British Columbia is making a bid to host the International Indian Film Academy Awards in 2013 in Vancouver, which would bring world-wide attention to B.C. and strengthen the province's trade relationship with India, Premier Christy Clark announced following a tour of Film City in Mumbai.

"This event presents an opportunity to remind 700 million TV viewers around the word about the reasons they should visit and invest in our province, creating jobs for British Columbians," said Premier Clark. "It would represent a huge boost to the Vancouver economy, with an anticipated 40,000 projected visitors. This also represents an opportunity to show what our film and digital media community has to offer in the international arena."

The International Indian Film Academy Awards celebrate artistic and technical excellence. The three-day weekend event, televised around the world, includes a film festival, film premieres, music performances, business and trade forums, and an awards night.

This year's awards were held in Toronto - the first time they have come to North America - and generated the equivalent of $100 million in advertising world-wide. A total of 750 media were in attendance, and 15 billion impressions of the city were seen around the world.

Previous host cities have included London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Singapore, Johannesburg and Bangkok.

The Province is working with agencies such as the Canadian Indian Business Council and the Surrey Board of Trade to develop B.C.'s bid to host the 14th annual awards in 2013.

The Premier is leading the largest trade mission in the province's history to promote B.C. as a safe harbour for investment. The BC Jobs and Trade Mission is focused on strengthening existing relationships between B.C. and Asian markets, opening doors for new relationships and setting the stage for future opportunities in China and India.

Quick Facts:

• B.C. has been a popular location for shooting Indian films, including:
  

• Thank You - 2011 romantic comedy, with scenes shot in Vancouver's Stanley Park

• Yamla Pagla Deewana - 2011 comedy drama, scenes shot in Vancouver

• Pardes - 1997 romance, scene shot on the Alex Fraser Bridge in Delta

• Well over 263,000 British Columbians are of South Asian descent.

Learn More:
International Indian Film Academy - www.iifa.com

Contact:
Marisa Adair
Communications Director
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation
250 413-7316
Marisa.Adair@gov.bc.ca