Bollywood star Vidya Balan, who has been named the Ambassador of Indian Film Festival here, is all set to visit the city to promote the forthcoming annual Bollywood festival to be held in June here. Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu today said that Balan will be in Melbourne on next Friday and Saturday to promote the festival.

Baillieu said the Victorian Coalition Government was committed to strengthening ties between the Victorian and Indian film industries, and was pleased to be delivering the Indian Film Festival election pledge. "The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne will showcase the extraordinary depth and diversity of the Indian film industry, and create a greater understanding and shared experiences between Victoria and India.

 "The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne will offer diverse screenings in a variety of Indian languages, host prominent Indian filmmakers and screen professionals, and provide an interactive program of master classes," Baillieu said. Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher said securing Balan as the ambassador for the inaugural festival further enhanced Victoria's reputation as an international film hub.

"The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne joins our already rich roster of screen events and activities including the Melbourne International Film Festival, St Kilda Film Festival and the recently-secured Screen Producers Association of Australia annual conference," Asher said. The festival which runs from June 11 to 22 is being organised by Mind Blowing Films company.