INDIA-ITALY SIGN LOI ON AGREEMENT
ON FILM CO-PRODUCTION
India and Italy look
forward to expand cooperation between the two creative film industries
and bring India and Italy closer through films in a globalising
world. This was stated by the Minister of Information & Broadcasting,
Shri Ravi Shankar Prasad after signing a Letter of Intent (LOI)
to sign an Agreement on Co-production of Films and Co-distribution
between India and Italy with his Italian counterpart, Mr. Giuliano
Urbani at Venice, Italy today. The Minister said on the occasion
that India and Italy look forward to signing this Agreement during
the forthcoming visit of Prime Minister Berlusconi to India.
For some time now
there has been discussion between Italy and India for the signing
of a co-production agreement between the two countries. In line
with the Government’s approach to facilitate the Indian film industry’s
outreach as also to promote cultural exchanges between India and
Italy, the Italian interest in a co-production agreement with
India has been welcomed. In order to achieve this objective, the
Government of India and Italy are in the process of working on
a Co-production Agreement between Italy and India. Cooperation
between both the industries is also being promoted through a proposed
Co-distribution Agreement.
The main objectives
of the LOI are to agree in a manner consistent with the laws and
international commitments of both the countries to facilitate
distribution of films produced in Italy and India in each other’s
country so that these can be appreciated by larger audiences in
Europe and in India. Also to encourage the distribution of national
films in each other’s country and to look favourably upon an Agreement
which will enhance this cooperation in accordance with the prevailing
laws and regulations in both countries; as also in consonance
with the financial or distribution support provided to films produced
by their industries. It was also proposed to promote the presence
and participation of each other’s industry in their respective
film festivals and markets and to support production of Indian
films in Italy and of Italian films in India.
Present on the
occasion were eminent representatives of Italian media and films.
From the Indian side the Ambassador of India to Italy, H. E. Mr.
Himachal Som and the Secretary, Ministry of Information &
Broadcasting, Shri Pawan Chopra were present. Also present were
Ms. Sharmila Tagore and Mr. Gautam Ghosh whose film ‘Abar Arannye’
was screened at the Venice Festival amid critical acclaim.
