IFFI curtains roll down

| 10 December 2004 22:57 IST

As curtains rolled down on 35th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the organisers are learning from their mistakes.

Selecting less number of films, provision of more theatres are few of the things the authorities have decided to seriously consider. The exercise has started just after the concluding function as Goa will host it next year, too.

Union information and broadcasting minister Jaipal Reddy had shown the centre's willingness to provide financial assistance in augmenting the infrastructure. Addressing the gathering during concluding function, Mr Reddy had said that the infrastructure facilities could be augmented. Summing up his speech he had promised the crowd that ``we will come back to Goa next year.''

Goa's chief minister Manohar Parrikar too admits certain lacunas in the preparations. ``Since the festival is being held for the first time, there may be some loose ends,'' he conceded. He had also promised to provide 100 per cent mistake-free festival next year.

For time being, the apprehensions on whether Goa will get another chance or not has calmed down. Union minister was clear enough to state that he was happy with the venue. As far as the decision on permanent venue is considered, it will come only after a proper memorandum of understanding is signed with the state government.

``The MoU is going to be a detailed exercise,'' director of film festival Neelam Kapur told presspersons today. Ms Kapur on the concluding day had admitted that the infrastructure facilities were restricted. ``There were only 5 screens this time compared to 10 or 12 screens required for the festival,'' she had said.

Learning lessons from the mistakes of this festival, Ms Kapur said that next time, less films would be selected for the festival so that they could be screened properly.

Goa's chief minister Parrikar being the first-time organiser of event of such a nature stated that next year, the better facilities would be provided. ``Now I know that you actually don't require a concrete structure to hold inauguration or concluding functions. We can do it in permanent structures too,'' he said hinting at raising a make-shift auditorium for the festival next time.

The chief minister had also agreed to construct a festival building, if Goa continues to hold film festivals. ``Money is not a problem. I can mobilise resources without taxing commonmen,'' he said.

The state government has also decided to raise the issue regarding central funds for the festival during the planning commission meeting scheduled in Delhi on January 6.

Drop a comment