THE EVENT
OMDC is organizing the first Screen Based Mission to India, an exploratory trip that will build on the interest and strengths established by the Ontario Government as a result of the Indian International Film Academy (IIFA) Awards and accompanying Global Business Forum that took place in Toronto in June.
The trip will be designed to provide an introduction to the vast and multi-levelled Indian industry. The proposed schedule includes:
Four days in Mumbai to include two days of “project meetings”, designed to introduce Ontario producers and their projects to the Indian marketplace, and vice versa, to be followed by one-on-one meetings; and two days of site visits and meetings at facilities such as the state-of-the art Sony Lab at Whistling Woods Film School, Film City (one of the classic Hindi studios), as well as animation/new media production studios. Networking opportunities will be programmed into the trip wherever possible.
Four days in Goa to participate in the four day Film Bazaar, hosted by the National Film Development Corporation of India, and the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). OMDC is in discussions with IFFI to program a group of Ontario/Canadian films that will showcase a cross section of “Canada’s Best” as part of the mission.
Approximately eight (8) established Ontario independent producers will be selected to participate in the Screen Based Mission to India, to include the following genres:
- Feature Film and Documentary producers
- Interactive Digital Media Companies/ Developers/Producers
OMDC will participate in the mission and assist with the mission strategic support and costs.
BACKGROUND
India’s media and entertainment industry is by far, the largest, the most varied and certainly the most vibrant in the world. The industry spans what is truly a sub-continent, twenty-two official languages, and dozens of styles of production linked to various areas. With an enormous population base and increasing levels of capitalization, professionalism and international outlook, India is becoming increasingly important as a global partner. By creating a focus on Mumbai, and then on Goa, with participation in the International Film Bazaar and the International Film Festival of India, Ontario producers will have the opportunity to experience the strongest streams within this vast industry - namely the Hindi industry (Bollywood) of Mumbai, and the South Indian or Tamil Industry which will be represented at the Goa event. Indian screen-based companies also have a highly developed cross-platform content strategy, with mobile and online content across a range of genres reaching an enormous and fast growing audience.
The Film Bazaar, organized by the National Film Development Corporation of India has quickly become a central meeting point for professionals from across India, facilitating relationships and business development through co-production panels, workshops, and a variety of industry specific gatherings and meetings. Film Bazaar draws an increasingly international audience and has strategic relationships with Locarno Film Festival, Rotterdam Film Festival, the Binger Film Institute, and others.
The OMDC is currently inviting Expressions of Interest from producers who have projects that could be suitable for collaboration within the Indian industry. Meetings in both Mumbai and Goa will include information on the major trends in the Indian industry, financing options, case studies, project pitches and one-on-one meetings.
TIMING AND FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION
Interested producers should submit their Expression of Interest (EOI) by JULY 15, 2011.
The EOI should include:
• a corporate bio and/or a producer’s bio
• an outline for the proposed project to be pitched, including relevance to the Indian market, potential for the project as a co-production, current development and financing status and any packaging attachments
• a cover e-mail outlining interest in and objectives for participating in the mission.
OMDC will make decisions on selected producers by the third week of July. Short-listed producers will be asked to submit additional materials to the NFDC and Film Bazaar for their catalogue, and to the Film Federation of India for meetings in Mumbai. Selected producers will be offered financial support to offset participation expenses separate from any existing or pending OMDC Export Fund support. Each producer will be responsible for providing/accessing any additional funds required to participate.
The OMDC will make travel arrangements for the group, and producers will be asked to pay for a portion, likely 50% of their travel and accommodation costs.
Deadline for submissions: July 15, 2011 at 5pm.
Please submit an EOI package for the Screen Based Mission to INDIA to the attention of Ivonete de Sousa at programs@omdc.on.ca
Ivonete de Sousa
Coordinator, Industry Initiatives
programs@omdc.on.ca
