Filmmakers to get incentive for promoting tourism

Karnataka will provide a financial incentive of up to Rs 2.5 crore to filmmakers whose movies showcase popular tourist destinations in the state. This is under a new Karnataka Film Tourism Policy 2018 that the Cabinet approved on Wednesday.

The policy is inspired from similar incentives filmmakers are given overseas for promoting tourism, Law Minister Krishna Byre Gowda told reporters after the Cabinet meeting.

“We have seen tourist destinations abroad attracting visitors after having been featured in movies. This policy is aimed at promoting tourist destinations in Karnataka by providing incentives to filmmakers,” Gowda said. According to the Tourism department, a film must be shot on a budget of more than Rs 5 crore to become eligible for the incentive under the policy. A committee headed by the additional chief secretary will evaluate films on a scale of 100. The parameters used for evaluation are the percentage of tourist destinations showcased, filming at tourist spots, reflecting Karnataka’s culture and heritage among others.

A film must showcase at least three out of 319 tourist destinations that the government has identified in its Tourism Policy 2015-2020.

Films that score 90 and above (Category A) will get an incentive of up to Rs 2.5 crore while those scoring 75-90 (Category B) will get up to Rs 1 crore. “It was discussed in the Cabinet that this incentive can be misused. Officials assured us that it will be implemented in a transparent manner,” Gowda said.

The government wants to provide the incentive to at least 8 films and has earmarked Rs 12.5 crore for it. This includes 3 films under Category A and five under Category B. Gowda clarified that the policy would not result in relaxing restrictions applicable in forest areas and protected sites. “Filmmakers will still need to get necessary clearances for shooting,” he said.