From Encore Online

A new screen industry initiative announced today will see the Victorian and Indian industries draw closer together.

The announcement was made by the innovation, services and small business minister, Louise Asher.

The initiative will see 10 Victorian filmmakers take part in a delegation to India to meet with key Indian practitioners and producers.

“The initiative will provide opportunities for Victorians to develop co-productions or joint ventures with the Indian production sector, and for post development and visual effects businesses to assess opportunities to attract work to Victoria,” Ms Asher said.

“India is one of the largest film production destinations in the world, having released more than 1,000 films in the last six years and generating on average around 3 billion cinema admissions, providing a good fit for Victorian co-production projects.”

Film Victoria CEO Jenni Tosi said the initiative aimed to provide great benefits to local practitioners and drive future production activity in the state.

Ms Tosi said: “The delegates will be attending the FICCI Frames 2012 conference in Mumbai in March,  participate in meetings with Indian content producers, and tour Indian production and post development and visual effects facilities.”

“The delegation and the opportunity to apply for co-production development funding is an important step towards strengthening relationships with India, one of the largest and most prolific film production locations in the world,” Ms Tosi continued.

Filmmakers will receive a $5,000 grant to cover travel, accommodation and associated costs.

“This new commitment is additional to the significant Indian screen commitments the Coalition took to the last election which include support for a Bollywood Film Festival, the establishment of fellowships for young Victorian directors and producers, and the appointment of a Bollywood ambassador for Victoria.”

Earlier this month a short film competition run through the Indian Film Festival: Bollywood and Beyond will see an Australasian short film director win at trip to FICCI and one Indian director win a trip to Australia.

Also, earlier this year two Indian-Australian co-productions were announced including one by Australian director Bill Bennett.

The news from Ms Asher’s office follows her announcement on Thursday’s of a grant of $50,000 for Melbourne-based screen resource centre Open Channel, to assist with the upgrade of screen production equipment and support the training of young screen practitioners in Victoria.