MAURITIUS FILM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MFDC) 25yrs Silver Jubilee 1986-2011 Table of Contents ¬ Message from Minister of Arts and Culture 02 ¬ Message from Chairman, Mauritius Film Development Corporation 03 ¬ Message from General Manager, Mauritius Film Development Corporation 04 ¬ Appreciations from Stakeholders 05 ¬ Statutory Objectives and Regulations of MFDC 07 ¬ Vision and Mission of MFDC 09 1.0 Film Festivals 10 2.0 Cinema Mobile 14 3.0 Capacity Building in the film sector 15 4.0 Types of jobs in the film sector 17 CELEBRATIONS OF SILVER JUBILEE 20 5.0 Co- productions 22 6.0 Production of Corporate Film 23 7.0 Promotion of local productions 24 8.0 Workshops 31 9.0 Extra curricular activities in Schools 33 10.0 Film framework 34 11.0 Statistics - films shot in Mauritius 35 12.0 Other Activities 38 - Award Ceremonies - Participation in Float Defilé - 12 March 2011 13.0 Membership 40 02 Message from Chairman Mauritius Film Development Corporation It is my privilege and pleasure to be presiding over an institution which has reached a milestone in its history. 25 years ago, the Mauritius Film Development Corporation was set up by the government to provide the institutional framework for the development of the film industry in Mauritius. During this time, the institution has grown to become the strategic interface for film in the country, endeavouring to fulfill its three-pronged mission of acting as a 'One-Stop-Shop', providing production assistance, and nurturing local talent. Our aim throughout has been to create an enabling environment for the development of a vibrant local film industry as well as to market Mauritius as a leading destination for foreign filmmakers through various international road shows and exhibitions. The fact that we have by and large succeeded in attracting big production houses from Bollywood and Europe – along with marquee film stars such as Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Gerard Depardieu, among others – bear testimony to the success of our undertakings. Cognizant of the need to nurture capabilities from within our shores, the MFDC has also launched a professional training programme for aspiring artists and filmmakers. The Annual Mauritian Short Film Competition and the Mobile Phone Film Competition have further provided a much-needed outlet for local talent. Moreover, the regular film festivals sponsored by the corporation have proven to be immensely popular with the Mauritian public. As a maturing institution, the MFDC constantly strives for the development of the film industry in Mauritius with the view of making an even more significant contribution to the economy. While grappling with the numerous challenges of an increasingly globalized and competitive world, we will continue to accentuate our competitive advantages and address as best we can the impediments to growth with the primary objective of harnessing the attendant gains of the industry's success. Christian NAYNA Chairman 03 Message from General Manager Mauritius Film Development Corporation The Mauritius Film Development Corporation stands proud to be celebrating this year its silver jubilee and can boast of having seriously pursued its vision and mission since its inception with a view to give a boost to the local film industry and to promote Mauritius as a destination of excellence for film makers around the globe. The MFDC has over the years, under the leadership of several managers, steadily walked the path of success in its many endeavours to fulfil its obligations and today it is a matter of great pride and honour for me to have been given the opportunity to drive the organisation further in its quest to give a service of excellence within parameters fixed by the MFDC ACT. I would like to seize the opportunity on this memorable day to pay tribute to all the employees of the organisation who usually go the extra mile in the delivery of their duties. Since I took office in March 2007, I have been engaged in several projects which I believe were imperative to further facilitate the local film industry in its stride to roll off the ramp. Among numerous initiatives taken by the Corporation, in collaboration with the Mahatma Gandhi Institute, was the development of a programme for capacity Building in the Film Sector. Several training courses were organised in Acting Essentials Level I, II and III and Scriptwriting Essentials Level 1. Certificates were awarded by the prestigious learning institution, the Mahatma Gandhi Institute. The Corporation also conducted a course in Film Direction leading to an attendance certificate. Several other training courses are in the pipeline. One more recent initiative was to secure membership of the World prestigious Association known as “Association of Film Commissioners International” (AFCI) which regroups over 330 film commissions. Membership to AFCI will give Mauritius tremendous visibility within the world film production community and will we hope attract more film makers to shoot in the country. The Corporation has nearly completed procedures to obtain ISO 9001:2008 which will underline the organisation's commitment to provide quality and efficient service. With twenty five years behind us now, present needs press for the corporation to have its own locations and we are contemplating to build our headquarters which we hope will soon be a reality as soon as necessary funds are available. I would like to reiterate my gratitude to all members of the staff who have always acted in the best interest of the corporation. A special thanks to the Ministers who have been responsible for the Corporation from 2007 todate, the MFDC Chairman and all members of the Board for their continued support and guidance. N. Ramyead (Mrs) General Manager 04 Mauritius Film Development Corporation Appreciations from Stakeholders 1. Thank you very much in helping us putting by the MFDC made this a successful and this film together. The Kellogg's Film is finished memorable shoot and I look forward to returning now, the clients and the advertising agency are to Mauritius and working with you again in the very happy about the result. future. You at the MFDC were a big help and made My best wishes. us proud about Mauritius. You always helped us in the highest professional way and we appreciated Kevin Harris Productions your help very much. Thanks for this. Now let's Producer/Director start a new production and start developing South Africa Mauritius as a firm and professional film industry. 3. We have finally arrived home. Even though Andreas Habermayer Identical Pictures we were happy to come home to our friends and United Kingdom family, we are heavy-hearted to have left the beauty of Mauritius. 2. I hereby express my thanks and gratitude to you and all at the Mauritius Film Development We would like to extend a huge thank you for all Corporation for your efficient and professional your help and support. You were a tremendous assistance in facilitating my location shoot in help to us and the MFDC was outstanding to deal Mauritius. with. You were all very professional and all eager to assist us in our filming process. Without the In particular, I wish to thank you for hastily help of MFDC, we would not have had such a swift organizing my shooting at Port Louis harbor at and easy shoot. We will definitely be back. such short notice. Angela Benneth This particular location is vital to the successful Navigator Films portrayal of the essence of the documentary. The South Africa assistance afforded to myself and my crew 05 25yrs Appreciations from Stakeholders 4. Je tiens à remercier la MFDC pour avoir agit 6. The MFDC has been of utmost help in the grandement comme facilitateur de nos shoots of our film AMBAR in Mauritius. démarches de filmer sans aucun problème à l'île Maurice. Their coordinating support in realizing our shoots was something we could not do without. Toutes ces personnes nous ont réservé un accueil The MFDC has proven in the last twenty-five years chaleureux que nous ne sommes pas prêts that their support is invaluable for foreign d'oublier et nous nous confortons dans notre producers. grande amitié pour Maurice et les Mauriciens. Thank you so much MFDC from the bottom of our Philippe Minot hearts. Réalisateur France We wish you many more successful years to come in your service. 5. I take this opportunity to congratulate MFDC for successfully completing 25 years of Neha & Amit Shaan contribution towards developing Mauritius as a Shaan Creations International film shooting destination. As a filmmaker, I have Netherlands been shooting my films in Mauritius for the last 12 years. I am pleased to recognise that co-operation 7. Media Equipment Rentals in association with and guidance from MDFC has played a major role the Mauritius Film Development Corporation is for me and all filmmakers from all over. proud to be able to help grow and nurture an emerging Film Industry in Mauritius. I wish a great and glorious pathway ahead. Mauritius offers a unique and untouched location Mukesh Udeshi with good light, ideal for international filming Filmmaker requirements. This coupled with regular flights Baba Enterprise from Europe, Australia and Africa means that the India-Mauritius country offers a perfect, yet largely untapped resource. Richard Sysum Media Equipment Rentals Mauritius 06 Mauritius Film Development Corporation Statutory objectives and regulations The Mauritius Film Development Corporation (MFDC) was set up in August 1986 by an Act of Parliament (Act no 31 of 1986) and operates under the aegis