http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=15415&n_tit=Goa%3A+Controversies+Continue+to+Dog+State+Film+Festival
News -- Goa: Controversies Continue to Dog State Film Festival from Rupesh Samant in Panaji for Daijiworld News Network - Goa Panaji, Oct 16: It's films and film producers that are making headlines in Goa. Goa state film festival, a sort of prelude to International Film Festival of India (IFFI), has its share of controversy as producers of seven out of eight films participating in the festival raising protest. The festival which will be kicked off from Monday (October 17) was in the news when producers expressed their bitterness over state government's biased attitude. 'Alisha', one of the films participating in the festival, was promised Rs 25 lakh government assistance, to be paid during the festival. This irked rest of the film-makers who smelled bias attitude in the announcement. "Why should only one film maker be pampered and rest be left to look out for their own finances,'' was the unanimous question from the film makers. After initial threatening to boycott the state film festival, the producers have now toned down. ``We will meet chief minister Pratapsingh Rane and address our grievances,'' stated Milind Mhadgut, a film maker, who's Chakra film is figuring in the list. The festival has 8 films produced in Konkani and Marathi language and is hosted by directorate of Information and publicity. This is the third version of state film festival. The first one was held in 1997, second one in 1999 and after a gap of four years, third festival would be held from tomorrow. "We are not opposed to film festival. In fact, we have been pressuring then Manohar Parrikar government to hold the festival. Our contention is for equal justice,'' said Jyoti Cuncolienkar, a lady film maker who's Daulat film will be exhibited during the festival. -- Cheers, Gabe Menezes. London, England
