Film festivals ideal platform for movie promotion

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 11 (UNI) Opining that film festivals were an ideal platform for promotion of movies, filmmakers and sales agents said they provided a direct promotion opportunity, by way of possible interactions between sales agents, filmmakers and producers.

The opinion was raised at a seminar on 'Film Marketing' organised here as part of the International Film festival of Kerala.

Mathilde Henrot representing MK-2 said ''Festivals provide connectivity with people and generate good press response, in addition to opening up commercial potential.'' Manas Malhotra of Bharat Bala production, introduced new ways for movie promotion like satellite television and Internet.

The discussion centered towards the potential market of regional Indian films abroad.

Jai Bajaj of Baba Digital Media, was of the opinion that filmmakers should understand the taste of foreign audiences, before embarking on a marketing mission.

Chinlin of Celluloid Dreams said there could be no standardised sales strategy employed by sales agents to promote Indian films. He advised that content and presentation were two aspects that the agents looked for while deciding whether or not to acquire a film.

Christina Marouda, Director of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) moderated the discussion.

UNI