Indo-UK film co-production treaty rolls with ´London Dreams´

- Planet Bollywood Special Correspondant           Let us know what you think about this story

Indian and British filmmakers are expected to co- produce 10 new movies over the next two years as a bilateral film treaty providing jobs, entertainment and cultural benefits to two of the world's largest cinema-going nations.

"After the US, the British and the Indian film industries are arguably the two greatest in the world. The range of benefits we are offering through the treaty aims to bring our industries closer together -- and I am confident that Indian filmmakers will want to take up the offer," said UK Film Minister Barbara Follett, while launching first the co-production on the sets of Shah's "London Dreams" yesterday.

Films made under the UK-Indian co-production treaty will benefit from possible funding from the UK Film Council, support to help them sell their films at international festivals and increased access to EU markets and TV sales, said Follett.

The treaty allows co-produced films to bypass the UK cultural test to qualify for tax relief.

The treaty will also indirectly support a range of businesses, including British-Indian suppliers which support filmmakers with anything from costumes to caterers, British- Indian owned cinemas who are likely to show the films and the UK tourist industry.

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