THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING (SMT. SUSHMA SWARAJ)
(a) According to information received from Indian Film Exporters Association, the
number of Indian films exported over the last three years and the foreign exchange
earned from the export of films during the last three years is as follows:
Year No. of films exported Foreign exchange earned from films in Rs.
1999-2000 190 250 crores
2000-2001 207 450 crores
2001-2002 210 900 crores+ (+includes figures for animation exports)
(b) & (c) In order to promote the export of Indian films, several initiatives have been
taken up by the Government.
(i) The Government conferred `industry` status on the films sector with the
broad objective of facilitating its all round development.
(ii) During the years 2001and 2002, an Indian Pavilion was set up in the
Cannes Film market to attract attention and interest in Indian Cinema in
which a large number of Indian film companies participated.
(iii) During June 2001, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting led a 35-
member delegation from the Indian Entertainment Industry to USA and
Japan to show case internationally the achievements and potential of the
Indian Entertainment Industry and to explore fresh avenues for business
development.
(iv) A large delegation of Indian Film Exporters led by the National Film
Development Corporation Ltd. participated in the film market in Hong
Kong, which took place in June 2002.
(v) A package of 30 Indian films called `Indian Summer` was shown as part of
the prestigious Locarno International Film Festival held in Switzerland in
August 2002.
(vi) This year along with the International Film Festival of India a Film Bazaar
was set up by the Government to provide a platform for interaction
between Indian film industry and international buyers and sellers.
(vii) A special Plan scheme has been included in the 10th Plan, the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting has been allocated a budget of Rs, 5 crores
to participate in film markets in India and abroad.
(viii) The Directorate of Film Festivals through the Cultural Exchange
Programmes and participation in various film festivals plays an important
role in increasing the visibility of Indian films abroad. The increased
visibility translates into greater demand for Indian films and promotes
export earnings.
(d) and (e) China is a potential market for Indian films. The premier of the film
Lagaan is to be held shortly in China and this is to be accompanied by an exhibition
of Indian film posters, which traces the history of Indian cinema from the silent era to
the present time. There was also Chinese representation at the recently held Film
Bazaar in New Delhi, where an interest in showing Indian films on China`s TV was
evinced.
