IFFI will be turned into Asia's Cannes: Vijay Sardesai

Goa Minister for Town and Country Planning (TCP) Vijai Sardesai has said that there can be no better place to host International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and the IFFI will be turned into Asia's Cannes.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of IFFI at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium at Taleigao, near the city, on Wednesday, he said there could not be better place to host IFFI which had enriched the Goan film making talent.

''We will turn International Film Festival of India (IFFI) into Asia's Cannes. Goa is always in every filmmaker's mind. We celebrate art, culture and food. Millions of tourists come to this sunny state,'' he said and thanked the entire film fraternity for participating in the film festival.

Mr Sardesai, who is also president of Goa Forward Party, an ally in the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in the state, said what Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had started with 35th edition of the IFFI in 2004 would be taken forward.

Mr Sardesai also Paid homage to Italian director, Bernardo Bertolucci, who passed away recently.

The 49th edition of IFFI concluded at a glittering function at Dr Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Stadium on Wednesday.