Union Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunshi’s announcement to continue Goa as permanent International Film Festival of India (IFFI) venue has evoked mostly positive reaction from filmmakers.
While a few still maintain their viewpoint that Goa is not suitable to host such an international festival, many feel that infrastructure upgradation has made it a right choice.
Dasmunshi, while inaugurating IFFI 2007, had declared that Goa will continue to be IFFI venue while the central government plans for various film festivals across the country.
“Goa is the best place as long as two issues environment and economy are looked into,” eminent director Shekhar Kapoor, said.
He said that in places like Cannes, the film festival has helped to bolster the economy of the state. “I think Goa can do that and it should help the state’s economy and people”.
The state which has been hosting the festival since 2004 has added 50 per cent additional infrastructure for IFFI 2007 compared to its edition last year. Instead of five screens last time, this year the films are being screened on nine screens at three different venues.
“It is really a good decision to have Goa as a permanent venue. The state should be allowed to continue and grow,” Bollywood filmmaker Ketan Mehta said.
Mehta, who actively participated in National Film Division Corporation’s film bazaar during IFFI, opined that Goa should be given time to grow as a film festival venue.
