TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
PONDA: Film Makers, a body of Goan film producers, has urged the State government to restart the Goa Film Festival which was stopped since 2008.
Film Makers President Milind Mhadgut said that the State government should work to promote and encourage Goan film producers, rather than making wasteful expenditure on the IFFI.
“The State government had started the Goa Film Festival in 1998 and it was held every two years. But due to unknown reasons, the Goa Film Festival has been stopped since 2008,” said Mhadgut while addressing a news conference at Ponda on Wednesday.
“Instead of concentrating on the IFFI, the State government should give priority to Goa Film Festival so that the Goan Konkani films will get a boost,” said Mhadgut, who recently had demanded to shift IFFI to other states as it (IFFI) is doing no good to the Goan film industry.
“At present, there is a need to set up the film industry or at least, the State government should start a unit at Kala academy with facilities of post production. The cost of production rises as we have to go to Mumbai or Pune. Having such facilities in the State would surely help reduce the costs,” informed Mhadgut.
Mhadgut also felt the need for a branch of the censor board in the State. “A number of Goan Konkani films, which are actually are meant for children, have been given an ‘A’ or a ‘U/A’ certificate. The State government should look into the matter so as to have censor board branch in the State”.
Mahdgut welcomed the Entertainment Society of Goa Vice-Chairman Vishnu Wagh’s reported statement of providing a financial assistance scheme to film producers and said that the scheme should be implemented as soon as possible.
