from Ares
for Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, May 29: The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2008 expects to have a blend of bollywood and regional films with the introduction of bollywood premiers in it.
 
"This year we will be having bollywood premier section in which movies would be premiered which will bring in cast and crew," entertainment society of Goa general manager Nikhil Desai told reporters here.
 
The IFFI which was shifted to Goa in the year 2004 had its own share of controversies when regional film-makers bitterly complained about the less importance given to them and pampering of bollywood stars.
 
After facing the criticism for three years, IFFI 2007 was sans much bollywood presence. "But the delegates and media started complaining that the festival lacks glamour," Desai said.
 
The ESG, which hosts the festival along with directorate of film festival, has now decided that the IFFI 2008 will be mixed blend of both - bollywood and regional. "We will pamper both the kind of artists," the ESG GM said.
 
The festival organizers, in a bid to avoid last minute rush have decided to finalise the event management firm in the first week of June. "Four firms including Brilliant Entertainment, Times Innovative Ltd, Wizcraft and one more agency have shown expression of interest (EOI)," Desai said.
 
ESG's governing council will scrutinize the bids and will be alloting the contract for next three years.
 
"This will help us to plan the sponsorers in advance," Desai said.
 
The Goa government, in the governing council meeting, will also take the stand on which year to host the festival on its own. The festival is currently hosted along with the directorate of film festival, he said.