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Monday, Nov 29, 2004

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Film fete will have a Goan flavour: CM

By Anil Sastry

PANAJI, NOV. 28. Goa's capital, Panaji, is eagerly awaiting the launch of its first mega-international event — the 35th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on Monday.

With glowing promenades along the four-lane road running next to River Mandovi, from the just completed New Patto Bridge to the Festival Theatre Kala Academy, and buildings alongside the road shining with decorative lamps, the city presents a festive look. While a large number of media delegates have already arrived, other invitees are awaited.

With the colourised version of the mega film, `Mughal-e-Azam,' afresh in the minds of the public, the 10-day festival would be inaugurated by thespian Dilip Kumar along with the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Jaipal Reddy.

The inauguration would be followed by a live presentation of the latest compositions from Subhash Ghai's film, `Kisna,' by noted musician A.R. Rahman and thereafter by Mira Nair's `Vanity Fair.'

Speaking to reporters here this evening, the Goa Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar, said the selection of Goa as the permanent venue to hold the film fete would give a boost to the Indian film industry in the international market.

He said the organisers — the Directorate of Film Festivals, Government of India, the Union Information Ministry and the Goa Government — intended to make IFFI 2004 more than just a matter of watching a few films and giving away awards. It should be a platform for the Indian film industry to showcase its "products" and also promote Goa as tourism destination, Mr. Parrikar said. The Festival would have a distinct Indian and Goan flavour with enthusiastic participation by the local population.

More than 2,000 delegates have already confirmed their participation, he said.

The two centres of attraction for IFFI 04 — Kala Academy and the Old Goa Medical College precincts housing the IFFI office and the four-screen Multiplex — are located at a distance of around 600 metres. There will be no movement of traffic during the festival period on the road between them. While screening of films at the Festival Theatre is exclusively for the delegates, 25 per cent of seats in the 1,275-seat Multiplex are sold to the general public at a concessional rate.

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Film fete will have a Goan flavour: CM