IFFI 2024, 14: The State Minister, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting does a recce of the locations

When he was the Chief Minister of Goa, late Manohar Parrikar, personally supervised the upgrading of the roads and structures of the location, Panaji City. He was known as the most unassuming and hands-on Chief Minister in the country. That was in 2004, which was the year when Goa held its first IFFI. I personally saw him at work, doing all the duties that were demanded of a responsible CM, and much more. A couple of days ago, the Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan, convened a meeting and held what is called a 'recee' (reconnaisance) in film shooting parlance, with key stakeholders, to review the preparations for the 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), and the 24^th in Goa, scheduled to be held in Goa from 20-28 November, 2024.

During the meeting, Dr. Murugan emphasised the need for unified efforts to ensure the festival's seamless execution, stressing that IFFI must reflect Goa's vibrant spirit of celebration and cultural diversity. He urged all the stakeholders to collaborate diligently to elevate the festival to new heights.

The minister further underscored the importance of IFFI as a platform to celebrate the diversity of Indian cinema. "It is essential that the festival represents the vast spectrum of languages, cultures, and traditions that make up Indian cinema. From regional films to national blockbusters, IFFI should be a true reflection of India’s cinematic pluralism," he added.

Dr. Murugan also highlighted the potential of global media to extend the festival’s reach and visibility worldwide. He urged all stakeholders to leverage international media platforms to ensure that IFFI not only attracts attention from across the globe but also fosters meaningful connections between Indian cinema and global audiences.

Later in the day, Dr. Murugan visited the prominent festival venues, including the Goa Marriott Resort and the Promenade, which will host the Film Bazaar. He also toured Kala Academy and Inox Theatre, which will be the prime locations for the IFFI screenings, as well as the DB Ground, which will feature the ‘IFFIesta’, an entertainment arena which is a key attraction of this year’s festival. The minister also visited Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium, which will host the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the festival, and Dhariya Sangam, the venue for ‘Safarnama,’ a multimedia exhibition by the Central Bureau of Communication.