PANJIM: Goa heads to its 11th IFFI, and the first since it was formally
announced as the permanent venue of the festival, but it does so without
Manohar Parrikar, the man who in 2004 overnight created the infrastructure for
the festival. With just about 10 days to go for the festival’s inaugural, work
goes on at a leisurely pace, a scene far different from the first IFFI in Goa,
when Parrikar could be seen supervising works at any time of the day and night.
Inox Multiplex and Maquinez Palace
It is business as usual at Inox Multiplex, the main festival venue, as
movies roll on the silver screens. While the multiplex will feature only IFFI
movies for the 11-day festival, the courtyard around the multiplex will soon
get decorated for the event. Auditoria at the Maquinez Palace will also screen
IFFI movies.
Kala Academy
There’s nothing much happening at Kala Academy to indicate that the
inaugural film of this year’s IFFI, and so many others, will be screened here.
Routine programmes and regular classes continue. The complex is fully equipped
to hold the festival, though some minor works are being undertaken. Kala
Academy too will be shut for the general public during the IFFI.
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium
The Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium was constructed for the Lusofonia
Games held earlier this year and will host the IFFI opening and closing
ceremonies. While currently there is no upgradation work happening, there is a
possibility that minor works, such as lighting, would be carried out soon at
the stadium.
Infrastructure
Here’s where one gets a hint that something is happening. The roads are
being cleaned, dividers re-painted, government buildings such as the old
Secretariat getting a face-lift, non-functioning streetlights being replaced
and several other works that would add glitter to the festival being executed.
The roads leading to the opening and closing venue are being smoothened and
lights are going up on trees. Yet to happen is the illumination of government
buildings and the main roads of Panjim.
