Cannes 2014 - Exports from India- FICCI, Jackky Bhagnani, Aishwariya Rai, Sonam Kapoor, Mallika Sherawat, Avtar Panesar

Media & Entertainment sector is growing at 14-17%' 

​India at Cannes Film Festival - Day 2

Cannes, May 17, 2014: Day 2 of activities at the India Pavilion – organized by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in association with FICCI – at the Cannes Film Market 2014 started at 10 a.m. with structured B2B meetings between Indian and international delegates – with the aim of allowing Indian participants at the Cannes Film Festival to be able to promote and facilitate their business goals. Shri Bimal Julka, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India, met with Cameron Bailey, Artistic Director, Toronto International Film Festival; Jerome Paillard, Executive Director, Marche du Film Festival de Cannes; and Amanda Nevill, Chief Executive, British Film Institute.

Post lunch, at 2.30 p.m., was the hugely awaited interactive session on 'Co-Production: Merging Resources to Create Magic'. Starting with a keynote address by Shri Julka, this session, with speakers from six countries, focused on the how co-production makes filmmaking viable and lucrative by providing access to public or subsidized funds to filmmakers and increases sales and chances of syndication in the international space. According to Shri Julka, co-production agreements not only enrich bilateral exchanges towards substantial cultural benefits, but also bring in foreign exchange to a country's exchequer, and contribute to actual economic growth. This power-packed session saw insights from Dave Gibson, CEO, New Zealand Film Commission; Carolle Brabant, Executive Director, Telefilm Canada; Franck Priot, Deputy Director, Film France; Nina Lath Gupta, Managing Director, NFDC; Cindy Shyu, CEO, Light House Productions, China; Pierre Assouline, Owner, Producer, Only Films, Paris, and Westeast Films, Mumbai; and Mr T.P. Aggarwal, the first Indian Vice President of FIAPF. Weighing in on the creative concerns of co-produced filmmaking were Indian film veterans Dr Kamal Haasan and Mr Ramesh Sippy. The session was anchored by veteran filmmaker and producer Bobby Bedi. Two important announcements were made at the session – that the first India-New Zealand co-production, Beyond the Known World, is on the verge of being finalized; and that an India-China audiovisual co-production agreement – it will be India's 10^th audio-visual co-production agreement with other countries – is in the offing.

This session was followed by fascinating conversation wherein legendary filmmaker, actor, producer and writer Dr Kamal Haasan was interviewed by critic and anchor Ms Anupama Chopra. Dr Haasan captivated the tightly packed audience with his candid answers on all things film and his experience as an actor for fifty-plus years. On being asked why we have not yet cracked the competition section at Cannes and won the Palme D'Or yet, Kamal Haasan said 'The problem is that we are a self-sufficient nation!' He stressed that Indian filmmakers need to stop being satisfied with the familiarity and safety of local markets and start taking risks – so that India can constantly produce truly global content that is appreciated across the world.

Shri Julka also met with the artistic team of the upcoming Indo-French coproduction based on Rabindranath Tagore's short story 'Kabuliwallah' – the film will be directed by renowned Afghan filmmaker Atiq Rahimi. Shri Julka expressed that the Government of India is keen to collaborate on the project, which would provide a boost to Indo-Afghan ties.

The evening saw an exclusive networking evening co-hosted by the I & B Ministry of India and the New Zealand Film Commission. An intimate interaction between filmmakers, producers and commissions from New Zealand and India, the event was the first of a kind Indian initiative aimed at promoting and forging ties for co-production and other partnerships between the two countries.

 \Ms Mallika Sherawat,Bollywood Actor & Mrs Arun Kumar Singh,wife of  Indian Ambassador to France at CII India Evening at Cannes on 15th May 2014.

 Mr Ramesh Sippy and Mr Prakash Hinduja at CII India Evening at Cannes on 15th May 2014.

cII engages Indian film industry with Hollywood at Cannes

confederation  of Indian Industry dominated Indian presence at 67th CAnnes film festival besides organising a business pavilion at the Cannes Film Market hosted a splendid party at a boat on Thursday sending a strong message that Indian film  industry is mature enough to do business with the world.  The CII initiative at Cannes was spearheaded under the leadership of Hyde Park Entertainment chairman Ashok Amritraj the only Indian who has successful in making over hundred movies in Hollywood.
the objective of the CII India evening was to engage honchos of the Indian film industry to network with bigwigs of Hollywood. Present on the occasion were who's who of the Indian film industry, global media and international business houses.

India is ranked fifth in global box office collections with dollar 1.5 billion (China on top with dollar 3.2 billion, Japan dollar 2.4 billion UK 1.7 billion France dollar )1.6 billion and the objective of cii initiative  at Cannes is to move up the ladder.

Mr Ashok Amritraj, Chairman & CEO, Hyde Park
Entertainment and Chairman, CII Cannes Initiatives greeting Mr Ramesh Sippy at Boat for CII India Evening at Cannes on 15th May 2014

Indian Cinema, global footprint: CII at Cannes Film Market 2014

For the 12^th consecutive year CII spearheading the business of filmed entertainment at Cannes

Indian cinema is set globalize at a faster pace with the emergence of new filmmakers making a mark at global film festivals. Speaking at the inaugural of the CII Booth at the Cannes Film market 2014 top film Industry veterans concurred that bright times are ahead for India films to reach out to new territories across the world.

Unveiling the CII stand at Palais, Cannes Film Market,  Mr Bimal Julka, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the Ministry will facilitate and help Indian film industry reach new global markets.

Ashok Amritraj, Chairman of CII Initatives at Cannes said there has been a rapid change in recent times and new emerging Indian filmmakers are changing the face of Indian cinema. “It is very different what we were seven years ago.”   CII is at Cannes for the 12^th consecutive year promoting India filmed entertainment at Cannes.

“India has the most vibrant film sector and is currently occupying a significant space in the global arena. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting plays the role of a facilitator to ensure Indian film industry’s rapid and vibrant growth,” said Mr Bimal Julka.

He spelled out the major initiatives of the I&B Ministry and asked global filmmakers to collaborate with India. He said the National Film Heritage Mission will be inaugurated after the taking over of the new government.

Mr Arun Singh H.E. Indian Ambassador to France said Indian content is growing rapidly in new global markets. “The entire world has opened to cinemas of various genres. It is in the cusp of a strong phase of growth. The potential of the industry is immense and further growth is possible as industry players continue to innovate and reach out to the masses with engaging content,” said Mr Arun Singh.

Aditi Das Rout, Director General, Service Exports Promotion Council (SEPC) maintained that animation, gaming and visual effects are key areas of growth and SEPC will focus on creating new markets for India.

Avtar Panesar, VP International Operations, Yash Raj Film, Resul Pookutty , Oscar winning Sound designer, Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra, Bollywood actor Mallika Sherawat spoke on the occasion on the changing Indian cinema and global footprint.

A poster celebrating the global presence of Indian cinema was unveiled on this occasion.

Cannes

15^th May 2014