MUMBAI: The 10th year of IIFA kicked off today at the Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel. The three day Videocon IIFA Weekend this year will showcase the Cirque Du Soleil ZAIA Show, IIFA Fashion Extravaganza, FICCI IIFA Global Business Forum, IIFA Workshop, various upcoming film briefings and the IIFA Awards.

IIFA brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan said, "The 10th year of IIFA holds a special significance for the Indian film industry, establishing the success of the IIFA phenomenon. We present an unforgettable weekend this year, ensuring that IIFA continues in its tradition of the grandest celebration of India."

"IIFA is an important association, which is dedicated to taking Indian cinema to the rest of the world. As a platform IIFA helps promote India on a global scale and fosters exchange in the spheres of entertainment and leisure as well as developing business links between India and countries around the world. We hope, by bringing to The Venetian the 10th year celebrations and activities of the Videocon IIFA Weekend 2009, we can show our friends from India and the rest of the world what we can offer, and nurture business in India and make Macao a destination of first choice for many from that great sub continent," said Las Vegas Sands Corp (parent company of The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel) president Macao Steve Jacobs.

Day One of the Videocon IIFA Weekend will showcase the first permanent performance by Cirque du Soleil. ZAIA is a show that highlights dance, movement and aerial acrobatics, soaring to the farthest reaches of space and human beauty. In honour of the tenth year of IIFA, Bachchan’s statue from Madame Tussaud’s London will be unveiled by him. The wax statue will thereafter be on view at the Hong Kong museum.

Day Two of the Videocon IIFA Weekend will host the FICCI IIFA Global Business Forum, which will showcase the best talent in the business with attendance of heavyweights from China, Hong Kong, Macau and the Indian business fraternity, addressing the issue of the Global Financial Meltdown: Turning Crisis into Opportunity through enhanced cooperation between India and China. Day two will also see film briefings for upcoming movies Jail and Do Knot Disturb.

The IIFA Fashion Extravaganza scheduled for Day 2 will be hosted by Zayed Khan and Sophie Choudhury. Designers like Rocky S, Manav Gangwani, Anamika Khanna, Farah Ali Khan and Hong Kong designer, Chris Chang will showcase their designs. The extravaganza will feature show stoppers like Hrithik and Suzanne Roshan for Farah Ali Khan and Sonam Kapoor for Anamika Khanna amongst others. Adding glamour to the evening Peter Andre will perform at the IIFA Fashion Extravaganza held at The Venetian Macao-Resort-Hotel.

The final day of the Videocon IIFA Weekend will consist of a briefing for Shortkut. The day will conclude with the IIFA Awards ceremony. The awards night will witness performances by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor. Boman Irani and Riteish Deshmukh will host the event along with Lara Dutta.

Taking the Greening of the IIFAs forward, Panasonic launched the IIFA Green Badge to mark the cause of protecting our environment. Speaking on its first association with IIFA, Panasonic Asia Pacific managing director Ikuo Miyamoto said, "It is an honor for us to be associated with an international cinema platform like IIFA which recognizes excellence in the field of cinema. Our association as the green sponsor provides us the platform to communicate our philosophy of Eco Ideas that champions the cause of a greener environment. Taking the Greening of the IIFAs forward this year, we will focus on building a movement to help protect the environment."

The IIFA Awards ceremony will be telecast on Star on 5 July, 2009.