Angry Christians in Old Goa are to stage a protest tomorrow at the opening of an international film festival to try to force the government to reschedule the event in future.

“We intend to disrupt the start of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) because our religious sentiments have been hurt,” said Save Old Goa Action Committee (SOGAC) convener Peter Viegas.

He said Christians are displeased the event coincides with novenas and the feast of Saint Francis Xavier, which falls on December 3.

By holding the film festival at the same time, security for the Christian events will be scaled down, putting the faithful at more risk from criminals, he said.

He says he hopes the demonstration will “open the government’s eyes.”

Talks with the government to change the festival’s dates in the future ended in deadlock yesterday.

“Our action will be limited if the chief minister offers a written undertaking that in future the IFFI will be held at another time,” Viegas said.

He said the government has failed to abide by a promise made in 2006.

In an effort to beef up security, Father Savio Barreto, rector of the Basilica of Bom Jesus, said the Basilica has installed 24 CCTV cameras and is in the process of issuing identity cards for some 1,000 devotees staying for the novenas and feast.

Some 150 volunteers will also act as security guards, he said.

The novenas commence on November 24 with a minimum of eight Masses daily at a specially erected tented enclosure outside the basilica.