Goa works on its script for IFFI 35

So what if IFFI 34 did not bring in the crowds, the stars or the films? Next year promises to be different as Goa CM Manohar Parrikar, who p...

So what if IFFI 34 did not bring in the crowds, the stars or the films? Next year promises to be different as Goa CM Manohar Parrikar, who plays the host, has some plans up his sleeve.

To begin with, he would like the festival dates shifted to December, immediately after December 3, the death anniversary of Saint Francis Xavier. This, the CM reckons, would work up the crowds. At a meeting with I&B Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday, Parrikar conveyed his state’s readiness to host IFFI. ‘‘I will be ready by August next year,’’ he said. Adding that he was in favour of holding the festival immediately after the anniversary, Parrikar said: ‘‘I have indicated my preference. The Ministry has to decide.’’

As thousands flock to pay homage to the Saint, the crowds would come not only from and around Goa but also across the shores. Parrikar, I&B Ministry officials said, is also ready with plans to dress up Goa for IFFI 35. Organisers of IFFI 34 have been walloped for not getting a good foreign films. Next year, plans are on to rope in the film industry to suggest films and ideas to make the festival an enduring brand. Close to Rs 35 crore is being spent on improving infrastructure in the state. Plans are afoot to have multiplexes, a floating theatre with a capacity to hold nearly 300 people and talks are on with a Hyderabad-based group.

The I&B Ministry, organiser of IFFI, will in the coming days take stock of Parrikar’s proposal. Organisers of Cannes Film Festival will also offer suggestions to restore some of IFFI’s lost shine.

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