The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Goa, who also is the Minister
for Information & Publicity, deputed a ministerial delegation
to the Cannes Film Festival, in May 2003 to assess the possibility
of hosting the International Film Festival in India and also to
acquaint themselves with the requirements for the same.
The Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting, along
with the officials of the Ministry, also visited the Cannes Film
Festival and on his return decided to declare Goa, as the permanent
place for holding the IFFI in this State. A meeting of the Key
Advisory Group comprising eminent film personalities and senior
officials of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting was
convened under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister for Information
and Broadcasting on June 4, 2003 where the Minister made an announcement
in consultation with the Key Advisory Group for making Goa the
permanent venue.
In all five sites in Goa were identified by a Working Group constituted
by the Hon'ble Chief Minister which included Bambolim - Panaji,
Betul, Cavelossim, Varca and Aguada Plateau. Preceding a meeting
of the members of the Key Advisory Group under the Chairmanship
of Chief Minister, a presentation was made in respect of these
five sites taking into consideration all pros and cons the different
parameters like distance from the airport, general ambience, proximity
from beaches, availability of land and infrastructure, security
angles, utility of facilities created throughout the year and
acceptability by the local people. At this first meeting, following
the presentations, the Group shortlisted three sites, Velsao,
Fort Aguada Plateau and Campal - Panaji.
A second meeting of the Key Advisory Group held on August in Goa
on August 23/24, 2003, was Chaired by the Union Minister of Information
& Broadcasting, Mr. Ravi Shanker Prasad. The Key Advisory Group
members after a day’s intensive tour to the three shortlisted
sites Velsao, Fort Aguada and Campal - Panaji, had the opportunity
to give their comments about the most ideal location for holding
the IFFI. Thus Kala Academy Complex - Campal in Panaji was unanimously
selected as the site for holding the Festival. It was also decided
to host the International Film Festival in India in December, 2004
or beginning of January 2005.
