PANJIM: Against the backdrop of ongoing controversy over the non-selection of Konkani movies in Indian Panorama section for the upcoming IFFI 2019, scheduled next month, Congress has urged Chief Minister Pramod Sawant to immediately release a white paper on the overall benefits received by Goa and more particularly the Goan Film Fraternity from the film festive in last 15 years

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) has warned to stage demonstrations in support of Goan film fraternity during forthcoming IFFI-2019, if Konkani movies are not included in the Panorma section.

GPCC spokesperson Swati Kerkar has alleged that the BJP government and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) has totally surrendered themselves to Information and Broadcasting Ministry and Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) and have no say in organisational aspect of the festival. 

She said that ESG has completely failed in its responsibilities of fulfilling its own objective and hence the Goan filmmakers are facing challenges on every front. "The ESG has absolutely no role in decision making of organising IFFI, despite Goa government spending almost Rs 40-50 crores every year on the mega film festival," Kerkar said.

Kerkar said that it is high time that the State government reviews its role in organising the mega event which has not brought any benefits to Goa in last 15 years as compared to huge expenditure incurred on creating infrastructure and organisation of the festival.

"We demand that Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who is also the Chairman of ESG should immediately release a white paper on the overall benefits received by Goa and more particularly the Goan Film Fraternity from IFFI in last 15 years," the Congress leader demanded.

IFFI was first brought to Goa in 2004 by the then Chief Minister late Manohar Parrikar. In 2014, the coastal State was declared as the permanent venue for hosting the festival. 

"After 15 years of its arrival in Goa, the festival is still struggling with basic issues such as delegate registration, film selections and schedules, participation of eminent film personalities etc," Kerkar said, adding that it was only during then Pratapsingh Rane and Digambar Kamat led governments, that the Goan film producers and artists were given maximum benefits during the festival. 

She recalled that it was the Congress Government which started the Film Finance Scheme for the local film makers. Sadly, the BJP Government kept the scheme dormant after 2012 for a long time.