Bollywood OKs Deal For Hollywood Film Shoots
LOS ANGELES (CBS) — Hollywood and Bollywood entered into a marriage of sorts on Wednesday, with officials from both famed film industries signing a pact aimed at strengthening motion picture production, distribution and commercial cooperation.
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The agreement between Hollywood and the Indian film industries also called for the creation of a Los Angeles-India Film Council to increase Indian film production in the Southland.
"This declaration reinforces our city's commitment to attracting international production," said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who attended the signing ceremony at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. "In the past year, we have already seen Hindi movies such as `My Name is Khan' and `Kites' filmed in Los Angeles, and we enthusiastically welcome further Indian production in Los Angeles."
The agreement was signed in conjunction with a two-day summit involving Hindi film officials, Hollywood studios and other film companies — all focused on economic development and collaboration.
"Our vibrant communities share many of the same goals and concerns," said Bob Pisano, president and interim CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America. "The numerous co-productions with Indian studios over the past several years are evidence of a growing bond between our two industries. Today's action is an important step toward furthering that growth."
Hindi producer Bobby Bedi said the agreement is aimed at "sharing ideas and best practices on domestic and international film production."
"Hollywood and Bollywood are two industries that are economically robust and represent significant economic and cultural interests of their respective countries," he said.
In March, the Hollywood and Bollywood communities joined together to create the Alliance Against Copyright Theft, a content-protection coalition based in India.
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