Uttarakhand- Film Industry Potential :

Uttarakhand – popularly known as the 'Land of Gods' is emerging as one of the best destinations for shooting films. The beautiful ambiance and pleasant weather had always appealed filmmakers, but after the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat met some of the renowned film personalities under 'Investor's Summit' in Mumbai, things changed for the better. CM Trivendra was appreciated for his initiative, which has changed the perspective of entire film fraternity towards Uttarakhand.

Key potential areas in state :

1. Uttarakhand has got a very bright potential for film production. To highlight the State as preferred destination of making movies, the film producers should be regularly invited and small film festivals should be organised.

2. Nature has blessed Uttarakhand with so many things. Everything related to nature, which a filmmaker wants to capture in the camera, is there in the state. After taking suggestions from the producers and directors, the government will soon approve the new film policy, thereby opening the door to many big filmmakers. For attracting more and more filmmakers, fees for shooting movies have been waived off. Moreover, if any filmmaker applies for shooting in the state, he gets permission within seven days. As a result, six big Bollywood films have been shot in the state in the last six months.

3. The environment has become conducive for film shooting in Uttarakhand  and this has been shown by the State receiving the award of being the ‘Most Film Friendly State’ during the national film festival recently. He suggested that new destinations for film shooting should be identified and infrastructure and other facilities should be provided there.

4. It is also suggested that efforts should be made to invite international film makers to Uttarakhand for film shooting so that the natural beauty of Uttarakhand is publicized around the world.

5. State government also made provision of Rs 1.5 crore for the films whose 75 percent shooting will be done in Uttarakhand, adding government want that if a filmmaker comes from Mumbai for shooting, he should not have to bring a big team of technicians, spot-boy etc.Also planning to provide such skilled technicians at the local level, for which we have started the Film Appreciation Course in Dehradun.

6. Cradled just under the Mussoorie Hills, Dehradun is perhaps the best venue for hosting international events, with the picturesque hills and deep valleys around it and climatic conditions that attract the connoisseur with moderate temperatures.The city hosted the fourth Dehradun International Film Festival that organized in September 2018.

Dehradun International Film Festival (DIFF) is a platform to explore or show new talent for anyone in Film Industry. It adds much more beauty and glamour to the film industry by presenting new talent. But the festival will mean much more than just films. There will be trips to explore the city of Dehradun, Yoga camps, local talent performing and local art and crafts on display. In addition, there will be competitions on poetry, and lyrics, there will be special 30-40 second audio-visuals on Directors cut, film promos, etc. which will make it imperative for acting schools, Film Institutes, and other communication institutes to participate with their stalls and other literature.This festival provides the youth, and young minds avenues for their talents and the future of Uttarakhand to showcase their talent and enter the cinematic beauty of our industry.

7. Uttarakhand is being aimed to be developed as high-end tourism and Bollywood-friendly state. When a film was shot, it charged INR 10,000 a day from the film shooting team. Govt. revoked the policy of charging fee of INR 10,000. They came to Uttarakhand and the entire unit had booked hotels for 65 days. They were adding to our revenue. It was prudent to waive off the shooting fee. In addition to the exposure provided through such films, there are many ancillary gains to the destination like income generation, investment, job creation etc. which contribute to the overall economic development of the destination.

 Uttarakhand Film Policy Highlights :

•  Single Window Clearance for Shooting in Uttarakhand.
• Uttarakhand Govt. exempt the Shooting Fees on films, which are being made in Uttarakhand.
• 25 Lakh Subsidy for Regional Languages Films of the state of Uttarakhand, if the film is processed within the State .
• 1.5 Core Subsidy for Hindi Film makers, if 75% of the Shooting is done in Uttarakhand.
• State Govt. decided that GMVN & KMVN (Tourism Deptt.) Guest Houses give 50% Discounts for Film makers during the Shooting Time. Government of Uttarakhand UFDC Uttarakhand- Film Policy

 Establishment of film business :

• State will promote such kind of infrastructure in private sector and joint ventures initiatives.
• Generally required infrastructure to develop the film industry may be classified in following category – Infrastructure for shooting spots development/ film making – Studios/ labs/ instruments. – Investment/ land selection.
• Development of shooting locations/ infrastructure for film making.
•  State Government will cooperate in establishing film city. Land will be provided on industrial rates. Active contribution will be ensured to create helping infrastructure. Police station, fire-brigade centre, connected roads and outer water drainage etc. physical infrastructures will be develop through “Film Development Fund” or any other head decided by State Government.