U.K India co-production treaty of films explained
We will see the results of the UK-India Film Co-Production Treaty in 2009 when producers are finally able to claim the benefits of this much talked-about agreement. On a positive note, the treaty has started evoking interest from Indian film producers to shoot in the UK. Here's a guide to the treaty: Read more »
India has only 12 screens per million compared to 117 in the U.S
The system of distributing feature films in India has changed the way films are produced. A major development is the steady growth of multiplexes—at about 700 screens out of India’s estimated total screen count of about 13,000—which is challenging traditional models of distribution while inspiring a new mindset in film production, writes Nyay Bhushan of The Hollywood Reporter. Read more »
Gurinder Chadha's latest movie is a comic caper on Indian marriages
Gurinder Chadha, who created a sensation as well as trend with her film 'Bend It Like Beckham', is turning her attention from football and thongs to Indian arranged marriages. Her new film is a chiller! Read more »
Filmed in India, banned in Pakistan..?
A new debate over the screening of Indian films in Pakistan has confused the film community. Who decides, and on what basis, which Indian film can be allowed to distribute in the Pakistani cinema halls? Is it the star power/content of the film or the origin of the film? Or, perhaps the land where the film was shot determines its screening future in Pakistan. Shockingly, it's the Indian land as well as the Indian connection! Pakistani exhibitors, whose survival depends on Bollywood, are demanding an explanation from their rulers. Read more »
'Slumdog Millionaire' with Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan and AR Rahman creates buzz
'Slumdog Millionaire', based on Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup's debut novel 'Q and A' and directed by Danny Boyle of Trainspotting (1996) fame, will close the 52nd London Film Festival (15-30 October, 2008). It was premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (September 4 – 11, 2008). Read more »
Hollywood's Highest Paid Heroines @$15 million per film
LA- California (USA). There was a time when Julia Roberts reportedly charged $20 million per film after the success of 'Pretty Woman'. But those were the days. Move over baby. Oscar winner Angelina Jolie has become the highest-earning female star in Hollywood, but she is still behind the Julia Roberts benmark as pay checks have slumped in 2008. Jolie, 33, earned $15m for the action movie 'Wanted' this year, and could make $20m in a possible sequel, according to Hollywood Reporter. Read more »
New Germany and France film fund of $376,000 from 2009
Germany and France are considered to be the best friends in the EU community. Now they are going to launch a $376,000 (Euros 300,000) co-development fund from 2009. The news was announced at this year's Franco-German Film Rendez-Vous in Hamburg. 300 German and French producers, distributors and film funders attended the three-day annual event which alternates between France and Germany Read more »
Bhatt: Indian film corporate honchos have no clue about movies
As India sees an unprecedented growth in the entertainment sector, one of the fastest in the world, old-fashioned film producers are being replaced by Hollywood-style studios and corporates, sometimes, headed by executives who, according to India's veteran as well as successful film-maker Mahesh Bhatt, "have no clues about movies." Read on, there's more to come. India's most famous film columnist Shobha De, commenting on the box-office failure of a multi-starrer 500 million rupee (One US dollar= appx 48 rupees) film 'Drona,' says: There are times when one wonders about the people in Bollywood who throw away serious money on what can only be called movie junk. Read more »
Let's make a short film!
A number of Shorts Film Festivals are coming up. India-EU Film Initiative believes in providing the necessary tools and training to those who are new to film-making. Before you embark on a film career we suggest why don't you read the following feature on how to make good shorts. To start with, what should be the duration of a short film? Read more »
Spielberg and Ambani deal could change the face of Indian film industry
After months of negotiations, Anil Ambani's Reliance Entertainment of India and DreamWorks SKG, promoted by legendary film-maker Steven Spielberg, are about to clinch a deal to set up a new film company, according to various media reports. The deal will allow Spielberg and others to split from Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures as they need about US$1.7 billion for the new cinema outfit. Reliance Entertainment, according to reports, will invest $500 million to $600 million in the new company. Read more »