South Korea to be focus country at IFFI 2016

South Korea will be the "focus" country at the 47th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) to be held in Goa this November.

"It has been decided that South Korea would be the focus country for IFFI this year," a senior official told PTI adding that movies from the country will be showcased and eminent film personalities from that country may attend the festival.

Last year, Spain was the focus country at the 11-day festival and its films and eminent personalities were part of the film event.

Officials said that the government has been paying special attention to films as a part of its "cultural diplomacy."
 

There have been a series of events in which the government has focused on films to strengthen the country's softpower, an official said.

In July this year, a four-day long film festival of Iranian films was held, which was soon followed by an eight-day long festival of European films.

Important dignitaries from these countries like EU Ambassadors, Deputy Heads of Mission attended these festivals. And soon another important event - the BRICS Film Festival will be held on September 2.

I&B minister M Venkaiah Naidu had yesterday unveiled the official poster for the five-day film festival which will screen films from Brazil, Russia, China and South Africa besides India.

I&B officials said that keeping in line with this policy, India has also decided to work with Bangladesh for the production of documentary on the 1971 War of Independence of Bangladesh.

India will also facilitate the production of a 'mega movie' by Bangladesh to mark the 100th birth anniversary of its Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 2020, they added.