Margao: Madganvcho Awaaz and youth leader Prabhav Naik has raised serious and pointed questions regarding the organisation, credibility and utilisation of public funds for the Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival (BCIFF), including its previous editions and the proposed BCIFF 2026 scheduled in January.
Stressing that public money cannot be disbursed on unverifiable claims, Naik has demanded that the Department of Information and Publicity (DIP) must mandatorily obtain photographic and videographic evidence from the agency hosting BCIFF 2026 to substantiate the claimed scope of work, events conducted, footfalls and outreach. He has categorically stated that no payment should be released unless full compliance is ensured and all claims are backed by verifiable visual documentation.
“RTI disclosures reveal 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. In 2025, although bids were invited, only two agencies applied and a technically experienced agency was disqualified, raising serious doubts about transparency and fairness. Incidentally, Antarang Productions was again awarded the contract,” stated Prabhav Naik.
Naik has flagged a clear conflict of interest, pointing out that office bearers of Antarang Productions were appointed as Directors of BCIFF 2025. Their alleged proximity to a sitting Margao MLA and PWD Minister, including handling his political social media, has further deepened concerns regarding influence, favouritism and lack of institutional neutrality.
He has also questioned the expenditure for BCIFF 2025, which touched nearly 2.94 crore, stating that the public has not been provided with any detailed, verifiable breakdown to justify such spending. Claims made by the Department of Information and Publicity regarding participation and footfalls at BCIFF programmes have also been termed misleading and unverifiable, Naik said.
Further, Prabhav Naik has sought clarity on basis the festival is being projected as an “International” Film Festival, including whether it possesses any recognised international accreditation.
He reiterated that accountability, transparency and documentary proof must be non-negotiable prerequisites for spending public funds and that the government must answer these questions before proceeding with BCIFF 2026. Madganvcho Awaaz has also expressed apprehension that, based on past experience, the budget for BCIFF 2026 may touch nearly 6 crore, making it all the more essential that strict scrutiny is applied before any approvals or payments are granted.
