Egged on by film moguls, Goa mulls pull out of IFFI >From Pamela D'Mello [EMAIL PROTECTED] The Asian Age, Aug 27, Newsmakers
Panaji, Aug 26: India's international film festival IFFI co-hosts, the Entertainment Society of Goa is considering pulling out of the film festival, after its push for increased partnership was rebuffed. Propelled by support from film industry moguls keen to take control of the festival and relaunch an expanded glitzier version, the ESG is talking tough about developing its own Goa film festival brand in the ongoing partnership tussle with Directorate of Film Festivals. This year, ESG sought use of its single software platform for registration and ticketing, and a share in programming of Indian premieres, and world cinema. Both were rejected by DFF earlier this week, prompting some tough talking from the Goa semi-government body that co-hosted IFFI for the past four years, since a much-hyped debut in 2004. "We were promised a complete handover by 2008.Then they changed their mind. Now we are only asking for a greater role. We do put in 80% of the funds, but are treated like junior partners. This is no longer tenable," ESG general manager Nikhil Dessai told this newspaper. He said ESG and Goa would need to rethink its position, based on the state's long term plan to develop itself as an entertainment and film production hub. The ESG governing board is shortly expected to discuss DFF's rejection and take a call on its future course. One of the options being considered is a new Goa festival brand. ESG's new found confidence to bargain hard, comes from backend support it has from moguls in the film industry and private sponsors "waiting to jump in". ESG already has a realistic assessment of its ability to go solo, it claims. Consultants it has been in talks with could bring in 175 top notch festival films, it says. Many see ESG though as a front for a proxy tussle between commercial movie czars straining to increase the razzmatazz and the DFF, which want to retain IFFI's serious avatar, besides compulsions to cater to pan Indian, regional and alternative independent cinema. ESG is already keen to take over Indian premieres, increase the glamour quotient, and bring in Hollywood stars for red carpet openings. "DFF has its limitations. An independent festival would mean the possibilities are limitless, and would have a cascading effect", says Dessai, brimming with confidence. Prizes, prize money and categories could be increased, short films brought in, besides other sections. He said sponsors and backers, not just from next door Bollywood, but from Kolkatta, South Indian cinema, and contacts in Cannes and Hollywood, are backing ESG's plans. "We've had talks with the industry. They want revolutionary changes -- a greater role for the industry, more business opportunities, more seminars, better films and old ways of functioning will not facilitate that", adds Dessai. (ends) -- Pamela D'Mello M: 9850461649 http://pameladmello.wordpress.com http://www.youtube.com/user/pameladmello