Government to promote Indian cinema all over the world

New Delhi, Apr 29 : Information and Broadcasting Minister P. R. Dasmunsi told the Lok Sabha today that the government is planning to implement 'Export Promotion through film festivals in India and Abroad' scheme to promote Indian cinema all over the world.

The scheme would be implemented through the Directorate of Film Festivals and it covers International Film Festival of India organizations, participation in various film festivals in India and abroad and conduction of film festivals.

Dasmunsi said, "Films are sent to various Indian embassies for conduct of festivals. They are the medium of cultural export. The conduct of film festivals abroad not only promotes our culture but also facilitates in export of Indian films."

"In the XIth Plan, this scheme additionally provides grants-in-aid to Federation of Film Societies of India and support to Non Government Organization's/State Government organizations in holding film festivals. In the Xth Plan, a sum of Rs 989.42 lakhs was utilized under this scheme. The provision of the XIth Plan is Rs. 2069 lakhs," he added.

He also informed about the existing Main Secretariat Scheme of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting called 'Participation in Film Markets' that envisages providing support, facilitation and promotion of the export potential of the Indian film industry.

He said, "The scheme intends to cover not only specific institutionalized international markets such as Cannes Film Market/Berlin Film Festival/American Film Market/MIPCOM, Cannes among others (participation to be decided yearly) but also the Film Bazaar which is held along side the International Film Festival of India each year. In the Xth Plan a sum of Rs. 442.85 lakhs was utilized for the purpose. The provision for the XIth Plan is for Rs. 1100 lakhs."

"The Core Group on 'Export of films and related issues' furnished its report in 2007 recommending the formation of an Export Promotion Council. The Ministry is actively pursuing with the industry for setting up of an Export Promotion Council. The Core Group also recommended that existing Plan scheme of the Ministry may be encouraged and strengthened," he added.

ANI