Parliament Question: Export Promotion through Film Festivals

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *366 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026 EXPORT PROMOTION THROUGH FILM FESTIVALS *366: SHRI THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND: Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state: a) whether the Government has allocated funds under Plan Scheme titled 'Export Promotion through Film Festivals' and if so, the details thereof; b) whether the Government has increased incentives for foreign film production in the country to 40 per cent of expenses with a cap of up to Rs. 30 crore per project and if so, the details thereof; and c) whether the Government has provided funds to conduct International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and International Film Festival at Delhi and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT AS REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (c) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*366 FOR REPLY ON 18.03.2026 (a) to (c): There is no scheme named “Export Promotion through Film Festivals”. However, the Government promotes Indian cinema and facilitates international collaborations through Development, Communication & Dissemination of Filmic Content (DCDFC) Scheme. Further, financial support under DCDFC scheme is provided for participation in major international film festivals, for organizing film festivals in India, National Film Heritage Mission (NFHM) and promotion of Indian cinema through Indian Missions to support film-related promotional activities and showcasing of Indian cinema internationally. At the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on 20 November 2023, the Government announced a major revision to the scheme and enhanced the incentives for encouraging film production by international producers in India to 40 percent of the expenses that were earlier limited to 30 percent. The revised incentives include: 1. 30% base reimbursement, 2. 5% bonus for employing at least 15% Indian manpower, and 3. 5% bonus for Significant Indian Content (SIC). Further, the maximum incentive cap per project was also enhanced to ₹30 crore per project from ₹2.5 crore per project. To promote and synergize the Indian Film Industry at the International level, the Government organizes the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) every year from 20th -28th November in collaboration with the Government of Goa. For the 56th edition of IFFI, 2025, the Government has provided Rs. 39.43 Cr. under the Development, Communication & Dissemination of Filmic Content Scheme (DCDFC). Further, no funds were provided for International Film Festival at Delhi. ***