from Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji (GA)

Panaji, Nov 26: The International film festival of India (IFFI) 2008's festival director S M Khan on Wednesday November 26 reiterated that the festival would not be entirely handed over to Goa government.

"As far as DFF is concerned, IFFI is a property of DFF and this cannot be handed over to the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), Goa government or anyone else," Khan told reporters during a press conference on Wednesday evening.

He said that the Information and Broadcasting Ministry will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Goa government annually before the festival.

The DFF had earlier clarified the position on IFFI when Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat had publicly announced that the state wants to brand the festival as 'Goa festival.'

The discussions were also on to take over the festival from DFF after some years.

On asked whether Goa if IFFI's permanent venue, Khan reacted,'I am not aware. As far as I am concerned memorandum of understanding is signed every year.'

He also refused to comment whether festival would be shifted from Goa.

The DFF earlier during the festival had said that they will not mind shifting the festival to Delhi or some other city, if Goa wants to have its own festival.