Terrorism and insurgency hot topics at IFFI

Panaji, Nov 28 (UNI) Three days into the Mumbai attacks, the International Film Festival of India 2008 saw terrorism and insurgency being the hot topics of discussion apart from the usual film talks.

Delegates could be seen discussing in groups at all the venues - Macquines Palace, Old GMC, Inox and Kala Academy - of the IFFI 2008 about the Mumbai attacks. It seemed that the discussion had shifted from films to terrorism and everywhere the discussion was live.

Delegates seemed to be more enthusiastic on the terror strikes rather than the films. Even late night yesterday, delegates coming out of the Inox and Kala Akademy after seeing the films, were more anxiously talking of the terror attacks than the films they had seen.

A condolence meeting was held at the media room this morning, where Director of Film Festivals S M Khan, mediapersons and others were present. All the screenings yesterday had begun with a one minute silence paying homage to those who lost their lives in terrorist attack.

All the peripheral functions like the cultural shows and musical extravaganza which were part of festival were cancelled taking into account the demise of former Prime Minister V P Singh and the attacks in Mumbai.

''The state had declared seven days mourning on the demise of Mr Singh. The Governing Council today decided to cancel all the peripheral functions which were being conducted as part of the film festival,'' Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat told reporters here today.

Meanwhile, Goa has been put on ''high alert'' and security has been strengthened in and around IFFI venues. Security was fight at the main entrance and at all cinema halls.

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