SINGLE WINDOW CLEARANCE FOR FOREIGN
FILM PRODUCERS
The Government has
decided to rework the Visa Manual in order to provide a single
window clearance to foreign film producers coming to shoot on
Indian locales.
Announcing this at
the Annual Session of the CII, here today, the Minister of Information
and Broadcasting, Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad said that this would
enable foreign producers to come to India with a script and leave
with the complete films in cans. For this a whole lot of post-production
facilities, studio and other infrastructural facilities including
the hotel and transport arrangements would have to be toned up.
He said, he has suggested to the External Affairs Minister to
make films as a part of diplomacy as the films are the best ambassadors
of the country.
Shri Prasad said
that these steps would help in making India as a low cost film
production hub in the region. In this direction, the English language
speaking experts and technicians and IT expertise, especially
in animation film production are the major inputs. Special animation
courses are being started at Film and Television Institute, Pune
and Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata, he
said.
The Minister
said that Indian films have enormous potential of exploring to
foreign markets but the industry has to work seriously in this
direction. The Government on its part is playing a proactive role,
which is reflected in its initiative at larger participation at
Cannes Film Festival and also holding Film Bazaar at the International
Film Festival in Delhi last year. He said, the Ministry has decided
to participate in all the major film festivals of the world.
Stating that
Asia is emerging as the biggest film market, the Minister stressed
the need for producing better quality films as only ‘good content’
sells with the viewers. Shri Prasad exhorted the film producers
to explore creativity, professional and a better market strategy
to take on Hollywood successfully.
Earlier, Shri
Subash Ghai, Chairman of Mukta Arts and actor-director Shri Shashi
Kapoor highlighted the problems of the film industry and invited
Government intervention in encouraging low-cost films by giving
subsidies providing infrastructure at beautiful locations in India,
and allotting IT status to the film industry.
