India Cine Hub Renaissance Through Incentives

By Pickle February 25, 2025

Reimagining Global Indian Cinema: How the Filming Incentives Scheme is Powering a Cultural Renaissance

India has always been a land of stories. With a rich oral tradition shaped by mythology, history, and diverse cultures, storytelling is deeply ingrained in our identity. Over the past century, Indian cinema has carried this torch forward, growing into the largest film industry in the world. Yet, despite its size and legacy, the global impact of Indian cinema had remained relatively limited, marked by occasional successes rather than consistent international acclaim. That narrative, however, is changing dramatically.

From the Oscar-winning RRR and Chello Show to festival triumphs like All We Imagine As Light and Girls Will Be Girls, the last two years have marked a global resurgence of Indian cinema. These successes are not coincidental. They reflect a strategic alignment of talent, compelling storytelling, and proactive government support aimed at transforming India into a global filmmaking hub.

Driving the Change: India Cine Hub and NFDC

At the heart of this transformation lies the India Cine Hub (ICH), formerly known as the Film Facilitation Office (FFO). Established in 2015 under the aegis of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), ICH was created to simplify and streamline the process of filming in India. Initially focused on supporting foreign filmmakers, it has now expanded its services to domestic productions, aligning with the government’s broader “Ease of Doing Business” initiative.

Over the years, ICH has facilitated more than 300 international and domestic film projects, including official co-productions. By acting as a one-stop solution for permissions, logistical support, and guidance, it has successfully positioned India as a film-friendly destination.

The Filming Incentives Scheme: A Game-Changer

Among the key drivers of India’s growing global cinematic footprint is the Filming Incentives Scheme. Key highlights of the incentives include financial reimbursement, co-production incentives, state-level incentives, and post-production services.

First introduced in 2022 and significantly revamped in November 2023, the scheme offers reimbursements of up to 40% on qualifying production expenditure in India. This includes incentives for animation and visual effect projects, further boosting ancillary industries.

“The Indo-French co-production treaty and the incentive system have been pivotal in overcoming the financial challenges of filmmaking. Such support is crucial for the growth of cinema,” shares Payal Kapadia, director of All We Imagine As Light.

Since its inception, the scheme has witnessed remarkable growth. During the period April 2023 – March 2024, 30 projects applied for support; today, that number stands at 54, with 15 projects already funded. The initiative has facilitated acclaimed projects like the Grand Prix-winning All We Imagine As Light, Sundance contender Girls Will Be Girls, and several international productions, including Sister Midnight (UK) and Los Dos Hemisferios (Netflix Mexico).

If leveraged properly, India offers up to $3.6 million in central incentives, with an additional $2 million available from state-level incentives across the country.

“Working with India Cine Hub has been incredibly efficient. Location permits were handled seamlessly, and funds were disbursed without delays. Such support makes international co-productions successful,” notes Zico Maitra, producer of All We Imagine As Light.

Seamless and Transparent Processes

A key strength of the Filming Incentives Scheme is its user-friendly and transparent application process. Fully digitized and paperless, filmmakers can apply and track their applications online, with dedicated interfaces for resolving queries. Additionally, the integration of state governments and central agencies like the Railways and Archaeological Survey of India into the portal ensures a unified and hassle-free experience.

State governments are increasingly getting involved, and in the future, permissions will also be granted directly through the India Cine Hub platform.

“Filming in India is unlike anywhere else. The landscapes, cityscapes, and the extraordinary dedication of the crews make it a unique experience. Coupled with cost-effectiveness, it’s an unbeatable combination,” says Alastair Clark, producer of Sister Midnight.

Strengthening State and Central Collaboration

The collaboration between ICH, NFDC, and state governments has been a cornerstone of the scheme’s success. States are increasingly recognizing the economic and cultural benefits of hosting film shoots, leading to quicker permissions and active participation in the portal.

Several states, including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Gujarat, offer exclusive incentives such as tax rebates, subsidies on equipment rentals, and cash rebates, further enhancing India’s appeal as a filming destination.

India’s World-Class Post-Production and AVGC Services

India is not just an attractive location for filming but also a global leader in post-production and AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) services. The country offers world-class facilities for editing, sound design, color correction, and special effects, making it a cost-effective and high-quality choice for filmmakers worldwide.

With robust co-production agreements and world-class post-production facilities, India sets the stage for creativity and collaboration like never before.

Looking Ahead: WAVES and Beyond

Building on this momentum, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is gearing up to host the inaugural World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) from May 1-4, 2025, in Mumbai. Organized by NFDC, WAVES aims to showcase India’s Media & Entertainment (M&E) industry to the world, fostering collaboration and innovation across films, broadcasting, digital media, and AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics, and Extended Reality).

The vision of WAVES is to make India a global content hub and a net exporter of content, build a rich intellectual property ecosystem, enhance Indian media’s global market share, position India as a major global investment market, foster strategic partnerships and collaborations, and connect with a diverse range of industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators.

With the M&E industry projected to grow to $35 billion by 2025, India is poised to ride this wave of opportunity. By aligning policy, incentives, and infrastructure, the country is not only nurturing its cinematic heritage but also cementing its position as a global creative powerhouse.

As the success stories of All We Imagine As Light, RRR, and many others demonstrate, Indian cinema is no longer just about storytelling; it’s about shaping a narrative that resonates worldwide.

Contact

The India Cine Hub is based in Mumbai and Delhi. More details on its activities can be found on the website https://indiacinehub.gov.in. For further details, please contact:

Shruti Rajkumar (shruti.rajkumar@investindia.org.in)
Ramkumar Vijayan (ramkumar.vijayan@investindia.org.in)
Leena Rani Narzary (leena.narzary@investindia.org.in)

India Cine Hub has facilitated over 300 international and domestic film projects, including official co-productions
The Filming Incentives Scheme offers reimbursements of up to 40% on qualifying production expenditure in India, including incentives for animation and visual effect projects
India offers up to $3.6 million in central incentives, with an additional $2 million available from state-level incentives across the country
Collaboration between ICH, NFDC, and state governments has been a cornerstone of the scheme’s success
India offers world-class facilities for editing, sound design, color correction, and special effects
The inaugural WAVE Summit in Mumbai from May 1-4, 2025, aims to make India a global content hub and a net exporter of content