PANAJI: L. Murugan, the Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, said on Monday that plans are being made to organise the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) along the lines of the Cannes Film Festival.

During his visit to the coastal state, Murugan convened a review meeting with representatives from all relevant departments and asked them to cooperate to ensure the success of IFFI.

"From November 20 to November 28, IFFI will be held. We are concentrating on film bazaars and other things at this time. Like the Cannes Film Festival, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the Indian government, and Goa are organising the IFFI this time "He told the local reporters.

"There will be a tonne of activities during these eight days. There will be screenings of new releases, critically acclaimed films, etc. Winners of national awards will take part in IFFI. Plans are being made similar to Cannes (the film festival)," he said. The list of famous people and guests will be formally announced, he said. "We discussed arrangements today. There is a full-scale preparation going on," he added.

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) work must be finished by all concerned departments by November 15 or else, according to a deadline imposed by the Goa government.

The 1952-founded IFFI was held in Goa for the first time in 2004. Since Goa was designated as the festival's permanent location in 2014, the event has found a home in the coastal state.

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