Digital Goa, November 20 – The 56th International Film Festival of India begins today in Panaji with a star-studded opening parade featuring N Balakrishna, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Jackie Shroff and Muzaffar Ali. The event will start with “Bharat Ek Soor”, a folk symphony of 100 artists from 16 states. Goa Governor Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, MoS I&B and Parliamentary Affairs Dr L. Murugan, and Union MoS for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Naik will inaugurate the event. The parade will include 23 tableaus, among them 11 Goan floats showcasing Carnival and Shigmo, cultural displays from Andhra Pradesh and Haryana, and an NFDC “50 Years” tribute. This year’s festival will screen over 240 films from 81 countries, including 13 world premieres.
