIFA stands tall amongst them because its impartial and fair added the slum dog millionaire actor.
Most popular Bollywood actress and singer Priyanka Chopra said IIFA is a big big party in which we get a chance to meet people and since its in Florida this year its even more exciting. America welcomes people from diverse culture and ethnicity and IIFA taking place in florida proves it. I am always excited to participate in IIFA every year and this year I have bigger plans to perform in IIFA.
Welcoming everyone to come to IIFA, Priyanka said it would be a star filled magical night so do come to feel the magic. Here we will celebrate the festival of cinema so come and be a part of the celebration.
IIFA announced that the hosts of this year’s show are heartthrob actor-dancer Shahid Kapoor, who has been the host for the past two years, and director, screenwriter, actor and singer Farhan Akhtar.
The awards will take place from the 24 – 26 of April, ticket to this three day extravaganza are available on ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices range from $93 to $3,295 through Ticketmaster, and IIFA is selling three-day premium packages for up to $25,000 through iifabuzz.com.
This year IIFA officials expect people from across the globe to witness this mega event. Specially from countries like India, Canada, Pakistan, Singapore, UK, Shri Lanka, South Africa and UAE.
IIFA schedule
April 23: “IIFA Stomp” Bollywood dance music festival at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Free and open to the public.
April 24: “IIFA Rocks” live music and fashion event showcasing the work of three Indian designers at the University of South Florida Sun Dome.
April 24 and 25: “IIFA Global Business Forum” with 120 CEOs of Indian companies at the Tampa Convention Center.
April 25: “Magic of the Movies & Technical Awards” show at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds.
April 26: 6:30 p.m. awards show at Raymond James Stadium