Bhubaneswar, May 13: The Odisha government is set to organise a four-day International Film Festival in June to promote cinema and strengthen cultural exchange. The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by Skill Development and Technical Education Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Bhupendra Singh Poonia on Tuesday. The Odisha International Film Festival (OIFF) is likely to be held in the first or second week of June.

As per the proposed plan, 13 feature films will be screened during the festival. Special sessions on short films, animation films and student-made films will also be organised to encourage young and emerging filmmakers. The state government is expected to spend around Rs 90 lakh for the event.

The Biju Patnaik Film and Television Institute of Odisha (BPFTIO) in Cuttack has been proposed as the main venue. The festival will be jointly hosted in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, while the inaugural ceremony is planned at a prominent location in Cuttack.

Apart from feature film screenings at major theatres in both cities, several parallel events including masterclasses, seminars, panel discussions, workshops and short film screenings will be organised at venues such as the Odisha State Maritime Museum auditorium and Ravenshaw University auditorium in Cuttack.

BPFTIO will act as the nodal agency for the festival and coordinate with the Skill Development and Technical Education Department, Odia Language, Literature and Culture Department, Tourism Department, Odisha Film Development Corporation (OFDC) and other committees formed for the smooth conduct of the event.