Participation to focus on ‘Make in India’ campaign, Potential to become Entertainment Hub, Film Tourism and co-production agreements
In a major initiative to promote the potential of the Make in India campaign in the Media and Entertainment domain, Minister of State (I&B), Col. Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is leading the Indian delegation to the 68th Cannes Film Festival. During the visit, Col. Rathore is expected to have extensive discussions with critical stakeholders of the global film industry to promote the essence of ‘Make in India’ in the context of the Media and Entertainment industry. This will be the key issues in view of the entertainment industry being identified as one of the 25 focus areas picked up by the Government under the ‘Make in India’ campaign. The Minister would also be inaugurating the India Pavilion which will showcase the strengths of India having the potential to become an Entertainment Hub for the global film industry. The Minister will be at Cannes from May 14th – 16th 2015.
The visit of the delegation assumes importance in the light of the Government has been supportive of letting the sector leverage its full potential by taking various initiatives such as digitizing the cable distribution sector, increasing FDI limit in Cable and DTH satellite platforms. In addition, the Digital India Campaign is expected to have a facilitating impact on the media and entertainment industry as well. Co-production agreements signed would be another issue for discussion as the signing of such agreements have provided the platform for Indian films beyond the domestic borders and also given an impetus to the ‘Film influenced Tourism’. The issue also assumes importance in view of it making lucrative and viable providing access to public and subsidized funds to film makers and increases sales and chances of syndication in the international space. Co-production agreements not only enrich bilateral relations through cultural exchanges, but it also gives an impetus to economic activity in the concerned countries through employment generation and improved foreign earnings. It creates incredible opportunities to market high tech production facilities and equipment and encourages knowledge sharing.
Col. Rathore is also expected to promote the idea of India as a filming destination in view of it offering to the world filming community in terms of locations as well as a strong infrastructure. Minister would also make a strong pitch in view of the Government taking a number of measures towards promoting India as a filming destination and facilitating film shootings in India. In this context, Col. Rathore will also provide a roadmap to the industry in achieving this objective to ensure a facilitation point for the producers on issues related to permissions, information on shooting locations and facilities available with the film industry for production and post-production.
During his visit to Cannes, Col. Rathore will also have extensive discussion regarding the branding of IFFI 2015 and the possibility of collaborative partnership with leading film entities. This would be one of the main points of discussion with the CEO of Toronto International Film Festival, Mr. Benoit Ginisty of FIAPF; Carolle Brabant , CEO, Telefilm Canada and Jerome Paillard, Executive Director, Marche du Film, Festiva de Cannes.
Col. Rathore is expected to have extensive discussions with eminent personalities including Mr. Benoit Ginisty, Director General, FIAPF (International Federation of Film Production Associations); Jerome Paillard, Director, Marche Du Film; discussions with Toronto International Film Festival Director Piers Handling; Ms Amanda Nevill, Chief Executive, British Film Institute; Karen Thorne-Stone, President-CEO, Ontario Media Development Corporation and Ms Shivani Pandya, Managing Director, Dubai International Film Festival.
CP/ ST