Goa IFFI observes World AIDS Day

A special screening of My Brother Nikhil was screened as part of the mobile cinema for local population.

India's AIDS awareness campaign received a boost on 'World AIDS Day' when the Goa International Film Festival of India (IFFI) delegates today took a pledge not to turn their back on victims of the dreaded disease.

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Delegates from home and abroad entered movie halls this morning wearing badges with 'I Made a Promise Because I Care' written on them. Pamphlets were distributed by volunteers at both the official venues of the IFFI.

A special screening of the Indian film My BrotherNikhil, which deals with AIDS with Goa as the backdrop, was screened as part of the Mobile Cinema for local population.

"We have to spread awareness about AIDS because it's a dangerous disease, especially in the North East from where I come and where it is spreading at an alarming pace," said Nayan Prasad, actor-director from Assam.

Local NGO 'Freedom Foundation' set up information booths at the Inox multiplex distributing leaflets on various aspects of the disease and the need to counter it.

"This is an appropriate place to make people aware and get them involved in fighting AIDS," said Josephine D'Souza from the Foundation.

Last year too, the World AIDS Day was observed at the Goa IFFI where Tamil actress-director Revathy's Hindi film about AIDS, Phir Milenge starring Salman Khan and Shilpa Shetty was specially screened.

South African film Yesterday, which is also about a poor rural woman suffering from the disease, was also screened on the same day in the Cinema of the World section.