| MUMBAI:
The convention for the business of entertainment Frames takes place in Mumbai
from 22-24 March. One session will look at Financing Options for Indian Entertainment
industry. The Indian entertainment industry is one of the fastest growing
sectors recording a growth rate of 18-20 per cent each year. How do the investors
and the financial community view this sector? What will be the various financing
options that could be made available to this sector.
Seeking to provide
answers are JP Morgan MD Vedika Bhandarkar, HSBC Securities (USA) global sector
head for media and entertainment Sandeep Pahwa, Carlyle Asia Investment Advisors
MD Rajeev Gupta, Enam Financial Consultants partner and MD Munesh Khanna, GW Capital
partner Vikram Narula and Waygate Capital MD Rajesh Jog. On 23 March there will
be a plenary session on Emerging revenue options for the Indian Entertainment
Industry. Indian cinema is still less than one per cent of worldwide movie
revenues. Digital distribution of content provides unprecedented and timely reach
to consumers of Indian content in markets, which are non-traditional clusters.
New markets, better distribution and broadband at home open up significant opportunities
for digital distribution of movie and music content with the enhanced security
of content protection and advanced payment mechanism.
The session will
be moderated by Nasscom president Kiran Karnik. The opening address will be given
by Kamal Haasan who will dwell on The Interplay of Technology and Entertainment.
Intel will make a presentation. Another plenary session will look at the
Marketing & Distribution of Films: The Global Perspective. How is it
that a global product is communicated locally keeping in mind the specifics of
that particular region.
The session will be moderated by UTV chairman
Ronnie Screwvala. The speakers include Buena Vista International president Mark
Zoradi. He will deal with the challenges in marketing a film in different countries
and across various regions. Hollywood has found India a tough nut to crack as
it is faced with an audience who is loyal towards Indian cinema. Hollywood accounts
for around seven to eight per cent to total film revenues in India. How can Universal,
Paramount and other Hollywood studios increase revenues in India? Meanwhile
Indian filmmakers are looking at how they can tap the overseas market better.
Looking to tackle these two issues is United International Pictures chairman and
CEO Stewart Till who also serves as chairman of the UK Film Council. Also
Read Animation
experts to look at India's role in this field at Frames
Frames
to look at cinema exhibition business in India Viacom
CEO Tom Freston to deliver valedictory address at Frames Frames
to look at the future of the print media | 
