Make Goa your destination, Sawant exhorts film makers

THE GOAN NETWORK | JANUARY 17, 2021, 12:25 AM IST
Make Goa your destination, Sawant exhorts film makers

A cultural troupe performs at the inaugural ceremony of the 51st International Festival of India at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao on Saturday. Narayan Pissurlenkar

PANAJI

The glitz and glamour of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was replaced by masks, sanitisers and limited attendance as the festival got off to a glittering start at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Taleigao on Saturday.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the 51st IFFI in the presence of Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar and Kannada Film Maker Sudeep, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant invited Indian and global film makers to look at Goa as a preferred destination.

He assured them of providing support, hassle free procedures and assistance. “We welcome all stakeholders in film industry with open arms to come and invest in Goa,” he said adding that ‘single window clearance’ has already been approved for film shootings through the Entertainment Society of Goa. 

The opening ceremony was hosted by actor, author and film-producer Tisca Chopra in the presence of eminent film-maker Priyadarshan Nair and noted actor Sudeep. 

Speaking on the occasion, Sudeep, also known as Kichha Sudeep said, “Let cinema be the new pandemic. Cinema is one fraternity that, from one seat, takes you all around the world, gets you the knowledge, gets you closer to the culture of every fraternity across the world.”

The High Commissioner of Bangladesh to India, Mohammad Imran was also present on the occasion. Bangladesh is the focus country of the festival this year. 

On the occasion, a Lifetime Achievement award was given to Italian cinematographer Vittorio Storaro. 

Nearly 2,200 delegates have registered for the festival which is to be held in the hybrid mode this year. 200 movies from across the globe will be screened during the festival.   


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