By Pamela D'Mello / The Asian Age Panaji, Jun 29: International Film Festival of India preparations have kicked off to an early start this year, with organisers shortlisting three event management agencies to handle the ten day extravaganza.
Wizcraft, Brilliant and Times 360 degrees, were picked for their creative concepts, among five bids called in. "By mid-July we will decide on the final agency based on their financial bids", said ESG CEO Nandini Pariwal. ESG hopes to eventually convert IFFI into a revenue earner for the state. An early start this year is expected to net additional sponsorships for the premier festival that runs November 23-December 4. Sponsorships increased from Rs 3.5 million in 2004, to Rs 17 million in 2005, though disputes broke out between ESG and event managers Wizcraft. The hype surrounding the festival's shift to this fashionable west coast resort destination has paid off, organisers suggest. Interest from embassies abroad has increased. The French embassy is increasing its presence at the festival this year, from an initial splash it made in 2005. Similar interest is coming in from Italy, Brazil and Portugal according to sources in the know. Following an official study tour to the 2006 Cannes film festival, industry organisers have decided to focus on promoting co-productions, besides marketing India as a shooting and editing location. "We'll be specially promoting Goa as a production base" Ms Pariwal told this newspaper, adding that the state intended to synergise its tourism assets and infrastructure with the festival and its forward linkages.(ends) _______________________________________________ Goanet mailing list Goanet@lists.goanet.org http://lists.goanet.org/listinfo.cgi/goanet-goanet.org
