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The Fiji Audio Visual Commission (FAVC) has yet to decide on a date for the Fiji International Film Festival (FIFF), initially scheduled for next year.
FAVC chair Sharon Smith-Johns told FijiLive that work is still progressing on the details of this initiative.
“We are still working on it and tying down the final dates on when we’re actually going to launch that,” Smith-Johns said.
The film festival was announced as part of the government’s 2009 Budget, where Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama announced that corporate sponsors who support the funding of the event would receive a 200 per cent tax deduction on their contribution.
Smith-Johns said FAVC had received some expressions of interest regarding sponsorship but so far, nothing has been confirmed.
“We have spoken to some potential investors that are looking at that (sponsorhip) but at the moment, it’s too early to say or confirm who will be taking advantage of the tax rebate,” she said.
Fiji is hoping that by hosting the film festival, Fiji people can experience the presence of the glamour and glitz of Bollywood and Hollywood.
The aim was to raise Fiji’s profile as a country to visit and do business in and it had promised a mix of entertainment, educational programming and seminars, inspiring movies and meaningful community outreach, according to former FAVC chief executive officer Taniela Bolea.
The FAVC also hoped that part of the revenue generated would be used to fund its daily operations and reduce its reliance on government funding.
In its 2009 Budget, the government had allocated $1 million to promote and develop the audiovisual industry in Fiji, which covers films, TV, video, music, ICT and Studio City Zones.
