Reels will roll, but rumble will be low-key this year

PANAJI
With fears of the Covid pandemic still occupying the mind space of the organisers, IFFI this year may not be able to match the scales of the grand event in the pre-Covid era, Vice-chairperson of the Entertainment Society of Goa Subhash Phaldesai said on Tuesday.

Phaldesai also told reporters that the IFFI, like last year, would be held in a hybrid mode this year, adding that care would be taken to ensure that foreign delegates do not carry the infection to Goa during the gala event.

“We are closely monitoring the situation of Covid in the state. It should not appear that we are responsible for spreading the virus. So we are trying to take every precaution and caution. Delegates have to be very safe. Goans have to be very safe. When people come from abroad, they should not carry any of the infections. So we are very cautious about all those factors,” Phaldesai told reporters here.

“So though we want to celebrate it on a bigger scale, looking at Goa@60 and Azadi ka Amrit Mohatsav even then we are taking every care not to spread any of the infections which are existing as of today,” he also said.

“The main decor, street decor, air travel, hotels, manpower requirement, executive appointment, delegate registration, all these are in full swing. Preparation is going on,” Phaldesai said, adding that a tender is in the process of being finalised for the selection of an event management agency for organising the opening and closing ceremonies.

“An event management company will be given the responsibility of the opening and closing ceremonies. A tender is being floated and it is not finalised. But most of the tenders related to our organisation, creating infrastructure are being carried out,” he also said.

When asked about Covid-related precautions which would be in place for the event, Phaldesai said: “All Covid norms, health guidelines and protocols will be maintained. It will not be a full-fledged IFFI as it was happening before in 2019. We can expect a bit more than last year. If possible, we are trying to evaluate. At the last moment, we may come out with street decor or cultural village or art park. We have not taken a decision yet”.

IFFI, the country’s biggest government-organised film event, will be held in Goa from November 20-28.