The Indian entertainment industry got a fresh impetus with Italy partnering FICCI Frames 2007, a flagship event, for showcasing the growth in the Indian entertainment industry. In a show of confidence for a long term partnership between Italy and India, FICCI (represented by Dr Amit Mitra, Secretary General of FICCI, as the Formal Signatory and Mr Yash Chopra, Chairman FICCI Entertainment Committee, as the Honorary Signatory) & FILAS - Financial Investment Agency of the Region of Lazio - (represented by Mr. Stefano Turi, Director General of FILAS, as the Formal Signatory and Ms Giulia Rodano, Councillor for Culture, Entertainment and sport of Lazio Region, as the Honorary Signatory, signed an important MOU that promises to set new benchmarks in the Indo-Italy entertainment trade.

The MoU between FILAS and FICCI covers the following sectors: digital technologies and applications, multimedia, cinema production & post-production, animation, photography, music, and publishing.  The activities foreseen in it, are as follows:

-   Identify and promote opportunities for joint projects and  co-production arrangements in the cinematographic, audiovisual and media sectors through industry co-production and networking meetings;

-   Promote and reinforce the joint participation to the EU FWP (Framework Programmes) and other relevant EU and international financing schemes;

-   Investigate and identify financial resources (public and private)  in both countries, able to support joint innovation and industry projects;

-   Facilitate audiovisual co-production agreements amongst audiovisual  production companies from the two countries in order to favour the development of cinematographic and audiovisual industries in the two regions; 

-  facilitate participation in key media festivals, trade events and  conferences in each other's countries.

The Italian Minister of Communications, Mr. Paolo Gentiloni Silveri, led a high level delegation from Italy comprising of representatives from ICE, CONFINDUSTRIA, Region of Lazio, FILAS, FESTA DEL CINEMA DI ROMA, FILMITALIA - leading T.V. and commercial cinema producers, directors and actors, including the popular Hollywood actor, Giancarlo Giannini and leading Italian actress, Anna Galiena, multiplex exhibitors from ANICA and other important companies.

Among other important announcements, major events in Italy, including the presentation of Rome Film Festival, shall be exhibited at FICCI Frames. The Italian Gala Night (at Hotel Renaissance) sponsored by the Italian Trade Commission and Region of Lazio, where Oscar winning pianist, Maestro Nicola Piovani will perform, promises to be a highpoint of FICCI Frames 2007. He will perform renditions from his popular film soundtracks, and images from the movies will be screened, while he plays. 

Sourced From: Vaishnavi Corporate Communications Pvt Ltd