| The Lowdown... | Now in its eighth year the event has previously been hosted in Amsterdam, Dubai, Singapore, London, Malaysia and South Africa. Last year the IAFA Awards attracted a global audience of around 480 million people. Among those attending have been Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Shekhar Kapur and Jean Claude Van Damme. Organisers believe it will provide a huge boost to Yorkshire's economy. |
Yorkshire's successful bid for the 2007 Bollywood Oscars was announced back in June. Now the International Indian Film Academy Awards' (IIFA) glittering weekend has taken yet another turn in its development. On Thursday (November 8th 2006) Bradford saw the official Yorkshire launch with IIFA ambassador, Amitabh Bachchan (who is a superstar in his own right), gracing the event with flair and never-aging demeanour. The London launch, held at the House of Commons the day before, was also a great success.  | | Taj meets Amitabh Bachchan |
At the Yorkshire launch held at the National Museum of Photography, Film and Television (NMPFTV), the IIFA organisers gathered together to announce what is to come – the Awards in Yorkshire are expected to be the best yet! Taking place between 7-10th June 2007, the IIFA 'weekend' will see the following events take place across the region: - A global business forum
- Celebrity fund-raiser (charity cricket match at Headingley)
- IIFA world premiere of films across the region
- IIFA film workshop (celebrating the magic of Satyajit Ray)
- IIFA Awards Function In addition there will be industry workshops at the NMPFTV. | "The Bollywood extravaganza is set to hit Yorkshire in a big, big way – so start choosing your top hats and cloaks now! The ride has just begun…" | | Taj |
You can expect all of this to be done with the usual Bollywood elegance and finesse and the Yorkshire welcome is certainly poised to bowl over the Indian film industry when it comes to the region next year. Terry Hodgkinson, Chair of Yorkshire Forward, says: "Hosting the awards will act as a catalyst to access the Indian market, forging stronger business and cultural links between our region and India”. The Bollywood extravaganza is set to hit Yorkshire in a big, big way – so start choosing your top hats and cloaks now! The ride has just begun… | 
