India urged Canada to collaborate with Indian film producers

Toronto: India displayed its strengths at the ongoing Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) here as a film shooting destination for Global film producers?and invited joint collaborations among stakeholders within the policy framework.

"Indian Pavilion at the TIFF in Toronto has provided a platform for Indian filmmakers and producers to market their films and negotiate co-production agreements," Bimal Julka, Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and leader of Indian delegation at TIFF, said.

"India offers unprecedented opportunities in its film and entertainment sector and urged foreign film producers to evolve strategies for production, marketing and distributions of films," Julka said and added, "The biggest strength of India is its diverse range of over 1.2 billion populations, which embraces all kinds of cinema."

Julka was speaking at a reception hosted by the Indian Consulate in honour of the visiting Indian delegation. A large number of signatories including members of parliament attended the function.

"The recently signed Indo-Canada Audio-Visual Co-Production Agreement offers exciting opportunities for Indian, Canadian film producers and other stakeholders to collaborate on various aspects of film making and provide the platform of engagement," Julka said.

Besides, the agreement provides a road map for sharing revenue, copyrights and other benefits. Julka, who was here on a four day visit to explore the possibilities of pooling creative, artistic, technical, financial and marketing resources for co-production between the two countries.

India has similar agreements with Germany, Brazil, Italy, Spain, Poland, UK and New Zealand, and will soon finalise co-production treaties with Korea, Australia, China, Japan and other countries.

He apprised Canadian stakeholders on the progress achieved so far in expediting the single window online clearance mechanism for film shooting in India.?It will be resource base and also answer frequent queries of line producers and film producers," Julka said.?

He said that the global interest in India and in Indian films has grown manifold. While the mainstream commercial Indian film sector continues to prosper, a new crop of Indian filmmakers has emerged.

This was reflected in the Indian films selected this year at TIFF which has over the years celebrated works from the diverse movie-making traditions from India. "The Indian films have now transcended the diaspora audiences and moved to mainstream international market, and as a government body, our aim is to make this transition smooth by creating an enabling regulatory environment for our film fraternity and the international one," Julka added.

Julka also meet David Carey, director, TIFF, to discussed issues related to the participation of Indian films at the film festival.

Julka will also participate in the Asian Film Summit being held at Toronto.?The summit is important as it provides a platform to discuss issues related to the Asian film industry, the achievements at the global film forum.