Star News Agency

Panaji (Goa). The Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Digambar V. Kamat has assured the people that the State of Goa is all set to host the 40th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) – 2009. Shri Kamat reiterated that there is no security threat to the Film Festival and the people need not feel concerned on this account. The Chief Minister was addressing a press conference here today along with the Festival Director Shri S. M. Khan from the Directorate of Film Festivals of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India as also with the CEO of the Entertainment Society of Goa, Shri Manoj Srivastava and the Chief Secretary of Goa, Shri Sanjay Srivastava.

Enumerating the highlights of IFFI-2009, Shri Kamat pointed out that ‘Goa, a Celluloid Destination’ would be an important section this time. The idea is to promote Goa as a shooting destination for all the international directors, producers and other film makers. It was informed that at least eight films shot in Goa will be screened during the Festival.

In a bid to make even the Aam Adami participate in the Festival, a new idea of ‘T20 of Indian Cinema’, nominating the best of twenty films produced in the last 96 years, has been introduced this year. The Chief Minister informed that an overwhelming response spanning over three generations of families has been received. The Closing Ceremony of T20 announcing the winners would be held on November 30, 2009 culminating with a fashion show on the theme ‘Fashion in Indian Cinema’.

The Chief Minister also informed that in keeping with the festive spirit, the Goa Chamber of Commerce has decided to include about 100 enterprises in the city of Panaji for a shopping festival for IFFI delegates. On the sidelines, at the Corniche between Old GMC and Kala Academy Goan cultural activities would also be showcased between 23rd November to 3rd December 2009.

As another new initiative, the Films Division of Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, is organizing ‘Moments with the Maestros’ from November 24 to November 30, 2009. The Section will present set of short films/ documentaries based on the Indian music maestros. For the first time, Malegaon industry of remakes also gets an international platform with the screening of two of their films – Yeh Hai Malegaon Ka Superman and Gabbarbhai MBBS.

Shri S. M. Khan, the Festival Director pointed out that the International Film Festival of India is also noted worldwide for the attractive awards given out at this Festival. Shri Khan elaborated that the Best Film Award to the Director and Producer of the Award Winning Film in the Competition Section carries a prize money of Rs. 40 lakhs and the Golden Peacock Award. Shri Khan also said that in keeping with the recommendations of the International Jury last year, this year’s Silver Peacock Award along with monetary prize of Rs. 15 lakhs would go to the Best Director rather than to the Best Debut Director as had been the practice till last year. The Special Jury Award at IFFI also carries a sum of Rs. 15 lakhs along with the Silver Peacock Award. He informed that this year films from Croatia, Estonia, Italy, and Poland will be screened under the “Country Focus” Section at IFFI-2009. 75 years of Assamese cinema and screening of Telugu musical hits will be yet another novelty for IFFI-2009. The Indian Section at IFFI - 2009 under nine different segments will screen 77 films. The Indian Panorama at IFFI 2009 would present a bouquet of 44 films, 26 feature films and 18 non-feature films. Shri Khan informed that the Spanish film ‘Broken Embraces’ will be the closing film for IFFI-2009.