IFFI mixed of mainstream and regional films
The International Film Festival of India-2006, scheduled to begin here on November 23, will be a blend of mainstream and regional cinemas, its organisers said today.
“The theme of the opening ceremony itself will be the diversity of Indian cinema and it will showcase our regional film’s creativity,” Goa Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane told reporters here.
The festival, in its 37th year, will be inaugurated by veteran actor Shashi Kapoor.
Eane said the gala star night, to be held during the inaugural ceremony, will have representation from across India.
“We will have a red carpet welcome for guests on the lines of the Cannes Festival. A special jetty has been built behind Kala Academy (the inaugural venue) which will be used to take guests to the festival hotel (where they will stay) via waterways,” Rane said.
The 11-day festival will open with Penelope Cruz’s comedy “Volver” and end with Brad Pitt’s “The Babel”, said Rane, who is chairman of the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), the nodal agency for the festival.
Considering the security scenario, the state government has requisitioned two additional paramilitary companies comprising some 1,200 personnel from the Centre, he said.
Extra vigil is being maintained at important beaches where films will be screened and concerts held.
“The main venue will be manned by Goa Police and we will use paramilitary forces at public places,” said Chief Secretary J P Singh, who was also present during the briefing with Nandini Paliwal, the CEO of ESG.
Rane said Rs 5 crore had been raised in the form of sponsorship for the Rs 10-crore festival. “We intend to become self sustained by 2008 and bear the cost of the entire festival,” he added.
“Goa is emerging as a destination for films and we have been successful in holding the festival for the past three years. We want to make the state a hub for film activities,” rane said.
— PTI
Leave a Reply