2nd International Tourism Film Festival Maldives ‘Following The Equator’ event at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives

The 2nd edition of International Tourism Film Festival Maldives scheduled for November 2017 has been postponed. Due to popular demand, request from interested participants and partners, the event date is now set for 18th to 20th of April 2018.

The concept being gathering talents of different ages, interests and backgrounds at one place. With the success of the first edition, we hope to have a much grand event this year, with international celebrities and media.

Hon FDr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Chairman & Managing Director of Sun Siyam Group, The 2nd edition of International Tourism Film Festival Maldives at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives
Hon FDr. Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, Chairman & Managing Director of Sun Siyam Group

This year’s festival, extended over three days will be filled with special events which are impeccable in its entertaining and educating aspects. It is a platform for innovative work from both professionals and amateurs, in other words the perfect ground for networking.

The 2nd edition of International Tourism Film Festival Maldives at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives

Nomination Categories:

Tourism Destinations
Cultural Tourism
Environment & Eco-Tourism
Adventure Tourism
Ethnography & Society
Water
Cultural Connections
Hotels & Resorts
Tourism Services
National Productions (only for Maldivians)
Amateurs & Students (clips not more than 3 minutes)

Genres:

Documentary (not more than 60 minutes)
Promotional (not more than 15 minutes)
Commercials (not more than 60 seconds)

Program:

Master Classes
Opening Ceremony
Top Nominations
Competitions
Experts Discussion Open Forum
Closing Ceremony
Awards Party

An occasion such as this will unite all those with a deep love for art and tourism. We invite filmmakers and producers of all calibers to submit their content to be featured. The deadline to submit all entries is 15th December 2017. If you have not already, this is the perfect opportunity to show your creativity and share with the world your perception. Results will be communicated on 15th of February 2018.

The 2nd edition of International Tourism Film Festival Maldives at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives
The 2nd edition of International Tourism Film Festival Maldives at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives

About International Tourism Film Festival Maldives:

The International Tourism Film Festival Maldives brings together professionals, celebrities and guests from across the globe to share their passion for traveling and seeing the beauty of it, the love for art, tourism and sports.

Festival entries include movies about interesting and unique places all over the world.  Shedding light into the different cultures and histories of countries and their events: lasting from 1 to 13 minutes.

The first edition held in July 2016 witnessed celebrity figures including Ms. Yang Zi (Actress from China), Ms. Lizzie Cundy (British TV/radio presenter, showbiz, fashion & beauty advisor and model from UK), Ms. Mina Wattan Ramadhan Raheem (Socialite, social media influencer and a travel blogger from Middle East), Mr. Raul Richter (Actor, presenter and voice actor) from Germany with his fiancé  Ms. Valentina Pahde (Actress), Mr. Jumayyil (Maldivian Actor), Ms. Aishath Rishmy Rameez (Maldivian Actress) and Mr. Abdul Fathaah Abdul Gayoom (Maldivian Film Director) together with some amazing journalists from international media. The presence of CCTV6, a top TV channel from China, well known tourism journalists from France, Italy, Middle East and Russia, and of course the local media of Maldives which included Public Service Media, Sun Media and Hotelier Maldives, have covered the 3 day event at Iru Fushi and made great news!

With contribution and sponsorship from major stakeholders in the industry the event was a great success. This year we anticipate the same at a grander level.

The 3-day event screens amazing clips from across the globe with breathtaking content related to tourism and nature. With an opening gala after cocktails at sunset, stretched over the magnificent beach and a grand finale showcasing the top nominees concludes with a grand dinner and awarding of winners.

The 2nd edition of International Tourism Film Festival Maldives at The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi MaldivesThe Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives

The event takes place at the multi award winning property of Sun Siyam group, The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives, which is the flagship property within the group. Located in the unspoiled Noonu Atoll and set within 52 acres of white sands and exotic flora, here guests are immersed in a timeless culture. From the intuitive detail and personalised service that creates the most beautiful moments, to the sublime ambience that permeates each unforgettable taste, touch and experience. Since its brand launch in 2014 as The Sun Siyam, it has gained international recognition across the globe. The most recent ones include the award for the resort’s French Restaurant and Wine Cellar (Flavors) which received two global awards as the Best French Cuisine and Best Wine Selection, and the resort’s Spa (Spa by Thalgo) which received the Best Luxury Spa Resort in the Maldives at the first spa and restaurant gala event that was concluded at the exquisite 5-star Grand Hotel Kronenhof Pontresina, Switzerland, in June 2016. World Travel Awards have recognized the property as winner for the Indian Ocean’s Leading Family Resort and Indian Ocean’s Best Resort Spa in 2016. It is also winner at the World Luxury Hotel Awards.

The Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives makes it the perfect venue to host the International Tourism Film Festival Maldives.

For more information on venue: www.thesunsiyam.com
For more information on festival: www.itffm.net

Milestone of 1,000,000th Visitor of Visit Maldives Year 2016

Achieving yet another milestone of Visit Maldives Year 2016, Maldives proudly welcomed the one millionth visitor of 2016 today at Ibrahim Nasir International Airport. Mrs. Alefiya Merchant from India who arrived on Air India flight this afternoon with her husband Mr. Ali Asgar Godhrawala for their honeymoon in Maldives was warmly welcomed by H. E. Akhilesh Mishra, the High Commissioner of India to the Maldives, Mr. Hussain Lirar and Mr. Shazail Shiyam, Deputy Ministers of Tourism, Mr. Haris Mohamed, Acting Managing Director of Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC) and other senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, MMPRC, Maldives Airports Company Limited and representatives of the tourism industry.

Upon arrival, they were welcomed at the arrival terminal by officials from MMPRC, Department of Immigration and Maldives Airports Company Ltd, from where they were escorted to the VIP lounge in a procession of traditional Boduberu performance.

1,000,000th Visitor of Visit Maldives Year 2016
1,000,000th Visitor of Visit Maldives Year 2016

H.E. Akhilesh Mishra, Indian High Commissioner awarded them with a commemorative plaque. A special gift was also awarded by Mr. Haris Mohamed, Managing Director of MMPRC. The Lucky honeymoon couple also received a complimentary holiday package from Hurawalhi Resort. The prize was presented by Mr. Shazail Shiyam, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Ms. Cherry Zhuang, Sales and Marketing Manager of Crown and Champa Resorts.

Since the grand welcoming of the first visitor of Visit Maldives Year in the early morning of the 1st of January, milestones of reaching 500,000th and 750,000th were colourfully celebrated.

An Indian National being the distinguished one millionth visitor is of great significance to the Maldives providing a great opportunity to promote the Maldives as a tourist destination to the Indian market. India is a rapidly growing market having attained its position within the top ten single source markets climbing up to reaching amongst the top 5 source markets to the Maldives. Arrivals from India show a positive growth of 21.5% from January to July when compared to the same period in 2015. During this period in 2016 a total of 34,884 Indian tourists are recorded to have arrived in Maldives.