Indian Producers Guild, USIBA Collaborate for AFM

LOS ANGELES, October 17: In an effort to capitalize on the
recent growth in the global distribution of Indian content, the Indian Film and
Television Producers Guild will actively participate in the AFM this year under
the National Umbrella Program with its American associate, USIBA (U.S. India
Business Alliance).

The USIBA has announced that this year’s AFM, which will
take place in Santa Monica beginning October 31, will see an unprecedented
level of participation from Indian content providers. Companies such as UTV,
Percept, Mukta, Ultra, Kaleidoscope, Time Broadband and Nirvana Motion Pictures
are among those already confirmed to participate.

USIBA and the guild are working together to help the
entertainment sectors of the two countries leverage their inherent strengths
and establish long-term relationships. The USIBA serves as an interface between
governments and businesses in the U.S. and India, and represents the concerns
and issues of the U.S.—India trade community to decision makers in both
countries.

“We are very excited by the guild’s participation at AFM
2007,” said Sanjay Puri, the president of USIBA. “The media and entertainment
sector is a vital part of India’s success story. American Film Market is a
vital global marketplace for the industry and we will be seeing Indian firms
actively participating more every year.”

“The importance and potential of AFM was perhaps not being
properly tapped by Indian content providers,” said Ronnie Screwvala, the CEO of
UTV and president of the guild. “The guild’s initiative in collaboration with
USIBA for this year’s AFM will surely be an eye-opener for good things ahead.”

—By Ned Berke