Iamsterdam welcomes IIFA ...

On its continuing journey to propel Indian Cinema to new heights around the world, IIFA landed in the picturesque city of Amsterdam, the city on water for the 6th Annual IIFA Weekend and Awards. The three-day extravaganza left Amsterdam dazzled with its magical mix of stars, glamour and entertainment. 

The Press Conference: 
- The IIFA Weekend celebrations kicked off with Amitabh Bachchan
- Official launch of the three-day event at a Press Meet 

IIFA World Premiere:
- Held at the magnificent centuries old Pathe Tuschinski Theatre 
- The film premiered was Pradeep Sarkar’s ‘Parineeta’
- The lead cast, including Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan & Rekha 
   along with other stars attended the Premiere.

IIFA Film Festival and IIFA Workshop:
- The first-ever IIFA Film Festival inaugurated by Yash Chopra 
- Held at the Pathe Tuschinski Theatre 
- Showcased some of the best films Indian Cinema has to offer
- Over 4000 people enjoyed the varied selection of films over three 
   days, Staggering 89% occupancy 
- IIFA Workshop organized, which served as a unique meeting between 
   some prominent filmmakers from India and Dutch film professionals
- Key speakers at the workshop included Karan Johar, Shabana Azmi, 
   Javed Akhtar and Abhishek Bachchan 
- The workshop also featured a screening of the blockbuster ‘Kal Ho 
   Na Ho’

FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum: 
- Held at Expo XXI
- Dignitaries from India and the Netherlands addressed topics 
   such as Trade and Commerce, Tourism and Cinema
- The FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum served as a place for big 
   ideas, international business and networking 

IIFA Foundation Celebrity Cricket Match:
- Held at the Olympic Stadium
- Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan were captains of their respective 
   teams
- Actors Boman Irani, Chunkey Pandey and Neelam provided the 
   entertaining commentary
- At the end of an action-packed game, Hrithik’s team was declared 
   winners

IIFA Awards:
- 11th June 2005 - The Amsterdam Arena buzzed with activity as 
   preparations were on for the grandest moment of Indian Cinema – the 
   6th Samsung IIFA Awards 2005 
- Kicking off the Awards Ceremony was IIFA Brand Ambassador 
   Amitabh Bachchan 
- Shah Rukh Khan, Fardeen Khan and Karan Johar were the comperes 
   for the evening 
- International pop sensation Bombay Rockers truly ‘Rocked Tha Party’ 
   Rouge urged the audience to ‘Don’t Be Shy’ 
- Performances by Salman Khan, Aalaika Arora Khan, Amrita Arora, 
   Esha Deol, Isha Sharwani, Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor & Daler 
   Mehndi left the fans starstruck 
- International magician Hans Kolak added a touch of magic to the 
   evening 
- Abhishek Bachchan’s first-ever international performance in which
   Aishwarya Rai and Amitabh Bachchan joined him on stage