Plans afoot stage opening ceremony at new stadium near GU
TEAM HERALD
OLD GOA: The 10th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in the State could have South Indian Superstar Rajnikanth as its chief guest, while the State government also has plans to stage the opening ceremony at the new stadium near Goa University, after it is used for the Lusofonia Games.
Speaking to Herald, Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) Vice Chairman Vishnu Wagh has said the government’s plans to hold the opening ceremony at the new stadium in Taleigao could save the public exchequer “at least Rs 2 crore.”
Wagh also expressed his desire to have a permanent showcasing of Goan Konkani films at IFFI, but added that the Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) is yet to take a decision in the matter.
Preparations for the IFFI 2013 are gathering momentum, with the mega film event to be conducted between November 21 and December 2.
“The process to identify the chief guest at the opening ceremony has already started and DFF has short-listed national and international stars. One of them is Rajnikanth and he has been informed about the matter. We hope to have this superstar as our chief guest,” Wagh added.
“The IFFI opening ceremony needs to be held in a more spacious stadium which can cater to 4000-5000 delegates. We have identified 2-3 such places in North Goa, but have almost short-listed the stadium which is coming up for the forthcoming Lusofonia Games, close to Goa University at Taleigao,” said Wagh.
“Hosting the IFFI opening ceremony at this stadium will help us save at least Rs 2 crore, as we had to erect special infrastructure in Panjim last year at a cost of Rs 2 crore,” said Wagh.
“Besides, we have also requested the technical committee to see if they can hold the screening of the opening film for IFFI in the stadium itself, as it could be an added attraction and it can be watched by thousands of spectators inside the stadium,” Wagh added.
Asked if the State government would provide permanent infrastructure for IFFI events in Goa, Wagh replied: “We have not been able to create that type of infrastructure because the DFF has still not signed a permanent or a long-term agreement with the State for the IFFI.”
“Since the DFF revises the agreement every year, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has clearly told them that if they want Goa to be the permanent venue for the IFFI, they should sign a 5-year or 10-year agreement with the Goa government. Only then will we consider providing infrastructure necessary for IFFI. If there is no long-term agreement, there is no guarantee that IFFI will stay in Goa in future, as the Centre could easily shift IFFI to some other location,” Wagh said.
Wagh informed that the entire budget is about Rs 15-17 crore, which includes 85% contribution of the State government.
“The only issue is that the organization of the festival is still with DFF and the ESG is unhappy as we are yet to get our rightful place in the organization of IFFI. However, the ESG will not make it an issue and we will full cooperate with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to ensure that the IFFI is successful,” he added.
Asked if any Konkani films would be part of this year’s IFFI, Wagh replied: “I would like to have a permanent showcasing of Goan Konkani films at IFFI but the DFF is yet to give its decision in the matter. I would love to have a Konkani section at IFFI, as it would showcase Konkani films to delegates from other parts of the State and abroad, as they need to appreciate the progress of the Goan film industry.”
The IFFI opening ceremony needs to be held in a more spacious stadium which can cater to 4000-5000 delegates. We have identified 2-3 such places in North Goa, but have almost short-listed the stadium which is coming up for the forthcoming Lusofonia Games, said Wagh
