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Preparations on for 36th IFFI in Goa Mumbai | November 22, 2005 2:17:19 PM IST Massive preparation is on to make the forthcoming 36th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa a grand success. The festival, beginning November 24, in its second year at the permanent venue, would showcase the rich cultural heritage of Goa. Addressing media persons in Mumbai on Monday, the CEO of the festival, Sanjit Rodrigues said that the 36th IFFI would be the best excuse to "showcase Goa's art, talent and culture". The response so far has been tremendous and the registration is expected to double this year compare to last year as the festival has a very good international flavour too. "The response for last year's festival was excellent. This year we have improved organizationally because we have learnt a lot. The response being received by Goa is tremendous. Last year around 2,000 to 2,500 people had registered. This year it might go upto around 4,000 to 4,500. We will have a very good international flavour this year," said Rodrigues. The music launch of Sanjay Dutt-starrer "Zinda" will be a highlight of the closing ceremony of the Film Festival. "This is the only international film festival that is being held in India. I think it is a great platform to be able to launch your music in it. There are lots of people... Indian as well as international and Zinda is a film that has a little bit of international edge to it as well," said Lara Dutta, one of the starcast of the movie directed by Sanjay Gupta that includes Sanjay Dutt and John Abraham also. "Goa has always been a special place and, you know, what is unique about the music of Zinda. The film does not have a conventional formula kind of a film. So it does not have any songs and dances in the film. The song is a thriller. So it has been all the more challenging to create music for the film," added Sanjay Gupta, director of Zinda. As many as 200 films from India and abroad would be screened at the IFFI, being held in Goa for the second consecutive time. Only recently, the tiny tourist state was declared a permanent venue to host the prestigious festival. The festival will open with Brazilian film "Olga" on November 24. Sixteen films will vie for the top honours in an expanded competition that now includes Africa and Latin America in addition to Asia. five-member international jury headed by Chilean filmmaker Miguel Litin will judge the Best Film for Rs one million worth Golden Peacock Award. Critically acclaimed international films from Asian, African, European and Latin American countries will be screened along with a number of Indian feature and non-feature films during this mega film festival, he added. The Indian Panorama has 21 feature films and 16 non-feature films while the mainstream section will have 12 films like "Salaam Namaste" and "Bunty Aur Babli". (ANI)
