From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Goa, Dec 1: State chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar has assured that the government will put in place all the infrastructure required to develop film culture in Goa within two years.
Parsekar was addressing the closing ceremony of 46th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), a ten day long event which culminated today.
“Goa being a permanent venue for IFFI, it is our responsibility to make available and also upgrade the necessary infrastructure to develop the film culture of Goa. On this day I assure you that my government is in the process of developing required infrastructure in the next two years,” the chief minister said.
Union minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathor, renowned musician A R Rehman and others were present on the stage during the concluding function.
Parsekar said the 46th IFFI has further enhanced the image of Goa as a world class film destination. “The eleven day long festival of acclaimed movies from all continents was of course a virtual treat for thousands of film lovers. We are indebted to IFFI for creating a film culture in this part of the country,” the chief minister said.
The IFFI, which was opened by Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor had 187 movies in world cinema section, while 47 films were shown in the Indian Panorama section.
Matthew Brown’s 'The Man Who Knew Infinity' was the opening film of the festival. The festival also hosted the ninth edition of NFDC film bazaar that focused on more than 150 film projects. Delegates from 38 countries participated in the Film Bazaar.
Parsekar said filmmakers of today look for and find new ways of influencing the audience, using the experience of film masters of the past, the latest technical solutions and their own know-how. They work towards the development of this art form, towards making it more and more universal and accessible to the popular masses. This helps to raise the standards of the international cultural dialogue and to take it to the new level, he said.