India and Japan Agreed to Expand Co-Operation in Production of Animation Films

India and Japan on 12 September 2013 agreed to expand co-operation in the films sector particularly in co-production of animation films. The agreement between India and Japan was signed by the Minister for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari and visiting Japanese Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Toshimitsu Motegi in New Delhi.

Major highlights of the Agreement

• The two countries agreed to form a Joint Working Group in order to tap the huge business potential in the co-production of films and animation, skill development, exchange programs between training institutes and such other areas which are mutually beneficial to both sides.
• During the meeting, Manish Tewari extended the invitation for Japanese partnership in setting up of the proposed National Centre for Excellence in Animation, Gaming and Special Effects (NCOE) in Mohali, Punjab.
• At the same time, the Japanese expertise was welcomed for developing special training courses at the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and the Satyajit Ray Film and TV Institute (SRFTII), Kolkata.
• It was decided during the meeting that Japan would be the Focus Country in the International Film Festival of India to be held in Goa this year. For this purpose, personal invitation to the Japanese Minister to attend IFFI, 2013 was extended.
• As a part of the beginning, co-production of films, particularly animation films has already been started.
• Joint Working Group in context with this agreement would be established in the near future.