With the Memorandum of Understanding between the state and the central government for the International Film Festival of India 2008 still remaining to be signed, the Entertainment Society of Goa, challenging the �supremacy� of the directorate of film festivals over the organisation of the mega film event, has already posted its ambitious �Short Film Centre� project, on the ESG website. The ESG has further asked the applicants for the Short Film Centre to apply on-line at www.reelport.org or download the form at www.shortfilmcenter.org and send it to Short Film Centre, Maquinez Palace, Panaji, with the registration deadline being October 15, 2008, while the registration fee fixed is Rs 1,000 for Indians and USD 30 for non-Indians. IFFI 2008 is scheduled to be held in Goa from November 22 to December 2, later this year, and the period of organisation of the Short Film Centre will coincide with the IFFI period. The website of the directorate of film festivals, the major organiser of the mega film event, has however no mention of the Short Film Centre. Incidentally, the draft of the MoU for the IFFI 2008 as prepared by the state government and sent to the directorate of film festivals had provision for the Short Film Centre. However, the new MoU draft dated August 18, 2008, prepared by the DFF and forwarded to the state government by the section officer of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Mr K Ganesh has no provision for any Short Film Centre. It is learnt from reliable sources that the proposed Short Film Centre appears to be a replica of the Film Bazaar, the commercial component of the IFFI, and hence the DFF is not in favour of the same. The Short Film Centre, as envisaged by the ESG is a business platform being created at the International Film Festival of India for the first time in an effort to bring the short film makers, buyers, festival organisers and funding agencies on one single platform. Over 500 films are expected to be registered for the Short Film Centre of which 20 films will be selected for international competition and 10 films will be selected for �Vasudha� awards. The expected cost for the Short Film Centre is expected to be approximately Rs 26 lakh, with the prize money component of Rs 14 lakh as mentioned in the budget to be wholly sponsored. An ESG delegation led by the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat, which is expected to leave for New Delhi later this month to sort out the differences with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting over the organisational powers for the IFFI, may face opposition for the Short Film Centre from the DFF authorities, more so as the ESG has already announced the project on its website without bothering to wait for the consent of the DFF and the signing of the Memorandum. Forwarded by: Goa's Pride - http://www.goa-world.com http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=_Avn6_AepNw&feature=related Gulf-Goans e-Newsletter is presented by Ulysses Menezes, www.goa-world.com and moderated by Gaspar Almeida (since 1994)
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