Film, animation opportunities explored in Toronto

Single window clearance for film producers who want to shoot in India, possibilities of tie-ups with Canada's film board and with country's leading animation, visual effects and gaming centre were discussed during a visit by an Indian delegation to Toronto.

The Indian delegation led by Information and Broadcasting Secretary Bimal Julka participated in the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in order to give a major fillip to the mechanism of promoting co-productions under the recently signed India-Canada audio-visual co-production agreement.

Julka and the delegation met a number of officials from the Canadian and Ontario governments to discuss various proposals related to bilateral cooperation, capacity building and exchanges in the films domain, said an information and broadcasting ministry statement.

A key highlight of the visit was the participation of the Indian delegation at a session titled 'Lightning Talks: Co-Production' at the festival, which included short presentations by international co-production agencies on how to structure opportunities and what resources are available for the filmmaker interested in going global.

The session gave first-hand information about the do's and don'ts of co-production between various countries. The session saw the participation from three countries - Australia, Colombia and India, it said.

Julka spoke about opportunities for the youth in the media and entertainment sector in India. He explained about favourable environment in India for film producers who want to shoot in India by means of a single window clearance mechanism.

He also spoke about the benefits of the audio-visual co-production agreements that India has signed with nine countries, including the latest with Canada.

The delegation attended meetings with key officials of Telefilm Canada, National Film Board of Canada, Ontario Media Development Corporation (OMDC), and also a roundtable organised by the Canada Indian Business Council (CIBC).

The discussions with Telefilm Canada, OMDC and CIBC revolved around the joint efforts that could be taken to encourage Indian and Canadian co-producers to take advantage of the newly-signed co-production agreement.

Julka offered to host similar sessions and discussions at the International Film Festival of India, Goa, for Indian and Canadian producers.

The delegation met the officials of the National Film Board (NFB), the largest public producer and distributor of films in Canada, and explored the possibility of a tie-up with the ministry's own film production media units, NFDC, Films Division and Children's Film Society of India for distribution of their films in Canada.

The National Film Board offered its expertise in training the trainers of the ministry's film schools, and designing educational film programmes for children, it said.

The delegation visited Sheridan College, a globally recognized leader for learning in animation, visual effects and gaming and apprised president of Sheridan College Jeff Zapudski about India's upcoming National Centre of Excellence in Animation, Gaming and Visual Effects (NCOE).