News

The European Film Commission Network and Film France in partnership with Golden Bird Entertainment and peacefulfish aim to make productions easier between Europe and India.

On the occasion of 100 years of Indian Cinema at Cannes, these partners launched a first-of-its-kind high-level panel discussion on combining European financing opportunities with Indian production, financing, and distribution power.

The Cannes panel discussion had a keynote speech from Mr. Uday Kumar Varma, Secretary, Indian Information and Broadcasting Ministry, who guided on the much simplified “Single window clearance for international shoots and co-production treaties”. Producer Johannes Rexin of Heimat film, Germany shared his experiences on the first official German-Indian co-production “Qissa” starring Irrfan Khan. The European Film Commission Network (Eufcn) and Franck Priot, COO, Film France focused on their mission and objectives which have helped them to work with Indian and French production companies and films in France and India. Juliane Schulze, Senior Partner, peacefulfish providec invaluable guidance on European tax incentives, subsidies, and co-financing opportunities. The panel was moderated by Mohinder Walia, Managing Director, Golden Bird Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. (Former MD, Twentieth Century Fox Studios India) and he shared his deep insight on production, financing, and global distribution from an Indian perspective.

This high-level panel discussion addressed the most effective ways for European and Indian film producers to form lasting working relationships and benefit from the different financing landscapes of both territories.

With the day packed to the tee with seminars, group discussions and workshops, Day 2 at Ficci Frames was abuzz with activities. Here's an overview - Innovative ways to fund the entertainment business: There is no doubt that investments made in films can at times have phenomenal returns, but it is accompanied by a huge risk factor. This deters many financiers in today's era of economic flux. The seminar focussed on newer ways of gathering funds for the media and entertainment sector. A few interesting observations from the seminar were that banks weren't keen on setting up a panel that would evaluate the feasibility and potential of a creative project before investing in it. They would still bet on high profile stars as a security for getting their money back. Film-funds would be the best bet for someone planning to make a feature without the backing of the stars, but India...

With the day packed to the tee with seminars, group discussions and workshops, Day 2 at Ficci Frames was abuzz with activities. Here's an overview - Innovative ways to fund the entertainment business: There is no doubt that investments made in films can at times have phenomenal returns, but it is accompanied by a huge risk factor. This deters many financiers in today's era of economic flux. The seminar focussed on newer ways of gathering funds for the media and entertainment sector. A few interesting observations from the seminar were that banks weren't keen on setting up a panel that would evaluate the feasibility and potential of a creative project before investing in it. They would still bet on high profile stars as a security for getting their money back. Film-funds would be the best bet for someone planning to make a feature without the backing of the stars, but India...

A Screenwriting Workshop, “The Six Layers of a Great Film and Great Character” will be conducted by Hollywood’s renowned screenwriter David Freeman at the upcoming Ficci Frames 2011. Ficci Frames 2011, the annual convention of the media and entertainment industry, will be held through March 23-25, 2011in Mumbai.

A session on marketing Indian films abroad, “Gateways to the European Market” will be conducted by Juliane Schulze, Senior Partner, Peacefulfish , Germany. The session which will also include consultation, will involve detailed presentation on European film financing covering the core European markets (treaties, EU funding, national & regional funding, specialized funds and cash rebates.)

To register, visit http://www.ficci-frames.com/registration.htm.

Some other things of interest: (As stated in Ficci Frames Press Release, subject to change)

Making Cinema with Global Appeal: A Session with the Stalwarts

What goes into creating movies which appeal to a worldwide audience and can captivate countries together?...

Asia's one of the largest conferences on Entertainment Business - Ficci Frames, featuring a number of interactive panel discussions, workshops and celebrity keynotes is scheduled for March 23rd to 25th 20011, at Hotel Renaissance in Mumbai. Some of the key speakers lined up for the event comprise of Stewart Beck, High Commissioner of Canada to India & Bhutan; Hollywood star Hugh Jackman and Chairman and Chief Executive - News Corporation, Europe and Asia - James Murdoch, apart from several leading filmmakers, Bollywood celebrities and media gurus will address the convention. With its strong focus on films, the major highlights of 2011 will include: a) Roundtable on European Film Financing & Co Production: A two hour in depth presentation, consultancy & analysis by Finance Consultant Juliane Schulze, Peacefulfish, Germany. b) David Freeman Masterclass on Live Action Films & Animation: i) The secret behind Pixar's magic: The 11 techniques that make Pixar films successful. ii) The 6 Layers of a...

Asia's one of the largest conferences on Entertainment Business - Ficci Frames, featuring a number of interactive panel discussions, workshops and celebrity keynotes is scheduled for March 23rd to 25th 20011, at Hotel Renaissance in Mumbai. Some of the key speakers lined up for the event comprise of Stewart Beck, High Commissioner of Canada to India & Bhutan; Hollywood star Hugh Jackman and Chairman and Chief Executive - News Corporation, Europe and Asia - James Murdoch, apart from several leading filmmakers, Bollywood celebrities and media gurus will address the convention. With its strong focus on films, the major highlights of 2011 will include: a) Roundtable on European Film Financing & Co Production: A two hour in depth presentation, consultancy & analysis by Finance Consultant Juliane Schulze, Peacefulfish, Germany. b) David Freeman Masterclass on Live Action Films & Animation: i) The secret behind Pixar's magic: The 11 techniques that make Pixar films successful. ii) The 6 Layers of a...