FICCI Frames to launch market at 2012 edition

Organisers describe the FICCI Frames Market (FFM) as “a platform to create, buy, sell, finance, market and partner with entertainment content from all over the world”.

India’s leading film studios and distributors – including Eros, UTV, Reliance, Fox India and Viacom18 – are expected to attend the market and the organisers say they’ve also had a strong initial response from overseas buyers and sellers. Indian and international TV channels and animation studios are also expected to attend.

“The time has come to take Indian content to the next level,” said leading filmmaker Karan Johar who serves as co-chairman of the FICCI Entertainment Committee.

“Indian films now have garnered a lot of acceptance in regions previously unconventional for them. You can see more and more production of crossover and niche films which can cater to both Indian and foreign markets. Moreover, there is a huge talent pool of young filmmakers and entrepreneurs who are unable to visit international markets due to the lack of funds. FFM will be the right platform for them also.”

However Johar added that the event will also present an opportunity for international companies looking to enter the Indian market: “Our focus will be to get as much international participation as possible,” said Johar. “It will also be a market for foreign buyers, sellers, people looking for co-production, out-sourcing etc.”

The event will take place at Frames’ regular venue, the Renaissance hotel and conference centre in Powai in northern Mumbai.

FICCI Frames, which comprises seminars, workshops and networking events, attracts around 1,500 Indian delegates and more than 800 foreign delegate each year – past speakers have included News Corp’s James Murdoch, Fox chief Jim Gianopulos, former Viacom president Tom Freston and former Sony Pictures International Television chief Michael Grindon.

FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation that is active in around 40 sectors of the Indian economy.