Feasibility Study of an International Film Festival for Fiji

25 November 2009

The Fiji Audio Visual Commission (FAVC) was established by Government to promote and develop the audiovisual industry in Fiji. It aims to promote and develop the audio-visual industry into a flourishing, culturally diverse, competitive and commercially viable industry where the local culture and way of life are promoted and developed, and where the people of Fiji have a central role in the industry. The Commission's focus initially is on promoting film and TV productions in Fiji, as this segment of the industry will give Fiji maximum exposure and it is for this reason, amongst others, that the FAVC has concentrated its efforts in promoting Fiji as a world-class production location to overseas film producers.

One of the activities that the FAVC is looking at hosting in the near future is an International Film Festival. The aim of the International Film Festival will be to attract moviegoers not only locally, but also from all areas of the South Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand and further a field. It will help attract more visitors to Fiji and is expected to extend the peak season for tourist arrivals. The Festival will aim to be instrumental in raising the profile of Fiji as a country to visit and with whom to do business, and should be a mix of entertainment, lively events, educational programming and seminars, inspiring movies, and meaningful community outreach. Government has announced a 200 per cent tax deduction for potential sponsors. The study should therefore address all these issues in the context of its viability.

The scope of the Study should consider, amongst other things:

1. Format of the Film Festival
2. Content
3. Linkage to other sectors/industries
4. Advantages
5. Theme
6. Timing/Timeline
7. Funding Considerations
8. Participants

Individuals/organizations interested in conducting this study are invited to submit proposals (together with costs) to the Chief Executive Officer, Fiji Audio Visual Comission, GPO Box 18080, Suva; or hand deliver to the FAVC, Ground Floor, Civic House, Suva by 11 December, 2009. For more information, please contact Florence Swamy on Phone # 330 6662 or email: fswamy@fijiaudiovisual.org.fj.