T
he West Australian Indian Film Council (WAIFC) has been officially launched at Government House in Perth, bringing together representatives from government, diplomacy, film, business, education and the arts to build closer links between Western Australia and India’s screen industries.
The independent not-for-profit organisation aims to connect, facilitate and advocate for collaboration between Western Australian and Indian film and creative sectors.
The launch on Friday morning focused on opportunities for co-productions, talent exchanges, investment and cultural partnerships, with speakers highlighting the growing scope for cooperation between the two regions.
The Consul General said WAIFC could help create practical opportunities across film, media and the wider creative industries. She also pointed to the role of Western Australia’s Indian diaspora, whose connections with India’s diverse film industries could help develop new partnerships.
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook addressed the gathering and highlighted opportunities created by the Australia-India Co-production Treaty. He said the focus would be on turning the framework into concrete productions and projects.
Simone McGurk MLA also addressed the event, highlighting the State Government’s focus on economic diversification through the creative industries. She pointed to the government’s A$290 million investment in Perth Film Studios as part of that broader approach.
The launch was attended by several members of the Western Australian Parliament, including Julie Freeman MLC, Ron Sao MLA, Yaz Mubarakai MLA, Hugh Jones MLA, Sook-Yee Lai MLA and Dan Bull MLA.
Representatives from the diplomatic corps and Pamela Currie, Director of the Western Australian State Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, were also present.
The event brought together organisations from across Western Australia’s screen, arts and cultural sectors, including Screenwest, Screen Australia, CinefestOZ, the Western Australian Museum, Perth Festival, the Chamber of Arts and Culture WA and ARTRAGE.
Film and television figures attending included Celia Tait of Artemis Media, Julia Redwood of Prospero Productions, Martin Wilson of Third Storey Pictures, Pallavi Sharda of Bodhini Studios, actor Isha Sharvani, Suzanne Worner of WAIFC and Ian Hale of The Backlot Perth.
WAIFC chair Nilesh Makwana and his team were recognised for establishing the organisation, with the Consulate saying it looked forward to seeing the council develop further opportunities for co-production, talent exchange and cultural engagement.
The council’s launch comes as Australia and India continue to develop closer creative and screen industry links, with the co-production treaty providing a framework for eligible film and television projects involving producers from both countries.
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