Cinema of Mauritius

The cinema of Mauritius does not have long-established and continuous tradition and organization. However, there have been recent efforts to encourage international filmmakers to shoot on the island and establish an indigenous film industry. Both Western and Indian movies are watched by Mauriteans.[1]

Movie audiences in Mauritius

Movies are predominantly broadcast in French, with some in English or Indian languages. The Star Cinema within the Bagatelle Mall of Mauritius contains six screens, with a total seating capacity of 1,200. Other movie theaters include the Cine Klassic Movie Theater and Cinema Star at the Caudon Waterfront, and Cinema ABC in Rose Hill. [1]

Filmmaking in Mauritius

Filmmaking in Mauritius started with "sporadic attempts at making home movies in the 1950s".[2] In 1986 a Mauritius Film Development Corporation (MFDC) was established, under the aegis of the Ministry of Arts and Culture, to encourage the development of a film industry in Mauritius.[3] The MFDC helped foreign directors obtain permits to shoot on the island. The popularity of the Bollywood movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, filmed in Mauritius in 1997, prompted other Bollywood producers to take advantage of the island's scenery.[4] However, for a long time the MFDC lacked the organizational stability to provide consistent support for local filmmakers.[2] In 2007 the Île Courts International Short Film Festival was established, run by the non-profil organization Porteurs d'Images.[5] In 2013 a Film Rebate Scheme was established to provide both local and international filmmakers with a financial incentive to shoot on the island,[6] and the terms of the rebate were extended in 2016.[4] In October 2017 the Government initiated a Mauritius Cinema Week, and a second edition of the event was held in 2018.[7]

References
  1. Shanguhyia (2015). "Mauritius". In Toyin Falola; Daniel Jean-Jacques (eds.). Africa: An Encyclopedia of Culture and Society [3 volumes]: An Encyclopedia of Culture and Society. ABC-CLIO. p. 821. ISBN 978-1-59884-666-9.
  2. The Current State of Cinema In the Indian Ocean Islands
  3. Mauritius Film Development Corporation - About Us
  4. Lindsay Fortado, Mauritius offers tax breaks to attract Bollywood movie industry, Financial Times, September 29, 2016.
  5. Île Courts International Short Film Festival
  6. Mauritius launches 30% rebate scheme to attract Bollywood, The Economic Times, October 31, 2013
  7. About the Event
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