The Mahadayi river water sharing row between Karnataka and Goa has cast a shadow on the 46th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), scheduled to be held in Goa from November 20 to 30.
Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has appealed to the film fraternity to stay away from the event to express “solidarity with the ongoing movement for implementation of the project”, according to KFCC President Thomas D’Souza.
The Executive Committee of KFCC has decided to request filmmakers, who have sent submissions to the Indian Panorama section, to back out. “Even if their films are selected for screening, we have requested them not to participate,” said Mr. D’ Souza. Besides affecting the grand plans of Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy (KCA) to showcase the Kannada film industry in the Film Bazar, the decision is likely to affect independent filmmakers, who are the real beneficiaries of the festival.
IFFI and other film festivals are the only platform to screen their films and make their present felt.
According to film industry sources, over 20 independent filmmakers, including P. Sheshadri (Vidaya), Baraguru Ramachandrappa (Maranadandane), B. Suresh (Devara Naadalli), P. Dayal Padmanabhan (Haggada Kone and Toss) have sent their films for the Indian Panorama section.
Some filmmakers are of the opinion that boycott will not affect mainstream filmmakers in any way, as they have no stake in IFFI.
KCA, which deposited Rs. 5 lakh for setting up a Kannada film stall in IFFI, is upset with the decision. “We will appeal to the KFCC to reconsider its decision to boycott the event,” said KCA chairperson S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu.
