19 Feb :Recognising the potential of export of Indian films abroad, Government of India has taken several steps to encourage promotion of Indian films. They are as follows:-
i) To promote Indian films, Government of India through its Plan Scheme ‘Participation in foreign Film Festival/Markets”, encourage Indian companies and producers to participate in global film festivals and markets such as Cannes Film Festival/Market, European Film Market, Berlin, etc. Film Bazaar is also held alongside the International Film Festival of India at Goa. Further, in order to promote cinema and to enhance the visibility of our film industry, Government of India organizes Indian Pavilion in markets and screens Indian films in different International film festivals. Indian film festivals are also organized in different countries regularly.
ii) Audio-visual co-production agreements have been singed with Republic of Italy, United Kingdom, Brazil and Germany.
iii) In order to ensure all round development of film industry, five Core Groups, comprising of the representatives of the film industry, had been constituted to submit suggestions on measures to promote the film industry. Action has been initiated on several recommendations.
iv) Industry has been encouraged to constitute an Export Promotion Forum/Council. Such Forum, as and when constituted, could seek financial support from the Government of India for development of export markets and participation therein.
v) Films are permitted to be exhibited in film festivals in India and abroad under ATA Carnet.
This information was given by Shri Anand Sharma, Minister for Information and Broadcasting & External Affairs in reply to a question in the Parliament today.
Various reports pertaining to film industry indicate that the popularity of Indian films abroad is growing fast and that Indian film-makers are trying to tap overseas markets in different parts of the world. Along with other audience, the growing Indian diaspora around the world has created a market for Indian films overseas. In accordance with the feedback received from the representatives of the Indian Film Industry, markets for Indian films are growing steadily in North Europe, Germany, France and Japan. In China too, there is huge untapped film market. The mainstream cable companies in the United States have started a “Video on Demand” for Indian films. Latin America is also considered as a new market for Indian films.