India's largest film event, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), began Monday in the western state of Goa, officials said.
The nine-day festival, running from Nov. 20 to Nov. 28,
India's federal minister for information and broadcasting Anurag Thakur, along with his junior Loganathan Murugan and Chief Minister of Goa Pramod Sawant, started the 54th IFFI festivities by ceremoniously lighting the lamp.
"Indian media and entertainment industry, with an annual growth rate of 20 percent, is hailed as the fifth-largest and most globalized industry in the world," Thakur said.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, 2,926 entries from 105 countries were received this year, which is three times more international submissions than last year.
More than 270 films will be showcased at four venues of the festival, with 13 world premieres, 18 international premieres, 62 Asia premiers and 89 India premieres to be screened during the festival, the ministry said.
Meanwhile, 32 entries have been received in 10 languages from 15 Over the Top (OTT) platforms for the Best Web Series (OTT) Award. Fifteen feature films, including 12 international films and three Indian films, will compete for the coveted Golden Peacock award this year, the ministry said.
According to the ministry, a docu-montage section has also been introduced this year to highlight the importance of documentary filmmaking.
