Panaji, 01 November 2023

“Record number of delegate registration is expected for the International Film festival of India (IFFI) this year”, said Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L Murugan has. The minister was talking to the media after meeting Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant at the latter’s residence at Altinho, Panaji, on Thursday, 19.11.2023. The minister further said that he discussed matters regarding the preparations for the 54^th IFFI in Goa with the Chief Minister.

“The popularity of IFFI has grown year by year after Goa was declared the permanent venue for the festival. This year as well, we are expecting more growth in terms of the festival’s popularity. Last year’s delegate registration was a proof of the festival’s popularity. We expect record number of registration this year,” said Shri. Murugan. The Minister stated that the government likes the film industry in the country to own the festival. “We don’t want the festival to be considered as a government-organized event. We like the Indian film industry to own the IFFI as its own,“ he said.

Regarding the meeting with the Chief Minister, Dr Pramod Sawant, Shri Murugan said that he has requested the Chief Minister to consider Hollywood actor and producer Michael Douglas as a State Guest. “This year’s festival attraction will be the presence of Michael Douglas. We are honoring him with Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award at the festival,” he said.

Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant said that the discussion between the two was about various matters regarding IFFI. “We also reviewed the preparations. All the works for the festival will be completed in time,” he said.

Later in the day, Shri. Murugan attended the Coordination Committee meeting of the festival. The minister visited Goa Marriott Resort and the Promenade which are the venues for Film Bazaar. He also visited Kala Academy and Inox Theatre, the prime venues of the festival and Campal ground, which will host the Cine Mela by the National Film Development Corporation of India this year.

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RB/PK | IFFI 54 - 002