From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Nov 19: The organizers of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2011 today said that almost 40 percent of their expenditure component has been borne by various sponsors.

Shankar Mohan, IFFI Director, told a press conference today that the funds worth Rs 4.7 Crore out of total Rs 10 crore festival budget has been sourced from the sponsors, who have given tremendous response for the event.

Union ministry of tourism is a major sponsor for the festival who have contributed Rs 2.7 Crore to push its Incredible India campaign through the ten day long event. Mohan said that the festival will have a special section for the films on tourism.

IFFI 2011 would be held in Goa from November 23 to December 3 in Panaji and Margao cities. The festival will be inaugurated by Hindi filmstar Shahrukh Khan.

Entertainment Society of Goa, a state government run agency hosting IFFI, has roped in sponsors like Qatar Airways and Kingfisher, to gather a sponsorship of Rs 2 crore.

ESG Chief Executive Officer Manoj Srivastava said that the sponsorship has been on the rise for each edition of the festival.

“We are little far away from being self sufficient,” he said responding to a question.

Qatar Airways will be flying international delegates and tickets worth Rs 8 lakhs are sponsored by the airlines, which connects Goa to Middle-East nations.

Cidade de Goa, a five star hotel at Dona-Paula near here has been declared as a festival hotel. All India Radio and Doordarshan are announced as official media partners.

Mohan said that the firms like Real Image Media Technologies Private Limited and Dolby has associated with the festival to help screening the technologically advanced 2D and 3D movies.

“This is a technology driven festival and these companies will provide logistic support to screen the new-generation movies,” Mohan said, adding that the special section for 3D films is also introduced this year.