India seems to be the flavor of the season in the South of France this year. And we are going all out with the wooing.
Who is being wooed?
Foreign filmmakers of course! And film producers, journalists, film buffs, festival authorities; one of the best opportunities to network with the who’s who of the international film fraternity. Armed with its special guest country status, India has set up a pavilion to showcase itself; with first class facilities provided to representatives of the Indian and global film industry we hear.
Who’s doing the wooing?
It was originally Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari who was supposed to attend the ritzy event, along with a host of ministry officials, and even a select group of journalists. But Tewari opted out, and Chiranjeevi hopped in. Interestingly, till Friday night, there no political clearance for Chiranjeevi to go on an official visit. The go-ahead from the Prime Minister’s office when it finally came had officials scrambling to chalk out an itinerary for the minister, who is accompanied by Joint Secretary, Anand Kumar. Information and Broadcasting Ministry Secretary Uday Kumar Varma and Joint Secretary (Films) Raghavendra Singh are also among those who are attending the festival.
What’s up for grabs?
A Single Window Clearance System for accessing tourist locations and production facilities in India. The single window system aims to provide a single stop for all shooting needs in the country. This will cut down on red-tape and multiple clearances that foreign filmmakers need to seek before being allowed to shoot here at present.
Chiranjeevi is likely to promote India as a Filming Destination. “Several destinations have gained in terms of tourist influx by being the locale of popular domestic and international cinema. The Oscar award winning film Life of Pi was shot in Pudducherry and Munnar. The Ministry of Tourism is promoting these destinations as the Land of Pi,” a tourism ministry official said.
Among the ministry’s activities at Cannes Film festival would be a presentation during the Incredible India dinner to provide opportunities for business networking. The Ministry of Tourism will also be setting up an Incredible India booth within the India Pavilion. Screening of Incredible India promotional films is also slated.
- Rs 4 crore has been allotted in the current budget for the country to take part in seven festivals abroad. The National Film Development Corporation under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is tasked with participating in film festivals abroad.
- The Tourism Ministry has signed an MoU with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to promote Indian cinema as part of Incredible India campaign at various international film festivals like IFFI Goa, European Film Market and Cannes Film Festival.
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