The FAVC participated at its first market in Bollywood (since 2004) at the "Locations" 2009 Exhibition. "Locations" is small "boutique" style market at which exhibitors participate by invitation only. It brought under one roof, global local vendors and allied service representatives to interact with the Indian Film Industry. This year, film commissions, line production companies and tourism boards from Thailand, Brazil, Muscat, Israel, Poland, Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and India participated.

The visit gave the FAVC team an opportunity to meet prominent independent producers, locations brokers, production houses and studio representatives at the market. These included prominent players in the industry such as Yash Raj Films, Eros International, BR Films, Shrinagar Films, the Indian Film & Television Academy and Balaji Telefilms which produces many popular Hindi soaps.

The two day Exhibition was inaugurated by the celebrated Indian film Director David Dhawan and it targeted all leading Directors, Producers, Production, Production Companies and related people to witness and obtain first hand knowledge of the locations, facilities and assistance provided by many countries, including Fiji. The Fiji booth was visited by many renowed filmmakers who have expressed interest in filming on Fiji. Many are now actively looking for unexplored destinations waiting to enhance their frames and give them variety. "Locations" presented FAVC with the opportunity to convince and sell Fiji locations to a range of Indian filmmakers and allowed us to show them how it can be approached economically for an Indian film shoot, which given the present world scenario is very critical. Producers were interested in film specific incentives - tax rebates, subsidies, air fare support, etc. to an Indian film.

The highlight of the Show was an Awards Night. The organizers honored renowed directors at an Awards Night and some of the winners from different categories of the awards were:

1. Maximum Mileage to a foreign destination in a Hindi Film awarded to Director-Producer duo Sabbir Khan and Sajjid Nadiadwala presented by Ruumy Jafferi, Producer
2. Most aesthetic representation of a foreign destination in a Hindi Film won by Dir Kabir Khan and Ashish Singh, VP Production Yash Raj Films presented by Mr. Amol Gupte, Producer
3. Maximum Hindi film handled by a foreign line production Co.; Benetone Films, Thailand
4. Best new entrant to tourism through films: Polish Tourism Authority
5. Best incentives package for Indian film: Fiji Audio Visual Commission
6. Maximum Hindi films in a single foreign destination: Thailand

Indian films leverage tourism as people of Indian origin are settled worldwide. An interesting aspect of the Show was the presence of tourism promotion agencies at this event. Films have served as catalysts for tourism and tourism promotion agencies took advantage of this event to promote travel to their jurisdictions. Also, foreign shoots promote cultural exchange. Locations are therefore the backbone of the Indian film industry.

Figures show that the Indian outbound tourism market is the second fastest in the world, seeing an annual growth of 12% in the last 5 years.

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