Indian Govt. to Help International Filmmakers to Promote Tourism

The Chief Secretary, Shri Sanjay Srivastav presenting the

Special Jury Prize to Shri Salim Ahamed for the film “Adaminte Makan Abu”

during the closing ceremony of the 42nd International Film Festival of India

(IFFI-2011), at Panaji, Goa on December 03, 2011. PIB Photo

NEW DELHI (NNN-Bernama): With the aim of promoting Indian tourist destinations abroad, Indian government Friday has decided to encourage international film directors by offering incentives to foreign and Indian filmmakers to undertake shooting in various exotic locations in the country.

"We are preparing a strategy to promote several destinations by involving prominent filmmakers," Press Trust of India (PTI) quoted Indian Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai.

Streamlining of visa procedures, speedy customs clearance for import of filming equipment, ensuring easy accessibility to locations and eliminating obstacles and offering financial incentives to producers are some of the proposals being finlaised by the ministry to attract international filmmakers.

The ministry also proposes to ensure a single window clearance for licences and no-objection certificates for film makers for shooting at locations including security arrangements.

"Cinema plays an important role in promoting tourism worldwide as India is among those countries which offer a variety of products for filmmaking as well as promoting tourism globally," Sahai said.

Sahai had recently held a meeting with leading film directors at International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in southwestern Indian state Goa.

During the meeting, he proposed a strategy of using the medium of cinema to enhance awareness, create interest among the people to promote the tourist destinations and tourism. -NNN-BERNAMA