Sydney Showcased For Indian Film Directors

The Iemma Government in New South Wales will showcase Sydney's strengths as a movie location to leading Indian film-makers visiting Australia for the 2007 Indian Film Festival, Minister for State Development Ian Macdonald said.
Minister Macdonald said the Indian Film Festival will screen until 28 October at Hoyts Cinema Paris at Moore Park and will attract a range of Indian film stars, film makers and industry professionals to the city.
“This will be a great opportunity to promote Sydney and NSW as a location for Bollywood film productions,” Mr Macdonald said.
"NSW has a great deal to offer Bollywood producers – stunning landscapes and attractions, a friendly and professional film industry workforce, a wealth of creative talent, leadership in the convergence of the ICT and creative and entertainment industries, and a supportive state government.”
Minister Macdonald said three visiting Indian film directors, Feroz Abbas Khan, Siddharth Anand and Shimit Amin, will be hosted on a New South Wales film and television office tour of Sydney landmarks and potential film locations as well as being briefed on NSW Government assistance available to international film projects.
The visit will include a water taxi tour of Sydney harbour to Watsons Bay and then a tour through the eastern suburbs residential areas plus coastal environs around Bondi Beach, the CBD, the Rocks, Darling Harbour and the University of Sydney.
Minister Macdonald said a highlight of the Indian Film Festival will be a gala cocktail evening at the Museum of Contemporary Art at which two major awards - for Best Film and Best Performance - will be presented.
“NSW has become a popular location for Bollywood movies including “Heyy Babyy”, which was the biggest multi-star Bollywood film production ever to come to Australia involving more than 450 Australian cast and crew,” Mr Macdonald said.
“NSW generates the majority of Australian film and TV production and is home to the largest film studio complex in the Southern Hemisphere at Fox Studios. NSW is also a leader in post-production, supported by its talented, skilled people and technology and innovation in digital audio, visual special effects and animation.”
More information on the 2007 Indian Film Festival is available at:
www.mgdistribution.com/au/festival
(DS)