In recent years, both the Indian and Australian governments are seeing creative industries as a new growth area with booming business and employment opportunities for both young and established entrepreneurs. Post-1990s, with the economic liberalization phase in India, and thanks to the 25-million-strong Indian diaspora, Bollywood has emerged as a powerful cultural mascot not just for India but also the Indian diaspora in Australia.
Today, Bollywood films occupy prime slots in mainstream cinemas such as Hoyts, regularly. Australia has beyond doubt become a lasting hot destination for leading Indian filmmakers, with blockbusters like Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Salaam Namaste (2005), Chak De! India (2007), Singh is King (2008), and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag (2014), to name a select few among the more than 100 Indian films, television serials, commercials and music videos that have been shot in Australia.
The University of Newcastle is now inviting scholars, filmmakers and community members to join them in a one-day symposia on “Creative and Cultural Dimensions of Bollywood” to discuss the themes of (but not limited to) creative industries and practices in Bollywood; production, distribution, and consumption of Bollywood Films in Australia; challenges for Australian-Indian film collaborations; opportunities in emerging crossover cinema; Bollywood films and film festivals in Australia; and the role of Indian community organisations in promoting Bollywood.
The symposia would be followed by a one day film festival on 8 May and 9 May featuring short, documentary, crossover, and Bollywood films. Those interested in screening their films and making a presentation at the symposia can email the title of their paper/film along with a 150-word abstract and 50-word biographical note to Dr Vikrant Kishore (vikrant.kishore@newcastle.edu.au).
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