Anifest India postponed due to swine flu scare

The imminent swine flu scare in Pune and Mumbai has taken toll on plans for India's largest animation festival, Anifest India. Scheduled for the Independence Day weekend, the 4-day festival has now been postponed until further notice.

Anifest India had received 1500+ confirmed registrations and a large number of people were to travel from out of Mumbai for this festival.

The organizers, The Animation Society of India (TASI) Managing Committee said in a statement, â€œDue to the increased risk of swine flu, the TASI has taken the difficult but important decision to postpone Anifest India 2009. It is a very disappointing thing for us but we have no choice under the current circumstances.â€

TASI, a non-profit volunteer organization and the organizers of Anifest India, had made elaborate provisions for a power packed event. â€œFor the past four months we have been working overtime to organize this annual festival. The pre-selection jury was working over 17 hours on Sunday to select films for screening and voting at the festival.â€

"Under the present circumstances, as a responsible organization we have taken a decision to avoid gathering such a large crowd in close proximity to each other for four days under one roof. We know that this will mean substantial financial losses to the Society and for everyone who have been a part of it, since a large part of the organizational expenses and time have already been incurred. These are inconsequential compared to public health and safety," the statement further said.