International Film Festival is going to be organized in Orissa during the current year. This has been decided in a high level preparatory meeting held today under the Chairmanship of Chief Secretary Sri Jugal Kishore Mohapatra wherein Principal Secretary Information & Public Relations Sri Pradeep Kumar Jena outlined the issues for discussion.
Considering various facets of the Festival, Chief Secretary Sri Mohapatra has advised to organize it during the month of November-December of the current year. It has been decided that the Festival will be organized simultaneously in twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The proposal for organizing the festival in auditoriums of RRL, KITT and Xavier were suggested in the meeting.
The Chief Secretary has directed to plan out the details of the festival with timelines. It is learnt that Orissa Film Development Corporation (OSFDC) , Departments of I & PR and Culture will jointly organize the festival.
The Chief Secretary has also directed OFDC to prepare an archive of Oriya films selecting good and qualitative ones from both the traditional and modern realms.
In another development for promotion of tourism and popularization of Orissa art and culture outside the State boarders, Chief Secretary has directed to plan for organization of Orissa Festival in metro cities like Bangalore, Mumbai and Hyderabad. It has been decided that Orissa Festivals in these places will be organized in collaboration with respective Oriya People Associations. A Steering Committee to this effect has been constituted under the Chairmanship of Principal Secretary Sri P.K. Jena with Secretary Culture Dr Arabinda Padhee, Secretary Textiles and Handloom Sri Surendra Kumar and CMD of IDCO Sri Vishal Dev. The steering committee has been advised to prepare the work plan and budget for the Festival. It has been proposed to organize the festival during festive seasons of these places. It has also been decided that the Orissa Festival will showcase good Odia films, Odishi dance, music, tourist treasures, handicrafts and textiles. Chief Secretary Sri Mohapatra has also advised to keep the Ekamra Hat at Bhubaneswar lively in bustle of activities throughout the year. It has been decided that the Cultural Societies of all districts will be given chances to showcase their districts through art and culture performances. The cultural treasures of each district, its folk songs and folk arts will be displayed by the artists of the respective districts. Principal Secretary I & PR Sri Jena and Secretary Culture Dr Padhee and CMD of IDCO Sri Dev , present in the meeting have been advised to plan out the detail and tag the districts in such a manner that the activities go on in each month of the year. It has been proposed to allot at least three days to each district to showcase their art, culture and performances.
The Director I & PR Sri Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra, Dy. Director Sri Pramod Mallik along with senior officers from OFDC and Culture participated in the discussions. (I & PR Pressnote)