The Hindu Business Line : Move for international film institute in Hyderabad

Hyderabad June 11 To promote upgradation of film technology and talent, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Andhra Pradesh State Council are planning to set up an international film institute here.

"Proposed to be set up predominantly with private investment, the institute would be affiliated to FICCI and work as a platform to encourage the entertainment industry in the South," Mr A.S. Gita Krishna, Convenor of the newly constituted FICCI taskforce on entertainment for 2007-09, told newspersons here on Monday.

The proposal had been sent to the State Government and other details including the investment were being worked out, he said.

The task force will organise `Frames South', a major conference involving all stakeholders in the film and entertainment industry soon. Plans are afoot to organise regular international and national film festivals involving the four southern States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the convenor said.

On the agenda for the taskforce, Mr Krishna said efforts would be on to make digital cinema popular in Andhra Pradesh. "Tamil Nadu has over 120 digital cinemas, there is much to be done here to promote digital cinema which will be qualitatively superior to the traditional projection system and economically more viable," he said.

While there were plenty of opportunities for Indian film technologists globally, those from the State were unable to take advantage of it because of poor academic qualifications and the taskforce would strive to create awareness on the need for basic educational qualifications, he added.

Mr Sudhir Sanghi, co-Chairman, FICCI, AP, said the growth of entertainment industry in India was phenomenal in the recent past.

"With almost number one position in the country in the number of films produced per annum, the industry in Andhra Pradesh needs special focus and our taskforce will address this need," he added.

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