BALI TO HOST INT'L FILM FESTIVAL IN 2012

Denpasar, Aug 26 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian island resort of Bali is to host an international film festival in 2012 which would be participated in by hundreds of countries, a tourism official said.

"Indonesia has been appointed to host the international film festival and Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Watjik wants the event to be held in Bali," provincial culture and tourism office head I Made Santha said here on Wednesday.

The international festival would be organized in 2012 or three-and-a-half years from now.

Although the event still lay more than three years ahead, preparations for it should be made well in advance ensure its success, he said.

Made Santha said the preparations would deal with various aspects, especially to encourage film production, creative industries among the people and film producers.

He said the preparations would start in 2010 with the making of documentary films by local producers.

"The documentary films made by local producers are expected to be shown at the festival," Made Santha said.

He said , known for its natural beauty and diversity of arts and cultural works found nowhere else in the world, Bali would be the right place to organize the international film festival.

Made Santha said a film titled "Eat, Pray, and Love" with a number of Hollywood artists in the cast would be shot on locations in Jimbaran, Sanur, Candidasa and Ubud.

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