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Ministry cancels film festival

Our Bureau

NEW DELHI, Sept. 26

THE Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has decided to cancel the International Film festival of India (IFFI) to be held in Bangalore from October 10-20 due to drought in the State.

The decision was taken at a meeting between I&B Minister, Ms Sushma Swaraj, and senior officials. The option of postponing the Festival has been ruled out as international film festivals have to conform to an international calendar approved by the FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers' Association).

An official statement said, ``the Ministry is also concerned about the hardships being faced due to the drought conditions and cannot be insensitive to the unambiguous recommendation of the State Government to cancel the Festival.''

The Directorate of Film Festivals officials also said that there was an increasing uncertainty over the extent of international participation due to the emerging situation.

The I&B Minister has, however, directed that the Ministry to explore the possibility of screening of the Indian Panorama films and foreign films already received at a more opportune time at other venues.