The 45th International Film Festival at Goa

A film festival has been likened to  a sort of gladiators' arena, where Directors and Actors have to be ready for criticism irrespective of their past performances and stature on the world stage . A somewhat similar is the fate of organisers of film festivals. While the organisors put their heart and soul into organisation and planning accompanied by brainstorming  on ways to innovate , there is always some scope for criticism at the hands of media. audience and also residents of the host city . International film festival at Goa (IFFI) is no exception.

The Opening Ceremony

The Chief Guests

The 45th edition of IFFI at Goa which opened with usual fanfare on 20th November this year in august presence of the two iconic  personalities of Indian cinema Amitabh Bachhan and Rajnikanth representing the cinema for Hindi and non Hindi films, at the very early stage appeared to be losing steam due to absence of celebrities specially from bollywood film industry. The opening ceremony dominated by  colourful imitation of dances from Indian films as well as the longish speech from chief guest Amitabh Bachhan liberally adorned with pieces of hindi poetry served to the konkani speaking and foreign audience  also had it's comic moments when one of the distinguished dignitaries had a memory loss while trying to recall the name of Rajniknth who was conferred with lifetime achievement award in the ceremony.The crowd predominately comprising of youngsters had waited patiently braving the overcrowded venue, to see their favourite star Rajnikanth on stage and the excitement reached it's fever pitch when Amitabh and Rajni embraced each other on stage.

the Macqueniz  Palace Complex 

THE ESG Office

The IFFI which is hosted jointly by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt of India and Entertainment Society of Goa ( ESG-an agency set up by Govt. of Goa) has come a long way since it was first hosted at Goa in 2004 under imaginative arrangements worked out by Moanohar Parrikar the then Chief Minister of Goa. It was a befitting farewell festival for Parrikar since after tireless struggle for seeking Goa as permanent venue the State finally succeeded in it's efforts.when the  festival Director announced in a grand manner that henceforth Goa shall be eternal home,eternal residence and eternal land for IFFI. 

The Inox Courtyard

Inox Booking Windows

The beautiful Inox Courtyard which is now the hub of all major activities connected with the Film Fest had come up with four screens the festival activities are also shared by Kala Academy theatre . Over the years Maqinez Palace Complex which houses IFFI Secretariat has developed two Mini auditoriums which cater to select categories like short films and student films. The available seats as of now are around 2500 although the demand per day may be twice or thrice of the availability.The venue for opening ceremony had been shifted Dr SP Mukherjee Stadium recently inaugrated for Lusofonia Games at Goa University.  But the huge stadium with seating capacity of  four thosand was soon bursting at seams due to usual tendency for generous  distribution of  of VIP Passes.

Decorated Court Yard at Kala Academy

The major intake for the festival is in the  Dinanath Mangeshkar theatre at Kala Academy which has capacity of around 1000 seats. The Kala Academy located on banks of Mandovi river has a theatre with unique features designed by Charles Correa in 1969. The surroundings and  colourful decorations add glamour to the International Festival .  A number of film fans get to see old popular indian films in open air theatre at adjoining Campal grounds.

Inside the KA Theatre

View of Mandovi River from Kala Academy

Delegates taking a break

Permanent venue for  the IFFI has been a regular bone of contention between Govt. of Goa and Govt. of India.  Govt. of Goa has been regularly asserting it's claim for the IFFI being assigned to Goa on permanent basis .The claim is based on the excellent infrastructure, locational advantage and keenness of Goa Govt. to develop a permanent venue for the festival. Other major international filmfests are also assigned to specific venues. The Directorate of Film Festival and Ministry of I & B have however been keen to maintain a state of uncertainty year after year. A positive development which took place in this festival was assignment of IFFI to Goa on permanent basis.

In the the initial stages of IFFI Goa the criticism centered around non availability of seats and cornering of large number of delegate passes by persons not truly involved with the film activities. Subsequent linkage of ticketing through computerised software has substantially mitigated criticism on that aspect. Every delegate card holder is entitled to book three tickets on each day of the festival. The delegate cards can be obtained online from ESG website against registration fees of three hundred rupees.

The Film Fest is held from 20th to 27 Nov. when the weather is at it's best in Goa. The  Panjim city is all decked up for festival with imaginative decorations and lightings . Goa a place connected with fun and frolick with cruise boats and casinos adds up to the feeling of festivities . 

 

Fans at DNM Theatre

Banks of River Mandovi

The IFFI has now added new activities such as " Master's class " for budding film makers and open forum where major achievers in the world of film making interact with film enthusiast to share knowledge and evaluate feed back on various aspects of film making. The festival also has a fair share of retrospectives on masters of Indian and world  Cinema.

Posters exhibition by National Film Archives Of India

 A number of allied activities like Film Bazar and exhibition organised by National Film Archives Pune show casing the film posters,  exibhition of cameras used in film making  add to the attractions in the festival.The exhibition organised by NFAI Pune this year added new display formats to include musical highlights of the films.

Exhibition OF Cameras

 The country focus in this festival was on China . The Festival provided an opportunity for witnessing the skills of some of the brightest Directors in China and showcasing brilliantly made films like Finding Mr. Right, Silent Witness and  American dreams in China.The opening film  The President too was a carefully selected work of art. The Director Mohsen Makhmalbaf from Iran who was present for interacting with audience explained as to how the film seeks to provide a way out from the present day political complexities which have gripped many nations after overthrowing of dictatorial regimes. Makhmalbakh's film reminded the audience about the need for finding a non violent and democratic way of governace and after watching his film and hearing about his own experience none could  disagree.