IIFA : State-of -art stage

Events Coordinator and IIFA Logistics Manager Amesh Panawala said 75 percent of the work is complete on the stage settings where the Videocon Indian Film Academy Awards will take place at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on June 5.

He said the state-of-the-arts stage set up will comprise a setting based on a jungle theme and some of the latest technological equipment such as LED screens, lighting and sound mixers imported from India and Germany. “Equipment weighing 68,000 kilos have been airfreighted while 2,000 kilos are expected to arrive from Mumbai.

Thirteen containers will arrive today. All these will be used for the fashion show as well as the IIFA Awards,” he said.

For the first time in the IIFA history, the stage setting will be based on the floor so that nearly 5000 audience seated at the stadium will be able to look down upon the action. The stage will be constructed in three layers. Hand painted regiform props designed by Indian craftsmen will adorn the stage while the green carpet will be rolled out for the stars and the VVIPs. The IIFA green carpet will also be aired live on the BBC for the first time in history.

“Sugathadasa was mainly used as a sports venue though it staged some entertainment shows. We have reduced the air conditioning capacity from 24 degrees to 20 degrees after installing extra chillers. President Mahinda Rajapaksa had monitored the progress carefully. The stadium will be given a brand new look after nearly 20 years,” Panawala noted.