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Sikkim is all set to host the Global Cinema Festival 2020 – a first-of-its-kind film festival in Sikkim - from February 28 to March 1, 2020, in the state capital, Gangtok. The initiative by the present state government is well-placed to encourage the film industry in the state and promote film tourism.

The state government’s Department of Information and Public Relations (IPR), Department of Commerce and Industry, Sikkim Tourism Development Corporation Limited and Film Federation of India (FFI) are collaborating for organising this festival.

Mrinalini Shrivastava, IPS, Special Secretary, Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Sikkim and Managing Director, Temi Tea who is also one of the organisers of the film festival, told BE “It is a common perception about Sikkim that the state is based on the tourism industry. Going beyond this, the Global Cinema Festival 2020 will try to take a move towards showing Sikkim’s potential and availability of resources for the film andfashion industry. The Department of MSME has funded tobuild Sikkim’s first creative studio. This will initially produce2D and 3D films and will look forward for VFX technologies to attract more film producers.”The film festival is to be inaugurated by Prem Singh Tamang,Chief Minister of Sikkim. Firdausul Hasan, President, FFI, willalso be present in the inauguration. Noted Bollywood cinematographer Binod Pradhan will be awarded the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the festival. Azerbaijan will be the focus country for this festival.

According to the organisers, Sikkim with its abundance of natural beauty will be promoted as a film shooting destination which will also provide a fillip to the state’s tourism industry The state government is planning on a ‘Film Facilitation Office’ to promote the state as a preferred location for the entertainment industry. The government is trying to attract various national and regional production houses to shoot at differentlocations within the state. The focus of the present governmentto create a pool of trained professionals will also add to thestate’s attempt to come out as a preferred destination for thenational entertainment industry. The film festival will also servethe purpose of showcasing the state government’s focus ondeveloping Sikkim as a major destination for the film industry.  

The technical and financial support given to the youngsters by the present government will not only enhance the entertainment industry but will also be one step more towards collaborating with online platforms like Netflix. Sikkim has invested to make an animation centre. That centre will work for projects of Cartoon Network and Sony.