Goa to conduct IFFI on its own by 2008

Panaji, May 2 (UNI) The prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will be conducted entirely by the Goa Government by 2008 when the event is likely to become ''self-sustaining'' and the State has already establised its brand name for the show.

''The Directorate of Film Festivals (DFF) will have no role after 2008 when the IFFI becomes self-sustaining under the stewardship of Goa Government,'' Goa chief secretary J P Singh told media persons here today. ''We are learning various processes in the conduct of the event, including networking with top producers and selecting foreign and domestic films,'' he added.

Tenders have already been floated for selecting the event manager for the 37th edition of IFFI which will be held between November 23 and December 3 this year. One out of the eleven bidders will be short-listed at a meeting soon, Mr Singh said.

''In due course, we would manage the event on our own without involving event managers as we gain in expertise. We will take over about eight of the 24 steps involved in the conduct of the IFFI,'' he said.

With the event attracting tremendous response from sponsors, it would be a self-sustaining affair by the year 2008 and would be run by the Entertainment Society of Goa itself without depending on the event managers. The terms for the INOX multiplex, which was the venue for screening the films, would also be finalised soon, he said.

The proposed International Convention Centre with a seating capacity of about 4000, is also expected to be ready by 2008. The Central Government has, however, advised the State to appoint the event manager for selecting films and networking till it gained the expertise to manage on its own, he added.

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