Scrap SFC, T-20 from IFFI: filmmakers
Allege financial irregularities
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, OCT 11
The filmmakers in the State have alleged large-scale financial misappropriation in holding Short Film Centre (SFC) for International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and accused Chief Minister Digambar Kamat of turning a blind eye towards the irregularities.
Pointing out to the major corruption in IFFI events, Goa Film Federation, a body comprising State’s filmmakers, today demanded that sections like SFC and T-20 events should be deleted from the film festival.
“SFC and T-20 events should be scraped from the festival for this time. Chief Minister should sign the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Centre for IFFI 2010 only after deleting these two events”, the federation demanded.
The filmmakers have alleged that Entertainment Society of Goa’s (ESG) Chief Executive Officer Manoj Srivastava had inflated the expenses for SFC and T-20 events for the festival.
“As per the information revealed from RTI, ESG has spent Rs 75 lakh just on SFC in 2008, which is almost double than what was approved by the governing body. The body has approved a budget of Rs 36 lakh for the section”, Goa Film Federation, Chairman Arnold D’Costa told reporters today evening.
He alleged that chief minister, who is heading the governing council, is ignoring the entire matter. “Not just Srivastava but the chief minister and other members of the council are equally responsible for the misappropriation”, D’Costa stated.
Member of the Federation and internationally acclaimed director Laxmikant Shetgaonkar questioned why the films which come here with the perspective of looking for a buyer should be given awards of Rs 5 lakh, Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh respectively.
“It’s not a competition. It’s just a section where short film producers show their product and those who are interested in buying take it”, Shetgaonkar said.
The film maker believes that rather then spending such a huge amount on short film centre, ESG needs to provide a platform for the development of film culture in Goa.
“ESG has failed completely to encourage young talent into film industry. Today we don’t find any film maker in Goa. The amount spent on SFC could be used to develop film culture in the state by organizing workshops and various events”, Shetgaonkar said.
The Federation alleged that T-20 section of Indian Cinema is nothing but a gimmick of Srivastava to give contracts of various performances to his friends from entertainment society.
The Federation, which met chief minister last week succeeded in getting the assurance that two of its members would be included in the governing council.
