Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and Abhinav Kashyap to tap into Australian film industry

At the end of the inaugural Australian Film Festival and Film Seminars, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures has formally announced that through Abhinav's film it will formally start collaborations with Australia with long term aims to utilize funding and grants from Australia and investment into Indo Australian projects. Viacom 18 Motion Pictures was a key industry supporter for An Australian Film Initiative's festival in Mumbai.

Viacom 18 Motion Pictures' forthcoming film with Abhinav Kashyap as director, and tentatively titled Project 18, will be principally shot in Australia and structured to receive maximum benefits from Australia. Australia's award winning production company Temple will be the Australian production company for Viacom 18 Motion Pictures for this and other slate of projects.

From Australia, renowned Australian director Bill Bennett's has decided to film his next thriller completely in India. Famous for his films like (Kiss or Kill, Two If By Sea (Sandra Bullock) among others Bill is producing his film with Anupam Sharma, Sydney based film maker and Australia's leading expert on Indian cinema

AAFI's objective by supporting these two pioneering announcements is to provide growth impetus to film trade between the two great countries and provide both film makers the best facilities in either country. Viacom18 Motion Pictures has partnered the AAFI to support this initiative and is obviously thrilled that they are the first corporate from India to trigger a long term relationship with Australian film industry for collaboration and coproduction through Abhinav's film. After 2010's biggest hit 'Dabanng', Abhinav's film with Viacom18 Motion Pictures is his next directorial venture and he is presently busy scripting the same. The blockbuster director is obviously ecstatic after hearing this news:

Speaking at the function Abhinav said "I am extremely delighted and honored that my Project 18 is being shot in Australia which provides me rich spectrum of locations, crew, and other benefits.. Cinema has a huge potential I am sure with Project 18 we will strike a Chord. Indian Cinema is diverse and rich in its own way to collaborate with another country to encourage knowledge and promote harmony. It is a commendable initiative which will be a huge milestone in Indian Cinema. I am glad Viacom 18 Motion Pictures & Temple have collaborated on Project 18.

Pleased with a good turnout at his retrospective at the film festival and announcing his film Bill Bennett said "I am excited to direct a film in India, a country which known for its diverse culture and heritage. I feel the reason why Indian Cinema is reaching new heights every passing day is because the films made in India have a different vision, a different storytelling method and a different mindset. I have come to India with an aim to give the global audience not just a film but an experience. I also welcome Viacom's decision to bring Abhinav's film to Australia. We will ensure that he has a warm welcome in our country.

Vikram Malhotra, COO Viacom 18 Motion Pictures, "Viacom18 Motion Pictures is proud to partner with Temple in developing co-operation between India and Australia in the film production sphere. We are delighted that our forthcoming film, directed by the talented Abhinav Kashyap, will benefit from an extremely film friendly Australia. I am confident that Abhinav, who set the box office ablaze with his first film in 2010, will create a worthy film that will win the hearts of millions of fans in both countries. I look forward to working closely with AAFI in the course of developing stronger links with Australia

Thanking the Australian government and Viacom 18 Motion Pictures for their support for the festival and AAFI Anupam Sharma said "Viacom 18 Motion Pictures decision to meaningfully engage with the Australian film industry starts a new vibrant chapter in Indo Australian film links. It is encouraging to learn that Viacom 18 Motion Pictures is not "just' filming their projects in India but more importantly working with a long term view of collaborations and coproduction's with Australia. I am sure that Viacom 18 Motion Pictures will benefit from all the benefits/grants/ and rebates Australia has to offer"

Festival Co Director and Veteran film critic Peter Castaldi excitedly informed the media from Mumbai airport that "He is excited at the developments after the first festival which will open up new distribution avenues and increased benefits for both films. This is more than what I had expected from the first film festival and our initiative"

Indian Advisor, AFI, Shahnaab Alam concluded at the launch by stating that "This occasion is a very big step towards strong and meaningful collaborations between two very dynamic film industries, which already have a very strong presence in the global cinema. With Bill Bennett coming to India to shoot his film and Abhinav Kashyap heading towards Australia, Indo-Australian collaborative efforts is being endorsed by the very top layer of the film fraternity in both the countries. Moreover, the decision by both the Directors to shoot their respective films in each other's countries is completely dictated by a strong integration of the local flavour and culture in their scripts."

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