Team Goemkarponn
Margao: Madganvcho Awaaz and youth leader Prabhav Naik has raised serious questions over the organisation, credibility and utilisation of public funds for the Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival (BCIFF), including its earlier editions and the proposed BCIFF 2026 scheduled in January.
Naik said public money cannot be released on the basis of unverifiable claims and demanded that the Department of Information and Publicity (DIP) must insist on photographic and videographic evidence from the agency hosting BCIFF 2026 to prove the scope of work, events conducted, footfalls and outreach. He said no payment should be made unless all claims are backed by verifiable visual documentation.
Citing information obtained through RTI, Naik alleged that the first edition of BCIFF in 2024 was awarded to Antarang Productions, Margao, for ₹1.50 crore without following codal formalities and without a specific budget head. He further claimed that in 2025, although bids were invited, only two agencies applied and a technically experienced agency was disqualified, raising serious doubts about transparency and fairness, after which Antarang Productions again secured the contract.
Naik also flagged what he described as a conflict of interest, pointing out that office bearers of Antarang Productions were appointed as directors of BCIFF 2025. He alleged that their proximity to a sitting Margao MLA and PWD minister, including handling his political social media, has further deepened concerns about influence, favouritism and lack of institutional neutrality.
Questioning the expenditure, Naik said nearly ₹2.94 crore was spent on BCIFF 2025, but the public has not been provided with any detailed, verifiable break-up to justify the spending. He also alleged that claims made by the Department of Information and Publicity about participation and footfalls at BCIFF programmes are misleading and unverifiable.
Naik further sought clarity on how the festival is being projected as an “International” film festival and whether it holds any recognised international accreditation.
He maintained that accountability, transparency and documentary proof must be non-negotiable when public funds are involved and said the government must answer these questions before moving ahead with BCIFF 2026. Madganvcho Awaaz has also expressed apprehension that the festival’s budget for 2026 could go up to nearly ₹6 crore, making strict scrutiny all the more essential before any approvals or payments are granted.
