Maharashtra asked to shell out more for MIFF

Panaji: The Goa government has shelled out Rs.10 crore towards logistical expenses for the 42nd International Film Festival of India (IFFI), whereas its Maharashtra counterpart has only contributed Rs.20 lakh to the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) kitty.

Films Division of India (FDI) chief Bankim Friday expressed unhappiness at the spendthrift attitude of the Maharashtra government. "The total budget of the MIFF is Rs 2.5 crore. We have received Rs.20 lakh from the Maharashtra government. It is a meager amount. We wish the Maharashtra government would have given us more funding so that we can take the festival to greater heights," Bankim said, while addressing the media on the sidelines of the 42nd IFFI. Bankim said 587 films, amounting to 328 hours of viewing time, had been submitted for selection in the Indian section at the MIFF. "With the Indian competition section back on popular demand, the enhancement of cash component in the 12th MIFF stands at a whopping Rs 63.50 lakh now," he said. "From a micro animation of 33 seconds to an enormous 200-minute documentary, MIFF has attracted 791 entries from all over the world with 37 countries entering the festival," he said, adding that homage would be paid to film legends like Mani Kaul, M.V. Krishnaswamy, P.B. Pendharkar, Zul Velani and Dilip Roy by showcasing their select films. IANS