YANGON (Xinhua): An annual Indian film festival for 2009 will be held in Myanmar's former capital of Yangon and the second largest city of Mandalay in the first two months of next year, the local Biweekly Eleven News journal reported Thursday.

The Indian film festival to take place in Yangons' Naypyitaw Cinema will last for nine days from Jan. 24 to Feb. 1, while that in Mandalay's Myoma Cinema will run for 8 days from Feb. 14 to 21, the report said, quoting the Indian Embassy sources.

The eight Indian films to be screened are "Dhadkan", "Hum Saath Saath Hain", "Khakee", "Nehru", "Parineeta", "Phir Milenge", " Pinjar" and "Raincoat".

This year's Indian film festival was also held in the two Myanmar cities in February and March.

Meanwhile, an Indian puppet show was launched at the National Theater here last week under the program of cultural exchange between Myanmar and India.

The show was performed by puppet group led by Suresh Dutta, a popular Indian puppet artiste, who received Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution towards the enrichment of Indian Pupptery.

Suresh Dutta has organized an international puppet festival of India and has represented India at various international festivals abroad, including Japan, Poland, Yugoslavia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Canada and the U.S.