From Our special Correspondent
Daijiworld News Service - Panaji
Panaji, Nov 17: Union Information and Broadcasting ministry has said Pune based Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) students would not be protesting at the venue of International Film Festival of India at Goa as 'they are patriots.'
Addressing a press conference in Goa, I&B secretary Sunil Arora rubbished the media speculations that FTII students will protest at the IFFI venue. The festival will begin from November 20 in Panaji, Goa.
He said the students are patriots and they will not besmirch the country’s reputation at such a global platform.
FTII students are protesting against the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the institute’s chairman.
Countdown begins for IFFI 2015 ; I&B Secretary reviews arrangements. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Government of Goa are working together through the Directorate of Film Festivals and
Entertainment Society of Goa respectively for organizing the 46th edition of the International Film Festival of India -IFFI 2015.
Secretary, Information & Broadcasting Sunil Arora along with chief secretary of Goa R K Srivastava and vice chairman of entertainment Society of Goa Damodar Naik, held two rounds of review meetings for
the arrangements in Goa for the International Film Festival of India.
Addressing media persons in Panaji today, Arora said “We have personally inspected and reviewed the preparations at different venues which include arrangements for the opening and closing ceremonies,
opening film, Indian Panorama section and arrangements for delegates and media in terms of hospitality and logistics.”
Arora further said that for the last 11 years, Goa has been the perfect venue for the lively interplay between art, cinema and the audience. "The film festival is ready to welcome a large film audience
in Goa with many new and exciting elements in its bouquet,” he added. The I&B secretary said, noted Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor would be the chief guest for the opening ceremony while Oscar winning music director A R Rehman would be present for the closing ceremony.
In the world cinema section of IFFI 2015, 187 films will be screened in various sections from 89 countries. Spain is the country of focus. The Indian Panorama section will bring a mélange of 47 spectacular films from India in feature and non-feature category. The opening film 'The Man Who Knew Infinity' directed by Mathew Brown is the true story of friendship that forever changed mathematics. In 1913, Ramanujan a self-taught Indian mathematics genius travelled to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he forged a bond with his mentor, professor G H Hardy who helped reveal his mathematic genius to the world.
Film Bazaar, in its 9th edition, will be focusing on more than 150 film projects at various stages under film labs, co-production market, viewing room and industry screening. Film Bazaar is aimed at facilitating collaboration in the realm of production and distribution. Delegates from 38 countries will be participating in the bazaar from November 20-24.
ESG vice chairman Damodar Naik welcomed the Government of India’s decision to declare Goa as the permanent venue of IFFI and promised all cooperation in staging a spectacular International Film Festival.
Chief secretary R K Srivastava said the state government machinery is fully geared to organize a successful festival, which would be a memorable experience for nearly 7000 delegates who would be taking part in the festival.