Among the many dates, the local film industry keeps an eye on, is the day the films selected for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) are announced. While some of their films have made it to other renowned film festivals and have even won awards, it is always a matter of great pride when a local film is selected for IFFI, which has been hosted in Goa for years now.
This year, the Ministry Information and Broadcasting (I&B) announced the names of some 200-old films from 76 countries, which are to be screened at IFFI. The I&B Ministry also announced the selection for the Indian Panorama section for the Golden Jubilee of IFFI, which will be held from from November 20 till 28 in Goa.
From the large number of films that were sent for selection, only 26 films made it, which included regional languages. However, this time and for the first time in fifteen years, there will be no Konkani film at IFFI’s Panorama section.
While seven entries were Konkani films, not a single film was selected, which has evoked strong reactions from the Goan film industry and the State in general. What was even more surprising was that the national award-winning film ‘Amori’ didn’t make the cut.
‘Amori’ film director Dinesh Bhosle expressed deep disappointment in the manner in which a national award-winning film has been unprecedentedly treated.
“After looking at the list we were shocked that not a single Konkani film was selected. For the last 15 years, Konkani films have been getting at least one entry in the India Panorama section. If we look at the records, these types of rejections have never happened in IIFI,” said Bhosle.
What has been more disheartening amongst the public is that State government is not doing enough even though Goa is the permanent venue for IFFI, not enough effort has been put in to change the decision of the I&B Ministry not to include Konkani films in the Panorama section.
The local filmmakers have also written a letter to the Chief Minister asking for an appointment to discuss the issue.
“We are making films with hard work and this kind of rejection demotivates us. The DFF (Directorate of Film Festivals) is not taking us seriously and ESG (Entertainment Society of Goa) is also not ready to put on pressure on them. The government of Goa has the power to change it but all are quiet,” Bhosle added.
Opposition criticises government
Now the opposition has also weighed in on the issue. Congress MLA and the Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat has demanded that CM Pramod Sawant intervenes and ensures that Goan films are screened in the official section of the forthcoming 50th anniversary of IFFI.
He also issued a warning to the government that he would not hesitate to agitate and stage a demonstration along with all Goan filmmakers during IFFI, if the issue is not resolved.
“When I was the Chief Minister of Goa and Chairman of ESG, various films of Goan filmmakers were screened in the official sections. The then Union Minister for Information and broadcasting Ambika Soni had given us a special section, “Goa on Celluloid”, to showcase films of Goan filmmakers under the official entry of IFFI, said Kamat.
He also demanded that the national award-winning film Amori is made part of the official screening of the Indian Panorama section.
“I also want to bring notice of the Chief Minister that in the past all national award-winning Goan films were made part of IFFI screening. Also the State government and Entertainment Society of Goa must take this issue with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Directorate of Film Festivals” Kamat added.
As of now, if the I&B Ministry agrees to this demand regarding adding a Konkani film to IFFI’s Indian Panorama section will be clear before the start of the festival.
