MUMBAI: The Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, and the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata are to receive a Rs 300 million aid to convert them into world standard institutes.

This was announced by union minister for I&B, Priyaranjan Dasmunsi during his visit to this city in connection with the seven-day 10th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF-2008) for Documentary, Short and Animation Films.

Dasmunsi also said he would talk to Doordarshan to start a dedicated channel for documentary films and give a one-hour slot on a DD channel on Saturdays for classical artists and singers.