Even before the the actual megashow of the 36th IFFI began today, all the media persons, particularly the electronic media and the photographers, boycotted the press conference in the middle in protest against authorities deciding not to allow carrying of still camaras and mobile phones into Inox multiplex theatre complex to watch the films.
The journalists, who thronged Goa to cover the mega event from different parts of the country, were peeved at the way they were being treated by the organisers, particularly the event manager Wizcraft International and the directorate of Film Festivals (DFF).
The DFF director Afzal Amanullah's arguement that the media persons should obey the thumb rule to avoid piracy piqued the journalists with the authorities failing to provide journalists with a place to deposite their camaras before entering the multiplex to watch the films for review.
"You should have your own arrangement. Keep it in your cars and come back here. We can arrange a room but you have to have your security arrangements,'' he said.
The elecrronic media had already been piqved at the organisers not allowing direct entry into the main venue of the evening's inaugural function with the rights of telecast given to others. The feed for a few minutes would be given to the electronic channels from a point arranged in the vicinity of the main venue at the old GMC complex.
Most of the journalists had not secured even their entry passes, even compounding the confusion.
Personnel from the electronic media openly expressed their strong protest for officials for lacking faith in the media.
At the end, the camarapersons including the photographers moffed Mr Amanullah who was with the Deputy Inspector General of police (Crime) Ujwal Mishra and Wizcraft International chief and entered into heated arguements in protest against the stubborn attitude of the organiers.
