3. Website RFP Scope of Work – Process followed
Website visuals
Incentive showcase &
disbursement process
Approvals related to filming
Line Producers &
Production Houses
8
Industry associations
5
Study of global
websites
5
State interactions
(DL, MH, MP, BH, PB, GJ, Sikkim,
Tripura, CH, JH, HP, RJ, Goa, AP, TN)
16
State interactions
(DL, MH, MP, BH, PB, GJ, Sikkim,
Tripura, CH, JH, HP, RJ, Goa, AP, TN)
16
Integration of FFO
& State filming
approvals
NSWS
Line Producers &
Production Houses
8
Industry associations
5
Study of global
processes
5
Roundtable (IFFI, Goa)
1
4. Suggestions received from Industry, Associations & States (1/2)
1. Promote India's post-production capabilities and opportunities through website.
2. Comprehensive directory of all resources relevant to film-making including technicians, equipment, locations, etc
3. Location compendium to promote India’s favorable destinations to shoot films.
4. Highlighting co-production agreements/treaties and clarity on incentives offered to producers from treaty-specific
countries including highlighting the fact that both central and state incentives can be simultaneously availed.
5. Promotional/advertising campaigns targeting foreign producers to film in India
6. Detailed calendar of International Film Festivals to help stakeholders in planning ahead, engage and partner with
FFO.
Website showcase
5. Suggestions received from Industry, Associations & States (2/2)
1. Seamless integration of all states and their respective approvals on FFO website/portal.
2. FFO application process to include provision to revise/update details (e.g. additional crew members/adding
locations.)
3. Clear visibility in dashboard on application & approval process including specifics of officer/department
processing the approval.
4. Suggested provision for deemed approval when permissions/approvals taking longer than prescribed time limit
5. Payment gateway to allow multiple modes of payment (currently limited to some credit cards/banks)
Approval process
6. Website
reviewed Best practices on Location Compendium
• Guidelines/Code of conduct for filmmakers shooting at State-owned/operated property
• Option and guidelines for residents/merchants to promote shooting at their property
• Uses Reel-scout (third party website with software specialised for film commissions) for locations
• Cinematic portrayal of location- minute details.
• Has provision for uploading location details
• Searchable by Keyword, Type and City
• Location Information routed to local film commissions.
• Integrated with Reel-Scout software for searchable location database
• Comprehensive listing of locations searchable by category, proximity to landmarks, Architecture style ,etc.
• Image gallery of at least 10 pictures per location
• City-level data
• Categorised by region, architecture, types of location, etc.
• Location information page with live weather updates, Google coordinates, details of permitting authorities etc.
Comparative Overview of International Film Commission
Websites
7. Industry Directory (As Reference tool, not endorsement)
• Links directing to private websites hosting information on production and post-production related resources.
• Links to Government & Private websites helping in verifying businesses (IMDB, LA County Fictitious Business
Name Database, Talent Agency License Database)
• Listing of general and film-related recruitment websites (Entertainmentcareers.com, LinkedIn, Showbizjobs etc.)
• Area-wise and category-wise listing of resources (crews, production equipment, expendables and supplies,
state‐of‐the‐art production and post‐facilities, insert stages and studios, one‐of‐a‐kind locations and support
services) with contact details
• Listing updated annually; USD 25 charged from businesses for 1 year.
• Login account for businesses, to list themselves, update listings, and network with clients/production
companies.
• Information available at state-level film commissions.
• Category-wise listing of crew, talent and support services (accountants, photographer, cultural advisor,
translators, cameramen, graphic designer/artists, production designer, set designer, art director etc.)
• Listing done on free-basis but requiring businesses to furnish one verifiable media industry job credit.
• Login account for businesses, to list themselves, update listings, and network with clients/production companies
• Region-wise listing of short films; documentaries; animation, video games and visual effects; actors and
actresses, directors, scriptwriters, technicians, audiovisual Clusters.
Comparative Overview of International Film Commission
Websites
8. Approvals/Incentives
• Online system for filming permits on state property, beaches, transit, wildlife parks,use of drones,etc
• Online application for tax credits by eligible productions (during specified time windows)
• Guidelines are indicated clearly with graphs and demarcated category wise
• Project registration system available. No permits on the website
• Cash rebate application is offline and involves requesting for application form by email
• Uses third party website smartygrants.com.au for online system of grants administration
• Filming permits are issued by State and City level film commissions
• Filming permit application is through Ministry of Culture and Youth website
• Online Application for 30% rebate on Film Commission website
• Simple form -based application for incentive
• Offline application for incentives
• Provincial and City Film Offices (Madrid,etc.) have online filming permit systems
Comparative Overview of International Film Commission
Websites
9. Interaction with global service provider - Reelscout
1. Detailed discussion with Reelscout (premier film office location scout platforms company) on services offered by
Reelscout to key film commission offices and their websites.
2. Works with 120+ Government and private companies
3. Services provided : Public Locations Gallery, Mobile App, Online Maps and Tours, Location Submission Engine,
Production Directory
4. Method of onboarding : Scope of services/offerings and engagements with premier film commissions discussed.
Detailed description of services awaited from Reelscout to assess possible contribution to revamped FFO portal
11. Website Overhaul
• Enhancing the user experience and interface of existing FFO website
• Building a GIS based Location Compendium to promote "India's favorable destinations" for film shooting
o To be further integrated with the portals of the State and Central government portals granting the required approvals and
incentives for shooting in specific location
o Information available for production houses on this portal -
o What does the location look like? - GIS layers on weather & topography
o How to reach the location? - Connectivity via road, rail, air
o In and around the location? – Wildlife sanctuaries, monuments, tourist spots, public places, etc.
o Where to stay? – Geotagging of hotels and lodging houses, Bed n Breakfasts, etc.
o Other Features – Geotagging of post-production studios, equipment rental places, etc.
o Integration with IRCTC, MMT, OYO, etc to enable user to make bookings
• Directory of Service Providers
o Directory of line producers, equipment suppliers, postproduction houses, talent service agencies, local talent, etc
o Trade Association database for easier linkages between Indian industry and foreign producers
12. Integration of Centre and State level approvals
• Single user sign on to apply for approvals at Central level and State Level via FFO web portal
• Using Application Programming Interface (API) to align and develop a Common Application Form (CAF) for applying for various
approvals (across Central and State level authorities) for States like Delhi, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh,
Uttarakhand, Telangana, etc who have already developed an online approval system
• Customising the CAF for other States who are yet to develop their systems for granting approvals related to filming (such as Himalayan
States, North eastern region, Andaman and Nicobar, etc.)
• Standardising the deemed approvals (Centre and State) for film shooting - defining timeline of approval processes with States and
Central Agencies and establish the permission tracking mechanism allowing users to see the time taken for giving permission.
• Design new Forms for collecting information and/or modify existing ones to make them simpler - FAQs, Communication (SMS/Email),
Dashboard
• Strengthen the Grievance Redressal mechanism
• Dashboards for applicants, central nodal officer and state nodal officers to view, track and edit applications
• Integration of FFO website for filming related approvals with the National Single Window System
• Conduct security audits and resolve any technical issues that may arise
13. Producer registers on FFO
website
Uploads Authorisation letter,
Script, Synopsis, Shoot
locations, Crew details,
equipment list. Pays USD 225
or equivalent in INR through
payment. gateway
FFO receives notification on
receipt of new application
If all documents and payment
received, Script is sent to
Script Evaluation Officer
(SEO). If shoot is in restricted
areas. MHA application is filed
If SEO recommends changes,
producer is asked to revise
the script and re-submit again
to the SEO
SEO Clears script and
application is forwarded to
Ministry with MD, NFDC
approval and Head FFO
recommendation
On receipt of Ministry
permission, letter is uploaded
on the Portal. Producer is
connected to SNO for
permissions and concerned
mission and MEA for VISA
FFO facilitates other domestic
permissions
Approval Process for National Permissions
14. Incentive disbursement process
• Integrating an application form with existing permissions for seamless movement between permissions application
and incentive application
• Applicant dashboard to view, edit and track submitted application
• Officer (centre + state) dashboard to view and approve applications national permissions and for incentive
disbursement
• Process steps for incentives to be streamlined on FFO website portal in clear and cohesive manner providing
applicants visibility of status at each stage of evaluation process
1. Application for Interim Approval (post permission/co-production status).
2. Scrutinised by FFO/evaluation by Special Incentive Evaluation Committee (SIEC).
3. Grant of interim approval.
4. Application for disbursal (90 days after shoot completion/up to 50% of estimated expenditure).
5. Reviewed and scrutinised by FFO and SIEC-approved auditor.
6. Disbursal of incentives (further specific steps based on whether shoot is co-production or foreign film shoot
pursuant to assessment by script evaluator).
• Customized Dashboards for stakeholders - View applications submitted, under process, track the status of
applications for production house, state and central nodal officers
15. MIB Permission
Recieved
Apply for Central
Incentives
Official Co-
Production
Foreign Shoot
Apply for State
level incentives
Apply through
links on State
portals
Official
Co-Productions
Apply for Interim Approval
Apply for interim disbursal if required
(after 50% expenditure has incurred)
Apply for Final Disbursal
Foreign Shoot
Apply for Interim
Approval (4 weeks
before the shoot)
Apply for Final
Disbursal after the
shoot is over
Process Flow for filing applications for incentives
16. Disbursal of amount at various stages as approved
Provision for online meeting of Committee and approvals thereof
Application sent to Incentive Evaluation Committe/ Auditor
Interim Approval after scrutiny of documents and MD approval
Incentive Dashboard
View Applications, Scrutinise Documents, Raise Queries, Forward to Committee, Interim Approval, Final Approval, MIS Reports
FFO Workflow for National Incentives
