New Delhi: Films selected in any international film festival will now get financial assistance from the information & broadcasting (I&B) ministry for promotional activities, the government said on Tuesday.
According to a statement released by the I&B ministry, the government has set up a film promotion fund under which financial aid will be given to any movie selected in the competition section in any international film festival, including India’s official nomination for Academy awards. The aid will be given for promotional activities related to the film.
“The government looks forward to the promotion of Indian cinema in the international arena as well as to assist independent filmmakers to promote their creations. This initiative would help independent filmmakers to promote their work across the globe,” said I&B minister M. Venkaiah Naidu. The Directorate of Film Festivals has been designated as the nodal agency for implementing this initiative.
The value of the promotion fund ranges from Rs7,50,000 to Rs1 crore, depending on the stature of the film festival. For instance, a film nominated for Academy Awards will get financial aid of up to Rs1 crore, while a Venice Film Festival selection can fetch around Rs15 lakh for promotional activities.
Naidu further added that the financial aid will largely take care of screening, advertising, networking events, travel, accommodation, logistics and technical requirements of Indian filmmakers. “The idea is to take care of these areas to begin with. We are also planning to organize workshops for the film and media students and professionals,” he said.
Earlier in May, the I&B ministry had also approached the home ministry and ministry of external affairs for the creation of a special visa category for foreign filmmakers who want to scout for shooting locales in the country.
Meanwhile, the I&B ministry is conducting the eight-day International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, which will open on 20 November. About 194 films from 88 countries will be screened at the festival. The ministry will also felicitate playback singer S.P. Balasubrahmanyam with the Centenary Award for Indian film personality of the year.
