Goa’s vibrant lap is a popular tourist destination, which is both domestically and also internationally recognized. The sandy beaches, the bamboo shacks to unwind & the cool breeze experienced while sipping coconut water transports one’s soul into a fun-filled laid-back bubble.
But besides its popularity of being a party and picnic zone, Goa is also becoming a hub of nurturing cultural activities, thus branding India to be a travel destination to visit often.
In recent years, the Konkani-speaking state has been hosting many festivals related to music, drama, art & cinema that are held around the year.
One such festival which I have been consecutively attending for the past 11 years is the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). The latest 53rd edition of the festival seemed like a blooming tree, under which many artists, production companies, technicians, Media students & cinema buffs were seen connecting & bonding as one community.
Here’s a link to the official trailer of IFFI: https://youtube.com/watch?v=rtuU97kYjDk&feature=shares. During the 8-day festival, the capital city of Panjim glitters with festive lights and posters that welcome tourists and film festival enthusiasts. The level of world cinema screened at this festival is of high class.
It’s a treat for intellectual and creative minds, who like cinema as a medium to stimulate their thinking. This year the kind of movies I got to see were really ‘out of the box’ and kind of bizarre, particularly a Finnish movie named ‘Hatching’ & a French movie named ‘De Humani Corporis Fabrica’.
A movie from Kazakhstan called ‘Baqyt’ (which means Happiness) was highly acknowledged by the audience, as it depicted the heart-wrenching situation of most Kazakhstani women who have undergone physical abuse at the hands of their own husbands. Here’s a link to the film’s trailer: https://youtube.com/watch?v=jxTs5j76P8A&feature=shares
Goa’s vibrant lap
On the way to Candolim beach explore the Mandovi river & Betim area.
Regarding planning the logistics of attending the film festival, over the years I have realized that it’s important to proactively plan if one wants to spend quality time at the film festival.
Firstly, it’s important to register for the festival very early, around September/October, because, due to limited seats, as the event nears around November, the registration process shuts down. Secondly, book a hotel room at least a month prior, because during the festival days the hotel prices, especially at locations near the festival venue, soar exponentially!
Thirdly, to either enjoy the film festival solo or strictly have like-minded film buffs to enjoy together. Finally, to book one’s cinema ticket day’s quota on the IFFI app, a night prior.
View from the relaxing shack at Candolim beach.
My experience at the 53rd IFFI event was pleasant as usual. I had booked my stay in Panjim at a hotel named ‘Palacio De Goa’, almost a month prior, through a hotel booking website named www.agoda.com, which was offering me the room at a discounted price.
My stay in Goa was for 3 days but I booked the room for just 2 full days, as on the 3rd day I was returning to Mumbai on a late-night flight. There was no point in booking a hotel room just to keep my baggage, while I would be at the film festival venue the whole day.
Rather I decided to avail myself of keeping my bag in the hotel’s baggage room after checking out on the 3rd day morn, till I had to leave for the airport at night. When in Goa’s vibrant lap for the film festival I hire a two-wheeler and between movie times, zoom on the streets of Panjim and nearby towns/villages.
It’s a delight to ride a two-wheeler at night, from Deltin Casino drop point to Miramar beach, especially with the town glittering with lights and glamor that the film festival brings along with it.
Also, as an annual ritual I explore at least one location in Goa which I have not explored yet. This time I hopped on the ferry service from Panjim to Betim jetty that cuts the Mandovi river.
I was surprised to know that it’s a free service offered by the Govt of Goa! It accommodates two-wheelers along with passengers. Within 15 mins one reaches Panjim to Betim.
From there I further explored the road and reached Candolim beach. It is a well-maintained beach, with good two-wheeler and car parking facilities around.
Since I had visited the beach on Wednesday at the pre-lunch time, there was less crowding and therefore I could qualitatively explore the beach.
From Panjim via Betim ferry, Candolim beach is less than half an hour away. I could smoothly catch up with my movie viewing at Panjim after lunch at Candolim.
As I boarded the plane for my hometown, with closed eyes in mid-air, I had a nice flashback of my Goa travel experience. I believe that ‘travel is not just exploring a tourist destination, but also exploring oneself in the process’! Every Goa trip helps me ‘find myself’ along with exploring the physical world around me.
Undoubtedly my Goa trip has rejuvenated me and has given me cherished memories to keep me upbeat as I continue with the highs and lows of Mumbai urban life!
Susegado (means ‘laid back’ in Portuguese): my usual Film festival mood at Goa.
Photo Courtesy: Shraddha. C. Sankulkar
