PANAJI
Chairman of the jury of the International Competition at the ongoing International Film Festival of India Shekar Kapur poured cold water on the Goa government’s long pending plans to build a convention centre to host the International Film Festival of India, saying that the real spirit of the festival lies in holding it in the city.
“There was some talk at that time (when IFFI first moved to Goa) that we will make the festival on some beautiful beach. I said no festival I've known works on the beach. It has to be in the city of Panjim where the city is, where the culture is. People will go to the festivals not only to see films but also to experience the culture of that place. And you will not experience the culture of Goa sitting on a beach or anywhere in the world,” Kapur said.
“What is a convention centre, it is a big hall. That's it, it's not cinema. It's a big hall and people come and talk. So I think there's a lot of infrastructure built in Goa right now. As far as a convention centre is concerned, I think there is enough private enterprise. I went to the Taj. There are so many convention centres here,” Kapur said.
Kapur, who addressed a press conference on Monday, recalled his days before the festival moved to Goa and his interactions with then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar prior to making Goa a permanent venue for the festival.
“When we first said that everything should be in one place in Goa, everybody said that nobody will come, the Goa population is low there's not enough people. Now look at it. We said that everywhere from all over India there are students coming, young filmmakers coming, there are tourists coming because this is the festival season, they are all coming,” Kapur said.
The International Jury Members (IFFI) shared their profound experiences and insights on watching the films nominated for the Golden Peacock Award at the 54th International Film Festival of India being held in Goa. Eminent filmmakers from across the globe, the jury members deliberated on the 'International Competition' and the awards to be announced and presented in this section at the closing ceremony of the festival tomorrow.
