Stage set for Ficci Frames 2002; Swaraj to inaugurate

Stage set for Ficci Frames 2002; Swaraj to inaugurate

FICCI2002

All is ready for the second edition of the annual global convention on the business of entertainment - Ficci Frames (Films Radio Audio-visuals Music Events and Shows) 2002, which kicks off tomorrow at the Renaissance Convention Centre, Powai, in Mumbai.

The convention, which runs through tomorrow and the day after, will be inaugurated by Union information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj. Adding considerable stature to the scale and scope of this year's event is the number of global media leaders who will be speaking during the various sessions.

The inaugural speech is by noted film producer and Ficci Entertainment Committee Chairman, Yash Chopra and will have Maharashtra chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh in attendance. The inaugural session will also feature a keynote address by James Murdoch, chairman & CEO, Star Group, and special address by noted film actor Kamal Haasan.

A special ceremony to honour Lata Mangeshkar and Dilip Kumar as living legends of the Indian entertainment industry will be one of the highlights of tomorrow's inauguration ceremony.

Some of the highlights of Frames 2002 are a demonstration on digital origination and exhibition and reports presented by Ficci's knowledge partners Arthur Anderson and Amarchand Mangaldas.

The digital demonstration, with contemporary examples, is to be held at IMAX, Wadala, Mumbai, tonight.

Arthur Anderson will present the third edition of its much-awaited report on the entertainment industry. Amarchand Mangaldas will present a report on the legal issues affecting all segments of the entertainment industry such as rationalisation of entertainment tax, corporatisation models, institutional finance, anti-piracy law, etc.

In all, Frames 2002 will witness 24 sessions.

Frames 2002 promises to have the largest ever gathering in India of some of the best national and international minds in the business of entertainment including an impressive list of 150 speakers from India and abroad. Some of the prominent speakers are James Murdoch, Dr Patrick Cross, MD, BBC World, Yoshinori Imai, director-general, NHK, Japan, Michael Connors, Sr. VP (Asia Pacific), Motion Pictures Association of America, the History Channel's Carl Meyer and Tech TV's Tom Grams.

In an attempt to bring value to the participants, a trading hub has been set up at Frames 2002 facilitating the business flow along with the set up at Frames 2002 facilitating the business flow along with exchange of knowledge, information and ideas.