PANAJI
More than a year after it was thrown open for public after being closed for almost three-years for renovation work, the Kala Academy, for the second year in a row, will not host any film screenings for the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), which commences on November 20. Last year too, no films were screened at the venue, which was one of the added attraction of the festival, since 2004.
Addressing a press conference after a review meeting, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that Kala academy auditorium will be used for master-classes and the movie screening will take place in the parking area of the venue. He said that it is decided not to have film screening at Kala Academy, this festival.
The nine-day film festival will be held from November 20-28, with the State government expecting to spend nearly Rs 26 crore to organize the festival. "With inflation, the cost keeps increasing each year," Sawant said.
Meanwhile, the under-utilised Aguada and Vagator helipad have been roped in for film screening and other events, along with other venues.
Other sites for land screenings include Ravindra Bhavan and Miramar Beach, all of which will be accessible to the public. Key activities, including movie screenings and jury evaluations, will be conducted at the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), with access restricted to the general public. Other venues, including INOX Panaji, Porvorim, Samrat, and Ashok theatres, will also have restricted access.
Sawant said that the Central Board of Communication will host a special art exhibition along Yoga Setu, while the DB Football Ground will feature additional screenings, apart from Children festival at Art Park and Children Park.
A special section for Goan directors, who have excelled at national level, would be held, wherein they will be allowed to screen their movies and conduct master classes.
As part of this year’s festivities, a float parade, with movie theme, will take place from the ESG to Kala Academy on November 22.
Sawant said that preparations are in final stage and all work will be completed by November 15 and that he will personally conduct a ground review by November 18.
So far, over 3,659 registrations have been received for IFFI 2024, and delegates can still register online through the official IFFI website.
