The UK Film Council, supported by UK Trade and Investment, (UKTI) is taking the first ever UK export delegation to Mumbai from 16-21 February to meet with Mumbai companies and attend the FICCI Frames Entertainment Conference from 16-19 February.

It is also organising a seminar at Frames on co-production between the UK and India, making best use of the new treaty, and promoting the UK’s strength within international film sales.

The Frames Entertainment Conference, which is organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), brings 1800 Indian and 800 foreign delegates from across the media and entertainment industries together in Mumbai.

Sarah McKenzie, the UK Film Council’s Senior Executive for Export Development said: “The global success of Slumdog Millionaire shows what can be achieved when UK and Indian filmmakers collaborate on projects. The export delegation to India should help more UK businesses develop closer links with India, a market which is expanding all the time.”

A PriceWaterhouseCoopers report found that in 2007, the Indian entertainment and media industry grew by 17% reaching an estimated size of Rs. 513 billion up from Rs. 438 billion in 2006. In the last four years (2004-2007) the Indian film industry performed well, growing by 17%. Box office revenue reached Rs. 72 billion in 2007, a 12% increase on 2006.

The UK Film Council is clearly trying to take advantage of the interest generated on the back of the success of Slumdog Millionaire. With the UK India co-production treaty now in place, it is hoped the British film industry will seize opportunities to develop closer working relationships with the Indian industry.