Govt to explore possibility of Indian film fest in Iran: Min

The government would explore the possibility of showcasing Indian movies through a film festival in Iran, seeking to promote friendship and cultural ties between the two countries, Union minister Rajyavardhan Rathore today said.
The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting said this while addressing a gathering at the Iranian Film Festival here at the Siri Fort Auditorium where Gholam Reza Ansari, Ambassador of Islamic Republic of Iran in India was also present.
Rathore said films and cultural exchanges were the best medium to promote friendship between people and nations.
"To take the process forward, Ministry of I&B would explore the possibility of showcasing a bouquet of Indian films through a festival of Indian films, in Iran," he said.

The minister said the relationship between India and Iran is very old and it received a fresh impetus during the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Tehran, when several new agreements were signed, including strengthening of cultural exchanges between the two countries.
The opening film for the event was 'A Cube of Sugar', directed by Reza Mirkarimi.

The festival is a part of cultural exchange programme between the Directorate of Film Festivals and Iran Cultural House.
This is a special festival, as it is being organised to mark 60 years of India-Iran cultural ties. Other programmes would be organised in the coming months in the field of literature, calligraphy and crafts.

I&B Ministry officials said it is also planning a festival on European films and another one on the Independence Day.