Here’s the latest in the ongoing National Film Awards controversy. In an informal chat, Union I&B Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi said the court battle involving the awards may delay the official announcement of this year’s winners and “the winners for both 2006 and 2007 might be announced next year”.

• From Pedro, with love

His latest offering Volver wooed Toronto and Cannes, and now has conquered India. The opening film was showcased again on Friday night and met with a thunderous response. Add to it, Pedro addressed a letter to his fans in India, read by his production associate Kazi. Pedro said, “I really wanted to watch the film here with all of you in India. Rest assured, it is my loss much less yours.”

• Selling India

The Film Bazaar was inaugurated by Goa CM Pratapsingh Rane in the company of film personalities Manmohan Shetty and Bobby Bedi. This year’s focus is to promote India as a good location prospect for international films. 2006 is about Rajasthan, Darjeeling and Delhi.

• Number crunching

All laws of mathematics can’t solve this big IFFI muddle. Last checked, 6,000 delegate passes were issued, a number far higher than the seating capacity. Consider this, the multiplex Inox has a seating capacity of 1,272, for four screens whereas Kala Academy has a capacity of 900. No wonder then delegates are the most displeased lot at the film festival. When will the IFFI officials learn?

• Fish on the yacht

... contd.