PANAJI: Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M Venkaiah Naidu today met Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar to review preparations for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to be held in the state next month. Senior officials from the Directorate of Film Festival (DFF) and Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) also participated in the meeting.
"I had a pleasant meeting with Naiduji. Constructive discussions were held on the preparations for upcoming IFFI 2016," Parsekar said after the meeting. "MoU with Goa government to meet the budgetary and other requirements till 2019 was also discussed during the conference," the chief minister said.
A senior official, who was part of the meeting, said discussion was also held to retain the present camp office of DFF in the ESG complex till 2019 or till the completion of new premises to host IFFI. The state government has already announced a separate complex on the outskirts of Panaji for ESG which will have a conventional centre and all the facilities to host IFFI.
The DFF has also requested the ESG to provide at least 1,400 room nights with 30 premium suites everyday during the festival as they (DFF) are focusing on bringing in more filmmakers to the festival. IFFI was shifted to Goa since 2004 with the I&B Ministry announcing the coastal state as permanent venue for the flagship film festival. Prior to 2004, it was held in New Delhi.