Much water has flown down the Mandovi ever since the International Film Festival of India made its maiden appearance in Goa in 2004. A lot has been spoken about the benefits this festival brings to the State in terms of revenue and tourism. While Panaji glitters in all its glory for the 50th edition of the festival, it’s time the State looks beyond, and focuses on building our film industry.
One of the prime concerns raised was that none of the Konkani films was being selected for the Indian Panorama section. Jury chairman Priyadarshan Nair set the issue to rest stating that better films cannot be ignored to include local language films at an international platform, and yes, there cannot be a bargain for Konkani language films because the festival is held in Goa. That brings us to a point of introspection. Where have Goan films reached after fifteen years of IFFI in the State?
The film industry across the nation is moving at a rapid pace and so is story-telling. Goa has shown keen interest in setting up infrastructure for the IFFI, but has failed to create a conducive environment for filmmakers of the State. Which is why the sector remains in an infancy stage and the films are still not in a position to compete at the IFFI. It is disappointing to see that even a national award-winning film Amori failing to make the cut.
Goa has made a few humble beginnings some years back, but there’s not much progress and filmmakers in the State continue to grapple with finances. Big budget films like Nachom-ia Kumpasar are an exception because they could connect to an audience across the world. But there are other movies like Nirmon, Questao de Confusao, A Rainy Day, O La La, Home Sweet Home etc that have attracted audiences but have still struggled. Going in for big-budget movies in Goa is still a gamble. If we may recall, there are a few film producers in the State who have gone bankrupt.
Goan films continue to remain in a restricted field mainly because the audience is limited. Film industry elsewhere is making giant strides because they have resources at the disposal “ from infrastructure, studios, equipment including sophisticated cameras. What is Goa offering? The government of Goa is providing subsidies to filmmakers based on the grading and a top graded film could get a subsidy of up to 50 per cent. However, the producer will still have to make full investment and complete his project. Moreover, government subsidies have dried up since 2016 and producers have not got any support since then.
Another opportunity that IFFI provides Goa is to showcase its tourism and woo the film producers from across the world. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant while welcoming the film fraternity to Goa with the popular “Films, Fish and Football” slogan needs to seriously put in place a single-window clearance system for the film industry. Odisha has done just that at the IFFI. The Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha has offered subsidies up to Rs 2.5 crore and announced single-window clearances for all film-related approvals. Mind you, clearances are major roadblocks for any film projects and there are around 25-30 approvals that are required before the camera starts rolling.
Fifteen years of IFFI hosting and Goa is still to catch the eye of the film industry. It’s time to take stock.
