PANAJI
The 56th IFFI Gala Premieres Schedule and Red-Carpet Guests List uploaded on the official website shockingly features no Goan film under - World, Asia or India Premiere or even Special Showcase. Yet, there are now reports that the Konkani feature film ‘Claudia’ will have its World Premiere, as per claims made by its producer Rajendra Talak. This contradiction raises a serious question, Has NFDC stopped curation and started manipulation? asks Vishal Pai Cacode, former governing body member of Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG).
The biggest concern is the double standards applied between the Feature and Non-Feature categories. The Goan feature film ‘Claudia’ was rejected from the Indian Panorama selection, and ‘Ancessao’ was similarly rejected in the Non-Feature category. Yet, despite rejection, ‘Claudia’, a film not even released to date, is suddenly invited by NFDC for a ‘Special Presentation’, and now appears to be positioned as a World Premiere, indicating clear favouritism and backdoor influence, alleged Cacode.
On the other hand, ‘Ancessao’, a Konkani film that has already won two international awards and brought global acclaim to Goa finds no place whatsoever in the IFFI schedule. “If international excellence is ignored while lobbying dictates selections, the very purpose of Indian Panorama and Gala Premieres is defeated,” claimed Cacode.
“Our stand is simple and principled; there must be fair play, equal opportunity, and transparent curation. No festival can thrive on selective favouritism and personal patronage. When rules change for a chosen few, it deeply damages the integrity of the entire selection process,” said Cacode.
If such manipulation continues, it will raise even more serious concerns that IFFI is being influenced by individuals close to the government in power, putting the festival’s credibility and integrity under a deep shadow of doubt, claimed Cacode.
