Australian film industry looks forward to Uttarakhand

As the Uttarakhand government sits idle on the pending demand for the uniform film policy, the Australia-India Council (AIC) and Australian film-makers have shown interest in promoting picturesque locales of the state.

Anupam Sharma, a filmmaker, who now lives in Australia, will organise a three-day Australian Film Festival (AFF) to be held in Dehradun in December.

Also, Dehradun is the only non-metro city where the screening of the Australian movies will take place apart from New Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

"Uttarakhand has stunning locations and a potential to attract film-makers across the globe. But the state lacks infrastructure and human resources," said Sharma, adding that the group will work towards upgrading the infrastructure.

Interestingly, this is the first time when the capital will see the filming of international films.

However, one such global film festival was held in 2011 to market Australian flicks and create a platform for the sharing of ideas and possibilities.

During the festival, Australian movie maker Baz Luhrmann who is also the Indian premier of the award-winning documentary on first woman IPS Kiran Bedi Yes, Madam Sir directed by another Australian Megan Doneman will be screened in Dehradun.

Given its rave reviews, Yes, Madam Sir is the most anticipated film of the festival.

Meanwhile, during the meeting with organisers of the film festival, chief minister Vijay Bahuguna said that the government will work towards promoting the state on the international arena.

"It's ironic that despite our repeated efforts, successive governments have failed to make any imprint. But a ray of hope now seems to appear," said Deepak Nagalia, a local movie buff.

The film festival has got support from strategic partner Destination New South Wales (NSW), Screen NSW, Screen Australia, and University of NSW.