Ficci Frames' Kolkata chapter by year-end

Frames, the annual showcase entertainment event organised by industry body Ficci, is set to have a Kolkata chapter by the end of the year.

The Kolkata chapter of Ficci Frames will be the second regional initiative. A South chapter is being organised since 2009, an event that shuffles between Hyderabad and Chennai.

“We are planning to organise Ficci Frames, Kolkata, by the end of the year. While in the beginning the event may not get international experts, Ficci will ensure national participation from industry, Bollywood and the South Indian film industry for the event,” said Leena Jasani, director and head of entertainment division of Ficci.

The event was conceived by Bengali film actor Prasenjit. He is also set to be the convener of Ficci Frames, Kolkata. The preliminary decision to initiate a Kolkata chapter was taken after the Ficci national executive committee met in the city last week.

Representatives from the national council met the new chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, who pledged full support to the initiative. The boost the Bengali film industry would get from the initiative is set to be a feather in Banerjee’s cap.

“The Bengali film and entertainment industry, currently growing at over 60 per cent, will get a major boost from the investment and corporate influence that a Ficci Frames event will bring with it,” said Prasenjit.

The Ficci Frames, Mumbai, currently in its 13th year, has participation from over 300 national and international entertainment professionals and experts from across 15 countries.

“Technology-based interaction from experts, which Ficci will ensure, will help the (film) industry become more professional, while integrating new methods of promotion and money-making within the industry’s working mechanism,” said Prasenjit. The event in the south was actor-producer Kamal Haasan’s initiative and saw participation from 12 international delegates in its very first year.

“There is a lot of scope for growth of the industry in Bengal. With inward investment and betterment in the professional culture due to the added expertise from the delegates, the event is sure to perpetuate more money in Tollywood,” said Jasani.