AmitabhBachchan will be conferred upon with the prestigious 2021 FIAF Award by theInternational Federation of Film Archives (FIAF), the worldwide organisation offilm archives and museums from across the world, at a virtual showcasescheduled to take place on March 19.
"Iam greatly honoured to receive the FIAF Award for the year 2021, for a causethat I am deeply committed to. We must strengthen the idea that film archivingis as essential as filmmaking, and I do hope that we are able to garner furthersupport for this most essential cause from my colleagues in the film industryand the government, to enable us to realise our dream for building a centrethat will preserve and showcase our magnificent film heritage," saidBachchan.
The78-year-old Bollywood icon's name was nominated by the FIAF affiliate FilmHeritage Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation founded by filmmaker andarchivist Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, dedicated to the preservation,restoration, documentation, exhibition, and study of India's film heritage.
"Wehave been fortunate enough to enjoy the unstinting support of our ambassadorAmitabh Bachchan, who has championed the cause of saving our film heritage, andconstructively wielded his influence to amplify the cause on a war footing inour part of the world. This is the reason we nominated him for the award, andhe was unanimously voted by all FIAF members," he said.
FilmmakersMartin Scorsese and Christopher Nolan, who have been previous recipients, willgive the award to Big B for his dedication and contribution to the preservationof and access to the world's film heritage for the benefit of present andfuture generations, at a virtual presentation.
"AmitabhBachchan's advocacy for preserving India's film legacy has been exceptional.With a career spanning over five decades, he is a celebrated actor who has putthe considerable weight of his reputation behind the cause of film preservationin India and the entire subcontinent. They could not have chosen a moredeserving individual to recognise this year," said filmmaker MartinScorsese.
"Asa past recipient of the FIAF Award, I know how imperative it is thatrepresentatives of the film industry around the world come together to ensurethat we preserve our film heritage. I want to congratulate Amitabh Bachchan onreceiving the 2021 honour. As the ambassador for Film Heritage Foundation, hehas played an essential role in putting the cause of film preservation on themap in India and the subcontinent," said filmmaker Christopher Nolan.