Press release from the Victorian State Government
Innovation, Services and Small Business Minister Louise Asher today announced a new screen industry initiative that will foster relationships between Victorian and Indian film and television content producers.
Ms Asher said the Victoria/ India co-production initiative will support up to 10 Victorian practitioners to take part in a delegation to India to meet with key Indian production personnel.
“The initiative will provide opportunities for Victorians to develop co-productions or joint ventures with the Indian production sector, and for post development and visual effects businesses to assess opportunities to attract work to Victoria,” Ms Asher said.
“The Victorian Coalition Government is committed to strengthening ties between India and Australia, and to facilitating opportunities between the two screen industries through Australia-India co-productions.
“This initiative is important in developing business relationships and project development between the Victorian and Indian screen industries and increasing investment, exports and jobs in the Victorian screen sector.
“India is one of the largest film production destinations in the world, having released more than 1,000 films in the last six years and generating on average around 3 billion cinema admissions, providing a good fit for Victorian co-production projects.
"This new commitment is additional to the significant Indian screen commitments the Coalition took to the last election which include support for a Bollywood Film Festival, the establishment of fellowships for young Victorian directors and producers, and the appointment of a Bollywood ambassador for Victoria."
After the delegation to India, Film Victoria, as part of the Victoria/ India co-production initiative, will support up to three Victorian companies to develop a feature film, television or digital media project as a joint venture with a production entity based in India.
Film Victoria CEO Jenni Tosi said the initiative aimed to provide great benefits to local practitioners and drive future production activity in the state.
“The delegates will be attending the FICCI Frames 2012 conference in Mumbai in March, participate in meetings with Indian content producers, and tour Indian production and post development and visual effects facilities,” Ms Tosi said.
“The delegation and the opportunity to apply for co-production development funding is an important step towards strengthening relationships with India, one of the largest and most prolific film production locations in the world."
Up to 10 Victorian delegates will be selected and provided with a $5,000 grant to cover travel, accommodation and associated costs. Applications for expressions of interest, available on the Film Victoria website, are now open and close on 29 November 2011.