How did IFFI go?

Goa, as a host to the 35th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), received mixed responses.

Just read the writing on the wall for a verdict on how Goa fared as host to the 35th International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

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"Well done Parrikar my friend," said one message scribbled hurriedly by a
Satish on one of the many graffiti walls set up at the venue of the film
festival that concluded on Thursday.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar got kudos from others too. "Hon CM sir, keep
it up. IFFI is a festival which has brightened Goa," said a message.

Wrote another cineaste: "Beautiful festival. We should only do it here (in
Goa) and only here."

There were others which continued on a similar note: "Congratulations Goa
Film Festival"; "Remarkable"; "Good entertainment free of cost, thanks Goa".

But there were many others unhappy with the way the festival, which comes
back here next year, was conducted.

"Goa is the worst choice for IFFI as a permanent venue," said a film critic from Delhi".

Someone else wrote more cryptically: "Cineastes, cinephiles, cine buffs of
the world unite. You have nothing to lose but your jobs."

One word of caution that went out read: "Good effort, hard work, well
attended. But the selection of films deserves more betterment (sic)."

Though this was clearly a prestige event for the state government, which
went all out to make it a success, the festival also led to a lot of
resentment amongst locals who said what they really needed was electricity
and water, not a film festival.

Making the coastal state a permanent venue has been an emotive issue. It was
mooted by the previous National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, which
envisaged IFFI as another Cannes.