from Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Nov 24: The branding of India's most prestigious film festival is now a major issue of contention between the two bodies organizing it – with both the state government and Centre struggling to claim IFFI as their own baby.

A day after state chief minister Digambar Kamat said he would like to brand IFFI as the Goa international Film Festival, the Directorate of Film Festival (DFF) has said that they would like to retain the International Film Festival of India's (IFFI) identity irrespective of state trying to brand it as Goa festival.

"If the state decides to have Goa film festival or some other international film festival than venue will be shifted to Delhi or some other city," Director of Film Festival S M Khan said.

He said that irrespective of anything the IFFI will retain its identity and it would be just the question of venue. "IFFI will remain as IFFI," the DFF added.

Khan's reaction comes a day after state chief minister Digamber Kamat said that the festival would be branded after Goa like Cannes festival is known after the place where it is held.

The DFF said that the IFFI is accredited to International Federation of Film Producers Association and is responsible for the entire film festival.

Months before the IFFI 2008, the DFF and state government had entered into the tug-of-war over the memorandum of understanding. The state had sought additional responsibilities for the festival, this time, which were granted after state chief minister held meeting with Information and Broadcasting ministry in Delhi.Goa has been hosting IFFI since 2004 when it was shifted here for the first time.

Khan said that Goa has been given added responsibilities for the current film festival as per the memorandum of understanding signed with Goa government and the Centre. "It's the conscious decision taken by government of India," he added.

Entertainment society of Goa (ESG) is programming country focus' Iran section, Indian Premier and retrospective.

State government's quest to take over the entire festival was visible for the first day onwards when Kamat commented that the festival would be branded after Goa.

"If you ask my personal view than if overall programming remains with DFF than it is better," Khan said reacting to a question.