Film Federation of India, Goa government on war path over IFFI

Filmmaker Shakti Samanta was asked whether he’s made any movies, producer Dr D Rama Naidu was asked to prove his credentials while several others guests were reduced to begging for function passes and answering embarassing queries at the registration desks.

The end result is that the Film Federation of India is on the warpath against Goa being made the permanent venue for International Film Festival of India.

The FFI claims a breakdown of coordination with the festival authorities ever since the festival shifted to Goa three years ago.

The latest is that the federation has taken a unanimous decision to oppose the selection of Goa and plans to approach the Information and Broadcasting Ministry for a rethink.

But far from pacifying the agitated filmmakers, the Goa government seems to be taking a confrontationist line on the issue.

“Goa is a preferred destination and I don’t see any reason why there should be a rethinking on the issue,” Goa’s Chief Secretary JP Singh is reported to have said.”I have not received FFI’s resolution but I feel that it’s an unnecessary issue,” he added.

With the newly elected committee of FFI set to take charge soon, there’s bound to be some very filmy drama not in the not too distant future.