Ontario, Canada to host IIFA Weekend and Awards 2011

Ontario, Canada to host IIFA Weekend and Awards 2011

Toronto to be first North American city to host the 
International Indian Film Academy Awards 

TORONTO, Jan. 19 /PRNewswire/ - Having travelled to locations like Great
Britain, China, Europe, Middle East, Thailand and Sri Lanka in the
past, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) will make its North
American debut in Ontario, Canada this year. The three-day long IIFA
Weekend and Awards is all set to take place from the 23(rd) to 25(th) of June.

IIFA is a global platform that gives the Indian film industry an
opportunity to reach audiences in international territories. It also
establishes a symbiotic relationship between India and the host country
in areas such as tourism, culture and trade. Canada has been a popular
destination for filming and showcasing of Indian films and while many
prominent films have been showcased at the Toronto International Film
Festival, several movies have been filmed in this picturesque country,
making it a great choice for this year's IIFA celebrations.

Canada has an Asian population of over 960,000, with 550,000 Indians
living in the Greater Toronto Area. This gives Indian Cinema a huge
audience in Canada and makes it a very popular form of entertainment.  

Speaking on hosting IIFA 2011 in Ontario, Premier Dalton McGuinty shared, "Ontario's diversity makes us stronger and the IIFA Weekend and Awards
are proof of that. The weekend will build on the growing economic and
cultural ties between our province and India and showcase Ontario to
the world."

Known for its cultural, entertainment and metropolitan scene, Toronto is
an ideal choice for IIFA 2011.  Toronto is considered a global city and is one of the top financial centres in the world. The Toronto
International Film Festival welcomes more than 450,000 people every
year, including film executives, movie buffs and everyday citizens in a
celebration of film.

Sonia Baxendale, President of CIBC Retail Markets - the presenting sponsor of the IIFA Awards 2011 added, "CIBC has a long history of celebrating Canada's rich cultural
diversity. This diversity is reflected in our employee base across the
country, the millions of clients that we attract and serve and the
communities that we call home across Canada. IIFA 2011 will not only
shine a spotlight on the very best of the Indian film industry from
around the world, but, as importantly, it will showcase the diversity,
pride and passion of Canada's South Asian communities, and Canadians of
all backgrounds"

Longtime IIFA supporter, Indian Cinema super star, Anil Kapoor said, "IIFA's journey over the last ten years has opened many doors for the
Indian film Industry in the host country, be it in terms of film
shooting avenues or the assistance given to filmmakers and producers
from Government and Tourism bodies. IIFA has also helped propel Indian
Cinema, by virtue of the deals that have been struck with production
houses and the screening of our films that would have never had the
opportunity to be showcased there, prior to the IIFA event."

Leading Bollywood actress, Preity Zinta said, "I think IIFA is a very novel venture and has allowed our Indian Film
Fraternity to expand its wings over the globe with IIFA's remarkable
idea of taking the fraternity to different cities and countries each
year. Through the 11 successful years that IIFA has completed, we have
experienced unbelievable love from global fans. IIFA gives us the
opportunity to see firsthand the support we are receiving beyond
borders. I am very excited to see the IIFA action shift to Toronto this
year, which shares a close association with India."

As testament to its mission of integration and building bridges between
countries, The International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) is associating
itself with the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto, York and Peel as a
part of the IIFA Weekend and Awards celebrations in Ontario. Big
Brothers Big Sisters of Toronto, York and Peel is a mentoring
organization for children and youth and is committed to providing
caring adult relationships for children to promote their healthy
development and enhance their self esteem.

Air India is India's national carrier connecting India with the rest of
the world. Air India is the only airline that flies directly from India
to Canada. Speaking on the partnership, Mr Arvind Jadhav, Chairman and Managing Director, Air India said, "Air India celebrates its association with Bollywood. Indian film
industry actors are our cultural ambassadors and we, the national
carrier, do take genuine pride in flying them to Toronto for the
International Indian Film Academy Awards."

"Air India is proud to be the only airline which links India to Toronto
by a direct non-stop, state-of-the-art technology Boeing 777 aircraft,
giving the passengers the best in terms of class, comfort and
convenience. Air India is also proud to be associated as the official travel partner
of IIFA, 12th edition - the Oscars of Bollywood. We wish the event to
be a grand success," Mr Jadhav added.

Sabbas Joseph, Director, Wizcraft said, "Toronto is a great choice for IIFA's North American premiere. We have
already gained a great response from people across Canada, America and
key territories across the world with guests eager to join the
celebrations in Toronto. We are certain that this year's IIFA will be
absolutely memorable."

The IIFA Celebrations in Toronto comprises six major events and a myriad
of smaller interactive events. The major events are the world premiere,
the IIFA Rocks, the FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum, the IIFA Film
festival, IIFA Film Workshop and the IIFA Awards.

The key details are as follows:

IIFA World Premiere: June 23, Silvercity Brampton Cinemas. Entry by
invitation only.

IIFA Rocks: June 24, Ricoh Coliseum, Toronto.  Ticket prices: $100,
$149.99, $200 & $250.

IIFA Awards: June 25, Rogers Centre. Ticket prices: $49, $79, $129 &
$295.

Bookings can be made online on 20(th) January, 2011 12 noon onwards 2011 at ticketmaster.ca.

The first IIFA Awards were held at the Millennium Dome in London in 2000
and have gone on to cities like Sun City, Malaysia, Dubai, Amsterdam,
Singapore, Yorkshire, Bangkok, Macau, and Johannesburg among others,
with the most recent being celebrated in Colombo. The IIFA Weekend is
expected to draw key members of the Indian film industry and about
40,000 visitors to Toronto, with an international television audience
of more than 600 million.

About IIFA

Conceptualized and produced by Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt.
Ltd. and supported by the key members of the Indian film fraternity,
IIFA is the most appreciated South Asian film academy. Also, the IIFA
Awards is India's biggest media event. With a viewership of almost 600
million, it is among the world's most-watched annual entertainment
events.

From a one night celebration in 2000 at the Millennium Dome, London, the
last ten years have seen the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA)
movement grow into a cine-packed weekend of film-festivals, workshops,
exhibitions, film-showcases, global business forums and sporting
events, all of which climax into the highlight of the Weekend, the IIFA
Awards.
www.iifa.com

SOURCE International Indian Film Academy (IIFA)

International Indian Film Academy (IIFA)

CONTACT: <p></p> <p align="justify">For more details please contact:</p> <table border="0"><tr><td><b>Wizcraft Intl. Entertainment Pvt. Ltd </b> </td> <td><b>Aerial PR</b></td></tr> <tr><td>Wiz Swetha Subbaraman    </td> <td>Naomi Strasser</td></tr> <tr><td>+91 9819935482     </td> <td>416-787-6577</td></tr> <tr><td><a href="mailto:Swetha.subbaraman@wizcraftworld.com">Swetha.subbaraman@wizcraftworld.com</a> </td> <td><a href="mailto:iifa@aerialpr.com">iifa@aerialpr.com</a></td></tr></table>

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