The Hindu : National : Cannes: Indian film companies sign deals

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Monday, May 29, 2006

National

National

Cannes: Indian film companies sign deals

Special Correspondent

India positioned as shooting location, post-production centre

NEW DELHI: Indian film production companies managed to sign numerous deals at the Cannes film festival, the world's largest film market. According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which took a delegation to the French film festival, the country had been positioned as a shooting location, post-production centre and for special effects outsourcing.

A release issued here on Sunday by the CII says Indian film content has been widely accepted beyond the Indian diaspora and domestic market. "We made a real breakthrough this year at Cannes. The India pavilion at the Village International attracted enormous attention and connected with global cinema," CII National Entertainment Committee chairman Bobby Bedi said.

Several Indian films such as Rang de Basanti, Don, Hari Om, Boom, and Friends Forever got buyers for overseas territory rights. Theatre owners in Italy, Germany, France, West Asia have come forward to screen Indian movies. Over 80 companies, 20 exhibitors and over 45 independent filmmakers put their products on display at Cannes, the release says.

"We got entry in new markets of west Asia, eastern Europe and south America. We are very happy to sign deals with Rapid Eye Movies in Germany," said UTV Vice President (International) Ashok Holla said. Karan Johar's Dharma Productions also got leads into new markets for its forthcoming movie "Kabhie Alvida Na Kehna".

The CII says the International Film Festival of India and the Film Bazaar to be held in Goa later this year also generated interest among the members of Cannes.

There is a possibility of India ratifying the signed co-production treaty with Italy and U.K. as well as inking audiovisual treaties with Germany, China, Canada and Australia, the release said.

The industry chamber said India would also be a major attraction at the 60th Festival De Cannes next year as synergies were being worked out to combine it with the 60th anniversary of Indian independence celebrating cinema and democracy.

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