GOA, 22nd NOVEMBER 2018:…. The Other Story opened the Israel-Country Focus … Direct flight from Goa to Tel-Aviv to be introduced …. IFFI Lifetime Achievement Award winner Dan Wolman’s upcoming script is partly based in India … The biggest mafia which is ruining this industry is the multiplex mafia,’ says Rahul Rawail, Chairman of the Indian Panorama, Feature section.

 The 49^th edition of the International Film Festival kicked off on a celebratory note amongst an august gathering of celebrities, film fraternity and cine buffs. Expressing his pleasure about his country, Israel being the focus country this year, His Excellency Consul General of Israel to India Ya’akov Finkelstein said, “Through cinema we want to fortify the relations between India and Israel. I want to encourage the people of India to visit Israel and also make it a filming destination as I encourage the thought of seeing is believing. It is part of the growing partnership between Israel and India that embraces all levels of cooperation from the government to the business sector to people to people relations to the cultural relations between two countries.”

The 10 Israeli films offer a glimpse into the issues plaguing his country, history, landscapes, he said. The section opened with director Avi Nesher’s The Other Story. In Shalom Bollywood: The Untold Story of Indian Cinema, one of the other movies selected, viewers are introduced to the 2000 year-old Indian Jewish community and its place in shaping the Hindi film industry. The movie is directed by Danny Ben Moshe.

He also highlighted the co-production signed between the two countries that will enable cross cultural ties. He elucidated that Dharma Productions had already shot their movie Drive there and more films are in the pipeline.

His Excellency Consul General of Israel to India Ya’akov Finkelstein also spoke of the direct flight from Goa to Tel-Aviv to be introduced.

Speaking to the media, lifetime award recipient at IFFI, Dan Wolman shared his journey with the gathering. Wolman earlier received the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the Jerusalem International Film Festival and won The Ophir Life Time Achievement Award. His noted films include Lemon Popsical, The Distance and Foreign Sister. There is a special presentation of three of his films at the festival- Ben’s Biography, Floch and Hide and Seek.

Wolman described his work as an ‘advocate of the fringes’. His films have dealt with topics like old age homes, prostitutes, homosexuality and other offbeat topics. In his films he’s not trying to follow the trend, but find a way to do things that are courageous, and different and still continue to work.

He’s already scripted a children’s film My Father’s Secret India that will be spread across Israel and India. He’s using the opportunity to look for investors looking to collaborate on the project, he said.

Also present was producer of the opening film The Other Story, David Silber. The story that began four years ago and reflects on Israeli children turning to religious life and the parent’s dilemma how to deal with it. “The film talks about secular parents who feel that they are losing their daughter to religious world and are trying to fight it and eventually learning how to accept the daughter,” he said.

In another press conference with the Jury members of the Indian Panorama feature and non-feature films, Rahul Rawail, Chairman of the Indian Panorama, Feature section praised the great strides taken by regional cinema. He said that in the future Indian cinema will be referred as a collated whole and not regional or Hindi cinema.

Other jury members present were (IP – Feature) Major Ravi; and K. G. Suresh, Director General, Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi.

Highlighting the shift in the non-feature category, veteran director Vinod Ganatra said that short films will ‘definitely take over.’ He noted that 60 percent of the entries were short films.

The jury shared that the task of selection was a tough one. But through endless discussions, debates and analysis they arrived at the best set that would represent the country on an international platform.

The movies experimented with various topics and Major Ravi noted that they had 18 transgender films. This meant that audiences are maturing and accepting new ideas. He elucidated with examples of Bengali film Nagarkirtan. Directed by Kaushik Ganguly, it explores the love story between a flute player Madhu and Parimal, a rural boy who realises he’s a woman trapped in a woman’s body.

Apart from content, Rawail highlighted that there are no outlets for audiences to watch regional cinema. “The biggest mafia which is ruining this industry is the multiplex mafia. They decide what film will run, what will not run, for how many weeks and it’s all based around how much popcorn and samosas they can sell. They are not interested in the film,” Rawail said.

Infrastructure needs to be developed to screen for regional films, he added. “Costs are exorbitant for movies today. People pay for it and then they do not enjoy these kinds of films. The more people watch these films they will want to see them more and more.”

The third press conference introduced the cast and crew of the opening Indian Panorama films in the feature and non-feature categories. Olu, directed by veteran filmmaker Shaji N Karun takes you deep down under the Kerala backwaters where Olu (she),a gypsy girl mysteriously survives beneath the waters where she has been sunk by her rapists. She comes to the surface only on full moon nights and it is on one such night she meets a painter Vasu.

The director Shaji N Karun credited all those involved in the success of the film. He said that the fantasy film has strong influences of Buddhism in terms of use of motifs like lotus and the moon.

In the non-feature category Kharvas, directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale moves the viewer with it is stirring tale of Aasawari, an artist who loses her child as a still born. He mentioned that the goal was to focus on ‘problems that we many times skip.’ “If it is about a woman we pretend that we don’t know about it or there is problem at all. It is a story of a mother who is trying to find peace in a turmoil situation where she has to fighting within herself as a mother and the perceptions of society.”

The film was shot in Goa for five days and the incredible aspect as a new filmmaker was trying to configure the climax. Shooting in a cow shed over long hours was a challenge. His theatre background came to his rescue in capturing his final shot.

The festival is all set to continue spreading the joy of cinema over the coming days.

Panaji, November 22, 2018 … The Department of Information and Publicity observed Linguistic Harmony Day as part of the week long activities to observe the ‘Quami Ekta Week’ (National Integration Week) which is being observed all over India  from November 19-25. The Department held a poetry recital on theme of National Integration.

At the onset, Information Officer, Shri Prakash Naik administered the National Integration Pledge to the staff members. Shri Naik said that such events in the Department help bring forth the hidden talents of the staff and gives them a platform to perform.

 Information Officer, Shri John Aguiar briefed the staff about the significance of the observance and stressed on the importance of national unity. He later recited two poems on the theme from his Konkani poetry book ‘Pavlam’.  

The other staff who recited poems were Janhhavi Savaikar, Shri. Shyam Gaonkar, Govind Gaonkar, Shri. Nikhil Prajakte, and  Shri. Dhananjay Kerkar, among others. 

Shri. Manohar Degvekar gave a short talk on the importance of Yoga in one’s everyday life.

Panaji: November 22, 2018 … The Goa College of Home Science, Panaji (GCHS) in association with Karo Sambhav and the Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera is organizing an E-waste Collection Drive on November 23, 2018 from 9 am to 5 pm and on November 24 and 25, 2018  from 9 am to 1 pm.

Donors can dispose of their E-waste ranging from computer equipment, mobiles, printers, TV’s, music systems, fridges, AC’s, microwaves, geysers or any other electronic items, and all kinds of batteries at the GCHS’s premises (opposite Campal Fire Brigade) or request for a pick-up in case of larger quantities. Tube lights, bulbs, toners and cartridges will not be accepted.

The proceeds of this drive will be used for the Nature Club activities of the College and other Environmental related issues. For more information contact  Larissa (9763551279) or Sushant (8806668630).

Panaji: November 21, 2018 … The Directorate of Social Welfare, Panaji has invited applications in the prescribed application form from Employers, NGOs and Persons with Disabilities for the following categories State Awards. Best Employes (One), Best NGO (One) and Best Employees with Disabilities (three).

One award in each of the category of Disabilities such as Visual Disabled, Speech and Hearing Impaired, Physical Disabled will be given for the best employee with Disabilities.

Each award consists of cash amount of Rs.25,000, Citation Certificate Shrifal (Coconut) and Shawl.

Prescribed application forms are available at the counter of Directorate of Social Welfare, Panaji and District Welfare office, Directorate of Social Welfare, M.S.A. Complex, Margao Salcete, free of cost. Application in prescribed format dully filled in all respect and accompanied with Xerox copies of the documents attested by Gazetted Officer should reach Directorate of Social Welfare on or before December 5, 2018.

State awards will be presented on December 19, 2018 by the hands of Chief Minister on the occasion of Goa Liberation Day.

Panaji ::: November 21, 2018 … In an endeavor to further reach out to the filming fraternity across the globe, the Minister of State (I/C) for Information and Broadcasting, Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore launched the The Film Facilitation Office (FFO) web portal at the inaugural ceremony of the 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium in Taleigao. The Film Facilitation Office (FFO) set up by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting under the operational aegis of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), has been working towards easing filming in India and promoting the country as a preferred shooting destination.
The FFO portal has been designed and developed with a view to be a single point for all filming related information in the country, leading to greater ease of navigation, and thereby easing filming in the country.

Panaji: November 21, 2018 … Shri Sudhir Mahajan, Secretary Urban Development Govt. of Goa inaugurated one day International Conference on Environment Friendly Handling and Recovery of Construction and Demolition Waste in Goa organized by Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) in collaboration with SINTFF, CPUD and FS Academy of Applied Development (IAAD) at a function in Taj Vivanta Panaji yesterday.

On the occasion MoU between GWMC and SINTEF, Norway was also signed.

Ms. Ann Ollestad, Consul General, Mumbai, Shri K M Soni, Additional Director General, Central Public Works Department, Dr. Christian J. Engelsen, Scientist, SINTEF, Norway, Dr. Gaurav Bhatiani, IL and FS Academy of Applied Development, Shri Sanjit Rodrigues, Managing Director, Goa Waste Management Corporation, Smt. Sharmila Montera, Member Secretary Pollution Control Board Govt. of Goa were present on the occasion.

Shri  Mahajan, while addressing the gathering lauded the initiative taken by Goa Waste Management Corporation and central. Handling Construction and Demolition (CND) waste has always remained a challenge since it contains various wastes he said. He further put forth his suggestions towards the segregation of wastes. He said the signing of this MoU will definitely help bring some technical solution how waste can be managed.

Ms. Ann Ollestad, while speaking on the occasion said that signing a deal and moving forward is very important, She said that if we bring modern technology to recycling then India has bright future. She further hoped that others will use this MoU as example to follow and said that awareness about this among the people in Goa is extremely important to make this a success.

Shri K M Soni, speaking on the occasion briefed about the establishment of Central Public Works Department (CPWD).CND waste is not  waste  it is a kind of resource and to convert waste into resource everyone needs to get involved in it he added. He further said that this initiative is also a part of Swatch Bharat.

Shri Sanjit Rodrigues, Managing Director, Goa Waste Management Corporation,welcomed the gathering, Dr. Gaurav Bhatiani, IL and FS Academy of Applied Development proposed the vote of thanks and Shri Richord Dias compered the function.

Panaji: November 20, 2018 … The 49th edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2018) was inaugurated by Goa Governor Dr. Mridula Sinha and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (Retd.) AVSM at the Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee stadium in Taleigao, Plateau, today, in the distinguished presence of PWD Minister, Shri Ramkrishna Sudin Dhavalikar and others.

Superstar Akshay Kumar and well known bollywood director Shri Karan Johar graced the function.

While speaking on the occasion, Shri Dhavalikar said Goa is perfect destination to host IFFI. IFFI provides a common platform for cinematographers of world he said. Shri. Dhavalikar thanked the Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Manohar Parrikar, who he said is the man behind this landmark event, and who has brought about several important film related infrastructural changes and State of Art theatres in Goa, all of these projects which were realized under Shri Parrikar’s leadership.

Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Shri. Vinay Tendulkar, Chief Secretary, Shri Dharmendra Sharma IAS, Speaker of Goa Legislative Assembly, Dr Pramod Sawant, Minister for Tourism, Shri Manohar Ajgaonkar, Vice-Chairperson of Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), Shri Rajendra Talak were among those were present at the event.

Earlier, Secretary, Information and Broadcasting, Shri Amit Khare, IAS, welcomed the gathering. In his address, Shri Khare said that this industry apart from being a social messenger and a medium of entertainment is providing revenue and growth and employment.

Israeli film maker Shri Dan Wolman received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The jury for the International Competition comprising of John Irvin, Adrian Sitaru, Polish Director Robert Glinski, Anna Ferraioli Ravel and Indian member Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra were felicitated on the occasion.

Israel is the Country of Focus for this year’s IFFI while the State in Focus is Jharkhand. The opening was followed by the premiere of the movie ‘The Aspern Papers’ directed by Julien Landais.  The director and cast of the film were felicitated at the inaugural.

Performances by Sonu Sood, Shilpa Rao, among others were the highlights of the IFFI opening ceremony.  Singing sensation Arijit Singh also wooed the audiences in Goa with his soulful voice.

Actress Mandira Bedi and Amit Sadh compered the function.

As part of IFFI, a special package for visually impaired children, special screening with audio description will be organized for the children. The festival will showcase the movies ‘Sholay’ and ‘Hichki’ under this section. This year, there will be a special presentation of Tunisian films.

Panaji :: 20th November ::: YUVA is organizing its 2^nd All Goa Drawing Competition on 2^nd December, 2018 from 9am to 12 noon, on the occasion of Children’s Day in Shree Mahalaxmi Temple, Panaji to imbibe environmental values through artistic activities.

The competition is free and pre-registration is must. Reporting time is 9am-9:30am. Drawing sheet will be provided. Painting material has to be brought by participants. The groups for the competition are as follows:

For registration, contact Akhil 9545622528 / Raghuvir  9420595013.