Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore has introduced an additional activity under the existing Plan Scheme for providing financial assistance to filmmakers whose films are selected in competition section of an international film festival of repute or are India’s official nomination for Academy Awards under Foreign Film Category.

Early this month, Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu had announced at a press meet that the Fund was aimed at promoting Indian cinema at International Film Festivals. This initiative would help independent filmmakers to promote their work across the globe.

Naidu claimed that the Government’s efforts to project India as a soft power and filming destination has been a win-win situation so far, in terms of attracting global stakeholders from various quarters of film industry to India as well as Indian films, expertise and talent being accepted globally at international festivals.

Indian films competing in various categories at Sundance Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival, Locarno International Film Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Venice International Film Festival and International Film Festival of Rotterdam, among others, would also be provided promotional funds.

1. Sundance Film Festival – January World Cinema Dramatic competition 15,00,000

2. Sundance Film Festival – January Premieres 10,00,000

3. Int. Film Festival of Rotterdam -January Hivos Tiger Awards Competition 10,00,000

4. Int. Film Festival of Rotterdam -– January Bright Future 7,50,000

5. Int. Film Festival of Rotterdam – January Spectrum 7,50,000

6. Berlin International Film Festival – February Competition 15,00,000

7. Berlin International Film Festival – February Panorama 10,00,000

8. Berlin International Film Festival – February Forum 10,00,000

9. Berlin International Film Festival – February Generation K-plus
& Generation 14plus 10,00,000

10. Festival de Cannes – May In Competition 20,00,000

11. Festival de Cannes – May Un Certain Regard 15,00,000

12. Directors’ Fortnight– May World Premiere 15,00,000

13. International Critics’ Week – May World Premiere 10,00,000

14. Venice International Film Festival – September In Competition 15,00,000

15. Venice International Film Festival – September Orizzonti 10,00,000

16. International Critics’ Week – September Official Selection 7,50,000

17. Venice Days – September Official Selection 7,50,000

18. Toronto Int. Film Festival – September Special Presentation 15,00,000

19. Toronto Int. Film Festival – September Discovery 10,00,000

20. Busan Int. Film Festival –October New Currents 10,00,000

21. Busan Int. Film Festival – October Window on Asian Cinema 7,50,000

22. Locarno Int. Film Festival Concorso Internazionale 7,50,000

23. Oscars Foreign Language Film 50,00,000 to 1,00,00,000

This initiative by the ministry will take care of expenses like engagement of a publicist, travel of director, producer and key talent to be present at the red carpet including press meets, accommodation, screenings, advertising, networking, technical material and creation and promotion of marketing material.

This step has been taken by the Union ministry of Information and Broadcasting to promote Indian cinema in the international arena and especially help independent filmmakers to promote their work.