2012 Review

The 6th annual edition of Cinemascapes, an event that celebrates the coming together of cinema and tourism, concluded in Mumbai on 25th October, bringing some 14 exhibiting companies to meet with an estimated 450 professionals in the film fraternity. First timer Japan made its entry into this space in India, with its futuristic city of Sapporo in the province of Hokkaido coming forward as the platinum Partner. Sarawak in Malaysia, teamed with other states in Malaysia and made an aggressive bid for bringing Bollywood to its shores. Indian states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh continued with their support of the event, coming as Platinum and Silver partners, and made impressive product presentations to the film industry. Zagreb in Croatia came as presentation partner; so did Starwood Hotels and Resorts to sell hotel rooms and also its properties as enviable backdrops for film shootings, both in India and abroad. The show has seen the Film and Television Producers Guild of India as its anchor partner since its inception; this year, the event also became a part of the Mumbai Film Festival. It was also supported by other leading industry association including the IMPPA and MPAA. It was two hectic days of discussing challenges in the sector: how the film industry was reaching out in search for cinemascapes, to enhance the quality and appeal of cinema, and how destination promoters were eagerly wooing the cinema world, thereby increasing the tourism potential of their destinations.

The first day saw seminar sessions and product presentations. What came out clearly was that it was not just concessions and financial packages that made the film industry choose a particular destination! It was also the ease and facility that was available - destinations that scored were those that made it easy, effortless execution in filming on locations. The ideal and successful destination was that which offered both- ease with an attractive financial package. Some destinations offered a natural environment where filming with ease was possible; others posed multiple problems, including security concerns and clearances hurdles.

Some of the biggest names in the business were present. For the first session, named the challenge of cinema and tourism, Amit Khanna, chairman, Reliance Entertainment, was the moderator. Participating in the session were Anuj Garg, CEO, Balaji Telefilms; Mukesh Bhatt, president of the Guild; Stephan Ottenburch, Indo German Film Week, Berlin; and Amit Dev, consultant. Issues were discussed and the road forward clearly defined - that cinema was a big boost to tourism, and more and more countries were recognising this fact.

The other big session was chaired by eminent film maker Bobby Bedi; it was put together by the Motion Pictures Association of America. It focussed on co-productions as a means of cementing ties between countries and cities. It brought attention to this aspect as a lasting boost to tourism. Participating in this session were Uday Singh, director, MPAA; Ramesh Sippy, chairman, Sippy Films; Mahesh Bhatt, Vishesh Films; Ravi Kottakakarra, chairman, Kottakakarra Films; and Manoj Srivastava, CEO, Entertainment Society of Goa. The session also debated the forthcoming National Films Commission and debated upon the merits of some of its consideration. How will one window emerge, or will it just create an additional layer for getting approvals? The ground reality of shooting in India needs to be recognized as a local issue and problem, not something that can be ironed out sitting in New Delhi!

The first time awards recognising contribution of cinema to tourism growth witnessed the famous in the Hindi film industry come forward and receive the honours. Giving away the awards in four different segments were stalwarts like TP Aggarwal, president of IMPPA; Ramesh Sippy, Mahesh Bhatt and Shyam Benegal, noted film maker and chairman of MAMI. Among those who received the awards personally included Anurag Basu and Siddarth Roy Kapoor for Barfi as the best Hindi film shot on an Indian location; Ritesh Siddhwani for the award winning Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. The awards equally recognized the eminence of South Indian films in going aboard and chose as award winning some of the best films including Urmi, Ordinary and Dookadu, each of them memorable in popularising destinations.

The second day saw B2B meetings and some 70 film producers, directors and camera persons met up with the exhibitors for doing business.

At the end of the day, another successful edition that saw Cinemscapes become an important landmark event, also unique in its aspect of bringing tourism in the forefront of Indian cinema.

Individual exhibitors too made their mark. Delhi Tourism is on the anvil to become the single window for cinema shooting in the capital. U-Turn Tax Refund made interesting offers to help get refunds on time and help balance the economics of film shooting; Dubai and Thailand, among others, met with keen film makers and sold their destinations.

For further information, please contact priyaanka@crosssectionmedia.com

2011 Review

Cinema & Tourism: The need to connect the dots
Movies are perhaps, the best way of promoting a destination. Film tourism, is in fact, a growing phenomenon world over what with the tremendous growth of the entertainment industry and a big boost in travel sector.

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The Bhatt Brothers Get The GUILD Award for Promoting Cinema Tourism
Each year Cinemascapes honours one single contribution that furthers the cause of cinema tourism. This year, the honours went to Mahesh and Mukesh Bhatt for introducing the audience to varied locations.

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Destinations Calling Filmmakers
With several geographical and historical attractions, Gujarat has been used for many location shoots for Bollywood movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Refugee and Border. It provides shooting opportunities such as virgin beaches and stretches of white sand. The state backs these locations with good infrastructure allowing for easy transport of crew, equipment, cheap labour and accommodation.

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Summary of the 8 business sessions held
Session 1: Inaugural Session Highlights The Significance of a Correlation Between Tourism
and Entertainment
Session 2: The Need For A Film Tourism Policy
Session 3: What Makes Films A Success - How A Location Can Contribute?
Session 4: One Window Clearance
Session 5: Making A Budget For Outside Locations
Session 6: Locating & Locking In Success
Session 7: Location Tadka: The Advertisers’ Perspective
Session 8: Bhojpuri Cinema On Fastrack

2009 Review

Inauguration Brings Big Names in Bollywood
Producer Shekhar Kapur stated at the inauguration of Cinemascapes 2009, “Film making is an adventure that allows the producer to see the world and lets him delve into its finer details such as the culture and environment. 

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Sri Lanka plans to launch publicity campaign in India to attract film producers
Ravindra Randeniya, the veteran Sri Lankan actor, has worked in 140 films and won the national award for films three times, the best actor at Sri Lanka’s prestigious Saraswat Awards eight times and two lifetime achievement awards.

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Sasadhar Mukherjee felicitated
Ayan Mukherjee was the star at grandfather Sasadhar Mukerjee’s felicitation ceremony. The felicitation came shortly after the film industry pioneer’s 100th birth anniversary.

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