Goa got meagre aid from Centre to host Iffi: CM

Porvorim: Over the last four years, Goa govt received only a fraction of the cost it has borne to organise the International Film Festival of India (Iffi), for which the state is a permanent venue.

In 2021, Goa govt sent Rs 15.4 crore to host the festival, but received only Rs 2.4 lakh from the Centre as assistance, chief minister Pramod Sawant said in a reply tabled in the assembly to a question by Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai.

This year, Goa govt raised Rs 1.8 crore through sponsorships, far lower than the amount shelled out for the organisation.

In 2022, it cost Rs 23 crore to host the festival. The state received only Rs 2.4 crore from Centre. This is the highest the state received over the years. Only Rs 20 lakh could be raised during the year through sponsorships to meet the cost.

The number of invitees have increased over the years, leading to increased costs. From 67 international invitees, the number had gone up to 282 by 2025. The national invitees’ list also went up similarly from 1,079 in 2021 to 2,248 in 2025.