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ESG NEWSDESK, Oct 10:
1. What tasks do you see ahead of you to bring more professionalism to the 37th International Film Festival of India?
We are definitely focused on working towards achieving self sufficiency, beginning this year, to make IFFI a sustainable film festival for Goa in the years to come. Experts and advisers have been hired in the field of film programming, media, and event management to ensure quality in the logistics, arrangements, marketing, promotion and all spheres alike of the film festival in the country and abroad. A synergy of public and private enterprise and talent will direct trends in the better representation of the event.
2. How best can Goa learn from its contemporaries? What can Goa look forward to this festival?
Goa has a cultural and geographical profile of its own as an international tourist destination. As often quoted, we can draw comparisons with Cannes because of its resort-like seaside environment, but Goa is not really Cannes in terms of its infrastructure. We must note that the Cannes festival is 59-years-old. Similarly, many lessons can be learnt from the Venice and Toronto Film Festivals which have taken a long time to develop in its stature. In comparison, Goa is only two-years-old in hosting the event. Surely, we can and must improvise on the concept, but the content will have to take into consideration the cultural influences of India and how best we can adapt and mould our features to suit international requirements. This year, Goa can look forward to a better presentation in terms of content in films and events. We are also planning a broad-based wider regional presentation of varied Indian cinema, while building an increased interest in local representation. This year, a short film making competition, programmes in film journalism, film appreciation, film direction and script writing under the aegis of Art & Culture, Govt of Goa will help towards the festival build-up.
3. Would you say there is enough curiosity and participation coming forth from overseas?
Given the successful retrospectives of countries like Italy, France, Germany which participated last year, this year we are looking forward having a richer representation from all over the world. The Directorate of Film Festivals, Delhi is still in the process of finalizing film content. The Film Bazaar hopes to attract diasporas of international and local film makers and distributors.
4. What makes the Indian film festival different from other world recognized film festivals?
In the long run, do you envisage it will help build the image of Goa internationally?
IFFI has a unique flavour which is quaint to the rest of the countries worldwide. For one, the synthesis of Eastern and Western cultures appeals to international delegates. IFFI does not believe in imitating blindly from the West, but drawing the best elements for a better representation of our cinema, through the coming together of Bollywood and world cinema at a common platform.
In the long run, IFFI will promote, market and enhance the image of Goa as a world-class travel destination by providing opportunities for year-round travel and lifestyle holidays, snowballing infrastructure and development effects to keep up with the changes.
5. IFFI has constantly come under fire in Goa. How do you propose to set the image right.
To set new changes going, initial investment requirements are absolutely necessary to create an environment conducive for the promotion of film culture. Every new idea or a project has its gestation period, before the results begin to show. The right information tools are required to seek the support of the public and make them part of the inherent changes. In the years to come, we hope to take ideas to the public to make the festival better representative of Goa.
6. Outline ESG’s role and what Goa can look forward to in the near future.
Established by the Government of Goa, the objective of the Entertainment Society of Goa is to frame an entertainment policy to help cultivate Goa into a world-class international entertainment nerve center of the country. Spearheading this goal by hosting the International Film Festival of India since 2004, the Entertainment Society of India plans to initiate a year-round event calendar in the near future.
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