DFF justifies ticketing system for delegates, media

Panaji, Nov 21 (UNI) Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) director Neelam Kapur today justified the ticketing system for media and other delegates at the 38th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which is being introduced for the first time.

Addressing a press conference here where several mediapersons demanded that they be excluded from the ticketing system, Ms Kapur said the system was an efficient mode to regulate crowds outside theatres. ''This system, in force at all major international film festivals, is fair and just. Delegates can book three films, film industry professionals can get tickets for four shows while the media can see five shows in a day.

She explained that earlier delegates who crowded theatres could not get to see the films they wanted. But, with the introduction of the ticketing system, all delegates will be able to watch the films of their choice.

There will be 15 ticketing counters -- six at INOX, seven at the Old GMC complex, one at Kala Academy, one at Samrat and Ashok theatres. One counter will be exclusively for the media, she added.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said the infrastructure this year had been upgraded by 50 per cent with nine screens and seating capacity of nearly 3000. Apart from the existing four screens of INOX and one of Kala Academy, two public theatres and two screens at the newly refurbished Maquinez palace on the Old GMC complex premises have been added, he informed.

He said after the state-of-the-art convention centre at Dona Paula, with a seating capacity of 4,000 comes up, the infrastructure will get a further boost.

Mr Kamat said a total of 3500 delegates had registered so far out of which 1400 were from Goa. A total 300 mediapersons registered for the 38th edition of the IFFI out of which 80 journalists were from the state. Ms Kapur said as compared to the Cannes film festival where there is a seating capacity of 10,000 for 50,000 delegates, the arrangement at IFFI was much better where 5000 delegates can be accomodated in a seating capacity of 3000.

Ms Kapur said as per the ticketing system, 15 per cent of the total seats in a theatre will be booked for the media.

Speaking about the film industry participation, Ms Kapur said there was a lot of enthusiasm and interest from film industry professionals in IFFI. ''There is no question of a ban on any industry professional. Most of the time, those film industry professionals are invited whose films are participating in the IFFI.'' she replied, when asked if the Bachchan family had been banned at the festival.

Ms Kapur said important international films will be screened at INOX or Kala Academy which has more number of seats. All films will have two shows and hence the media can watch the second show if they miss the first one. She said every festival needed time to build up when it begins at a new place. Content, infrastructure and enthusiasm of the audience makes a film festival succeed and the IFFI brand is being built in Goa over a period of time, she added.

Goa is all set to host the 38th IFFI for the fourth time in succession from November 23. Bollywood 'Badshah' Shah Rukh Khan and upcoming Tamil actress Priya Mani will be present for the inaugural event.

UNI