Press release from Victorian Coalition
Victorian screen delegation announced for Mumbai conference Minister for Innovation, Services and Small Business Louise Asher today announced 10 Victorian screen practitioners will take part in a delegation to Mumbai to foster relationships with Indian film and television content producers.
Ms Asher said the delegates would travel to the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Frames 2012 conference in Mumbai in March as part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s latest efforts to strengthen film and television ties between Victoria and India.
“The new Victoria/ India co-production initiative supports 10 screen practitioners to travel to India with a government-led delegation to meet with key production personnel and develop business relationships between the Victorian and Indian screen industries,” Ms Asher said.
“Delegates from a range of Victorian screen related companies will participate in meetings with Indian content producers and tour Indian production and post development and visual effects facilities.
“The initiative will also 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.”
The delegates travelling to FICCI Frames are:
· Julia Adams, Shiff & Company
· Ian Anderson, Deluxe Melbourne
· Gillian Carr, Moody Street Kids
· Bryce Menzies, Marshalls & Dent
· Robyn Kershaw, Robyn Kershaw Productions
· David Redman, Instinct India
· Mark Ruse, Ruby Entertainment
· Roger Savage, Soundfirm
· Chris Schwarze, Complete Post
· Joanna Werner, Werner Film Productions
Each delegate will receive a $5,000 grant to cover travel, accommodation and associated costs.
Film Victoria CEO Jenni Tosi said she was thrilled with the screen industry’s response to the initiative, which would assist practitioners to develop co-productions or joint ventures with the Indian production sector, and post, digital and visual effects businesses to attract work to Victoria.
“Film Victoria is pleased to be able to offer this opportunity to such a diverse group of producers, financiers, lawyers and post-producers across the film and television industries,” Ms Tosi said.
Ms Asher said the Victoria/India co-production initiative was one element of the suite of screen related election commitments, focusing on strengthening ties between the two nation’s screen industries.
“Other initiatives include a commitment of $500,000 over four years to develop the Bollywood Film Festival and the establishment of fellowships for young Victorian directors and producers,” Ms Asher said.
“India is one of the largest and most prolific film industries in the world, and the Victorian Coalition Government is committed to maximising opportunities for collaboration between Victoria and India.
“In addition to support for the screen industry, the Premier will lead a Super Trade Mission to India in February 2012, which will be the largest
mission to ever visit India from Australia with the participation of over 100 Victorian organisations from nine strategic sectors.”