Press Release

Chief Secretary Shri S.C. Gupta chaired a coordination meeting regarding the upcoming Global Cinema Festival 2020 Sikkim

Information & Public Relations Department

Date: 11-Feb-2020

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Gangtok,(IPR): Chief Secretary Shri S.C. Gupta chaired a coordination meeting on 10th February 2020 at Tashiling Secretariat with regard to the upcoming Global Cinema Festival 2020 Sikkim scheduled to be held in the capital from 28 Feb to 01 March.

The Chief Secretary was accompanied by the HoDs and officials of the stakeholder departments of Information & Public Relations, Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Commerce & Industries, Home (Protocol), Transport and Cooperation Department, along with President of Film Federation of India, Shri Firdausal Hasan, and representatives of the festival organizing team.

It may be mentioned here, the Global Cinema Festival 2020 Sikkim is an initiative of the Film Federation of India in collaboration with Sikkim Film Co-operative Society Limited and Government of Sikkim to create an atmosphere of international film festivals in the State and to promote Sikkim as film locations and shooting destinations. It is also to be informed that Sikkim is the first NE State to host a film festival of such grandeur.

Addressing the gathering, Chief Secretary Shri S.C. Gupta said that the three-daylong Global Cinema Festival is a step towards creating a skill development eco-system in the field of film making in the State that offers a great opportunity for the people of Gangtok to appreciate cinema with an elevated experience. He directed all the stakeholder departments to coordinate with the organizers for successful conduct of the fest and urged for active participation from all concerned.

Expressing films as a strong medium and influence, the CS put forward his suggestion of collaboration of the Global Film Festival with the other major festivals of Maghey Mela and Winter Carnival and added that the future prospects of the same will be discussed in the days to come.

Special Secretary, Commerce & Industries Department-cum-Managing Director, Temi Tea, Ms. Mrinalini Shrivastava, who is also the Festival Director, gave a detailed presentation on the itinerary of the Global Cinema Festival. She informed that the country in focus for the first Global Cinema Festival in Sikkim is Azerbaijan, one of the first countries to be involved in cinematography. The festival aims at bringing a rich cinematic experience to Gangtok with a range of 40 films including both national and international films, she added.

She stated that the inaugural day of the festival will be held at Manan Kendra in Gangtok on 28 Feb and requested the Culture Department for the arrangement of proper sound system at the location. The delegates visiting the State for the festival will also be visiting Tsomgo Lake for which she asked for assistance of the Tourism Department for pass and permits.

Ms. Shrivastava apprised the gathering about the shooting for a corporate film scheduled to be held from 11-17 Feb in the capital town of Gangtok for which she urged for traffic assistance from SP East.

The CS gave suggestions on various issues related to the event and extended full support of the State government for the success of the Global Cinema Festival.

The FFI President extended gratitude to the State government for its firm support and excellent cooperation for the success of the event and commended its permissive approach towards new ideas for the development of the State and its people.