Government support is key to the growth of any industry and the Indian animation industry surely would be greatly boosted if the powers that be could be convinced of its potential.

Animation comes under the Information & Broadcasting ministry. Compared to India's booming Television & Film industry, animation is very small, but the growth potential and the opportunity to be a prominent player in the global animation scenario is huge.

After a lot of unaided struggle and efforts, Indian animation studios have today begun delivering International projects on time, boasting of world class quality. Issues which require Government support like subsidies, co-production treaties, animation education are of prime concern and when addressed will serve as a catalyst to speedy growth.

While in Mumbai to attend the Indiantelevision.com & MPA organised India Television Summit 2005, the I&B ministry secretary S K Arora spent 10 minutes of his precious time with Animation 'xpress Editor Anand Gurnani and gave his take on the following...

On Doordarshan co-production with animation studios
Doordarshan is just one institution under my ministry, as regards its editorial policy, that only DD can answer, you need to talk to DD for that.

Overall, DD's policy is to produce educative and entertaining content which is commercially viable. They do invite producers for specific programmes for North East and J&K.

Usually individuals come up with their own ideas and approach DD with their proposals. If the content fits in, then DD approves. The animation studios have to take the initiative and approach the pubcaster with their proposals. Also sometimes, certain kinds of shows require specific slots and at times the slots required for an animated show may be booked for a while and then the studio would have to wait.

On Co-production treaties with other countries
As of now we have an old co-production treaty with France which is 20 years old and has not been explored very well but we are in talks with the French to reactivate it. A recent co-production treaty is the one which we signed with the Italian government which is now effective. They are sending a delegation to the Film Festival at Goa and producers can avail of this opportunity to network.

Another co production we were planning to sign was the Indo-British one which would have been signed while British PM Tony Blair was in India. It didn't happen then but should be signed within the next few months.

Amongst other co-production treaties that we are planning include Indo-German treaty which is almost ready and Indo-China... the Chinese are especially keen on films and Bollywood. Also being planned are Indo-Japanese, Indo-Brazillian, Indo-Canadian and Indo-Dutch treaties and some of them would be done shortly.

With Co-productions, financing and costs would be shared by the partner country. Also India is gradually getting into institutional finance and you have the advantage of foriegn funding too.

On Subsidies
No subsidies to the animation and film sector, not on the anvil either. The film & TV business is thriving and there is no need for subsidies.

On Government involvement in Animation education
Education is vital and with the kind of specialised knowledge required for animation and its corollary that is gaming, we are willing to take up the cause of animation education with the HRD & IT ministry and will be happy to support efforts in this direction. The IT ministry would be happy too.

In fact just recently a gaming delegation met me and I told them that we will be supportive of their cause and also push it to the other ministries.

But there is also this reality that one has to consider that even though animation education really requires a boost in India, where would the animation faculty come from? Experienced faculty are required to teach animation and talented animators find it more remunaritive to work in production rather than as faculty.

We need to sit together and discuss the nitty gritties of this with the HRD & IT ministry. We can see whether a program can be started at IIIT in Hyderabad. We will try and explore possibilities, Training is certainly important.