There have been confirmed reports from Industry sources that the animation studios are planning to renew their lobbying efforts with the Government. Studio heads who had visited the recently held TV Korea show in Delhi had a private meeting where issues such as renewed lobbying were discussed. Amongst the other plans is to formally register an animation association which has been formed since quite a while now.
Speaking to Animation ‘xpress, Moving Picture Company CEO Ramesh Sharma said, “The basic issue is to have the government formulate policies which will help develop the growth of animation in India. This can come in many forms such as
– Down linking policies which will give incentives to channels to promote local animation programmes (this can be made mandatory or voluntary)
– Signing of Audio Visual co-production treaties with UK, Canada, Korea and EU countries
– Calling for a meeting under the aegis of the Information Broadcasting Ministry of all the stake holders (channels, production houses, vendors, bureaucrats and policy formulators) to discuss issues which concern the animation industry.- including training of animators”
“Today all major animation serials, feature films are international co-productions between many countries for instances France, Germany, UK and Canada or Korea, Canada, France etc etc If we sign these treaties- we can become part of this co-production linkups. Please keep in mind that most of these countries give subsidies and they can be made available only if they co-produce with countries that have signed the treaties.” he further added.
Other animation professionals and studio heads including Ashish Kulkarni, Escotoonz’ Praful Gade and LA VPL’s Ashish Maan confirmed that there was a meeting held to the effect but added that the plans were in their very initial stages and would take a little more time before things could be announced and mechanisms mobilised.