The partnership was announced at a reception hosted by US Ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer for MPAA CEO and chairman Dan Glickman at his Roosevelt House residence.
In an effort to promote the best of American cinema, MPAA’s studio members will provide the films in digital format to the American Center, located at 24 Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi. MPAA members include Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, NBC Universal, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and Warner Bros Entertainment Inc.
"The United States and India are two nations having a growing and shared stake in encouraging a healthy, legitimate marketplace for film and other creative works. Both of our respective countries appreciate not only the cultural contributions of movies, but also the extraordinary and growing economic opportunities they create," said Glickman.
Ambassador Roemer added, "The US and India have the largest motion picture industries in the world, reflecting the appreciation of film that both Indians and Americans share. I grew up being inspired by movies like It’s a wonderful Life, Hoosiers and Gandhi. Now, this partnership between the American Center and motion picture industry leaders will allow us to share American culture with India in new and exciting ways."
In response, the American Center is undergoing a complete renovation of its theatre. The new theatre will be digitally compliant to MPAA standards and will include a new screen, new projection equipment and new sound system. The project is expected to be completed before the end of the year.
This agreement allows the American Center to continue its 34-year-old tradition of screening quality American films for the New Delhi audience. American Center film screenings are free and open to the public.
