NEW DELHI, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- India's largest film event - the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began Saturday in the western state of Goa, officials said.
The nine day-long festival (from January 16-24) aims at providing a platform to filmmakers from across the globe to showcase their work while promoting art and cultural exchanges.
India's federal minister for information and broadcasting Prakash Javadekar was the Chief guest at the event.
The minister said the festival will premiere a wide variety of films and the audience will have an enthralling experience.
IFFI, which takes place in the beach state from November 20-28 every year, was postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
"Taking into account the ongoing Pandemic, IFFI is holding its first ever 'hybrid' film festival. This year IFFI will organize a few of its events on the over-the-top (OTT) platform for its audience," the ministry of information and broadcasting said.
Delegates will have an option to participate in physical as well as virtual mode.
According to officials, during the festival 126 films from 60 countries and regions will be showcased in International sections.
Officials said all films will be showcased in seven theatres in and around Panaji, the capital city of Goa, where COVID-19 protocols will be strictly followed. Enditem