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Goa to host Asia Pacific Film Festival next year

PANAJI: Goa will host the Asia Pacific Film Festival next year ahead of the 39th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat made this announcement during the inauguration of the upgraded infrastructure facilities at the venue of the IFFI-2007 on Thursday. He said Goa had received the offer to host the festival. Speaker Pratapsingh Rane and Chief Secretary J. P. Singh were present.

Clarifying that he had neither received any communication about shifting of the IFFI from Goa nor was it discussed at any point, Mr. Kamat said: “This media speculation is pointless and would not deter Goa from developing and upgrading its infrastructure to hold more film festivals in future.”

Mr. Singh earlier said that the latest addition to the facilities, which comprised two mini-theatres with a seating a capacity of 306, would enhance the total screening capacity of the IFFI this year to nine theatres with 3,200 seats compared with five with 2,100 seating capacity during the last three years. Goa had so far spent about Rs. 150 crore on infrastructure development meant for IFFI. This has been done after the State was accorded the status of permanent venue for the IFFI, he said.

Referring to media speculations that IFFI may be shifted from Goa back to Delhi, the Chief Minister said: “We should not be unduly worried about such talk, because nobody has really told me anything of that sort. Goa has been chosen after proper thought, as it happens to be one of the finest international destinations of tourism. Goa is a brand which has added value to the IFFI. Film personalities from within the country as well as from world over love to come to Goa.” He said that he would send an official invitation to his West Bengal counterpart to attend the IFFI to be held from November 23 to December 3 as State guest to have a first hand experience of the festival.

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