Gujarat - Permission for Film Shooting in India for International Filmmakers

ProcedureEdit

Apply online

The foreign filmmaker must first obtain permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B), to apply for Film Visa. Here are the steps to apply for permission from Ministry of I&B.
You first need to register yourself with the FFO (Film Facilitation Office) website Link
Fill out the application form for seeking permission for film shooting in India.
The application form will ask for the information/documents in the “Required Documents” section below.
A fee of INR equivalent to USD 225 is required to be made online, to submit your application.
After gaining permission to film in India from the FFO, you must submit an undertaking to the Ministry of I&B in accordance with the online format, on the letterhead of the company that requested for the filming authorization. (Please note that the Undertaking format is only a sample copy, and the points may need to be changed in accordance with the Ministry of I&B's approval letter.)
Applying For Visa – Submit the detailed information about all members of the shooting team, as well as the Permission Letter issued by the Ministry of I&B, to the Indian Mission in the country from which they will depart for India at the time, indicating your intention to shoot in India. If the proposal has been approved by the Ministry of I&B, Indian Missions/Posts abroad will grant Film Visa “(F) Visa” to such applicants who are coming to shoot Feature Films, TV/Web show and series, and Reality TV/Web show and series in India.
Your permission to shoot will normally be processed within three weeks of submitting all required documents. If consultation with the Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs is required, you should allow for more time to process your application.
As part of the application process, your script will be evaluated by an expert from the Ministry's panel. A liaison officer may be assigned to a film production team if deemed necessary.
Below is the procedure for domestic filmmakers which you may follow for applying for specific State/local permissions post receipt of the National permission issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
To start your application process, you first need to create an account on the FFO (Film Facilitation Office) website Link
After filling all the necessary details, enter the captcha and click the “submit” button.
You will be redirected to the Login Page with the message “Your account has been created successfully. Please activate your account by clicking on the link sent on your email.”
Go to your email and click the activation link sent by FFO.
Once you click on the activation link on your email, you will be redirected to the login page again with the message “Your account has been successfully activated.”
Now enter your email ID, password and the captcha and click the “Login” button.
Your dashboard will open now.
Click on “Start New Application” button
Now, fill out the application form for seeking permission for film shooting across various States in India.
Upload documents – The application form for seeking State level and local permission will ask for the information/documents mentioned on the “Required Documents” section below.
The application form contains three sections such as Production Details, Line Producer and Shooting Details and you are required to fill each section one by one. (You can click the “Save Draft” button whenever you want, to continue the process at a later point of time)
After filling the necessary details and uploading all the documents in the first section – Production Details, click the “Next” button to go the second section – Line Producer.
After filling the necessary details and uploading all the documents in the second section – Line Producer, click the “Next” button to go the third section – Shooting Details.
After filling the necessary details and uploading all the documents in the third section – Shooting Details, click the “Submit” button. Or you can click the “Save Draft” button to save the filled in details and submit the application later.
After submitting the application, it will be sent to the appropriate State Nodal Officer/s, whose contact information will be sent to you.
Depending on your region, the State Nodal officer/s will contact you regarding the processing of your application and payment of costs. If the State/s do not respond, you may contact the FFO office for further information.
Once the permission has been granted for any State/UT, the Nodal Officer will upload the Permission letter to the FFO web portal.

Required DocumentsEdit

The application form for international filmmakers will ask the following documents/information

Detailed script and synopsis in case of a Feature Film, TV/Web show and series and detailed concept in case of TV/Web Reality shows and series.
The crew's passport information in tabular format, along with a copy of their passport.
Details on where and when the filming take place in India.
A list of equipment that will be temporarily imported to India for filming.
No Objection Letter – If any real person is portrayed as a character in the film, we recommend that you discuss the script with that person or his or her legal heirs before applying for authorization and obtaining a 'No Objection Letter.' This letter will speed up the clearance of your application while also protecting you from defamation or libel actions.
Co-Production - If you plan to shoot your film as an international co-production under the official treaty, you must upload a copy of the agreement between the foreign producer/production company and the Indian producer/production company, outlining each party's role, financial commitments, responsibilities and liabilities, and so on, in accordance with the respective co-production agreement.

Office Locations & ContactsEdit

Film FacilitationOffice
National Film Development Corporation
4th Floor, Soochna Bhavan, Phase-1
C.G.O. Complex, Lodhi Road
New Delhi – 110 003
Tel.: +91 1124367338
Email: [email protected]
Website Link

EligibilityEdit

The film producer (or) film director (or) any authorised person shall apply.

FeesEdit

To submit your application, you must submit an online application along with a processing cost of INR equivalent to USD 225.
Please keep in mind that the application processing fee is non-refundable and will not be refunded in any condition.

ValidityEdit

Your permission for shooting is valid till the last shooting date mentioned by you in the application.

Documents to UseEdit

Please attach documents that can be used by people. e.g. links

Sample DocumentsEdit

Please attach sample completed documents that would help other people.

Processing TimeEdit

Your permission to shoot will process within three-weeks for non-restricted area. However, you are advised to apply 30 days in advance.

InstructionsEdit

You cannot get blanket permission if you do not know where to film yet. Permits are date and location-based, which means that you should tell the FFO exactly when and where you would like to film. They cannot provide the permit without this information.
Co-production - If you intend to shoot your film with an international co-producer under the official treaty, you must apply for permission as an international project.
Following the completion of the shoot, the FFO shall seek and collect feedback from the applicants regarding their filming experience, including a request for information pertaining to shooting-related data. The applicant is required to submit the feedback form.
Following the release of the project, the FFO will seek trailer and high-resolution poster images of the film for display on the FFO Web portal, as well as other marketing collaterals that the FFO may create to promote filming in India.
The production must agree to include a ‘Filmed in India’ credit (for International films makers only) and the Film Facilitation Office logo in the project's final production rolling credits. The official FFO logo can be obtained from the Film Facilitation Office in New Delhi.
For the procedure for filming with animals, refer to the page of Animal Welfare Board of India here
For the procedure for aerial film shooting with drones, please refer to the page of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) here
Click here to view the guidelines of States for filming during COVID-19 pandemic.
An ecosystem of Nodal Officers has been established across various State Governments and Union Territories, as well as within key stakeholder Central Government Ministries/Departments (including the Animal Welfare Board of India, the Archaeological Survey of India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Airports Authority of India, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Ministry of Railways, Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs etc.) with a view to enable effective governmental collaborations, including the expediting of all shooting permits and the creation of a film-friendly environment throughout the country. The portal provides information on the assigned Nodal Officer for the respective State/Union Territory, as well as its filming policies/guidelines, shooting locations, and other filmic and non-filmic information.

Required InformationEdit

Below are the details required for creating an account on FFO website:

Type of production - International/Indian (Choose “Indian” for domestic filmmakers and “International” for International filmmakers)
Foreign national or local representative
First name & Last name
Organization/Production company name
Country
Address
Town/city
State
Postal code
Mobile number
Phone number
Email ID
Create your password
Confirm your password by typing it again

The application form for seeking permission across various States contains three sections which need to be filled one by one:

Production Details
Line Producer
Shooting Details

Here are the details you need to fill on the Production Details section:

Title
Production Category
Language
Production Name
Organization/Production Company Name
Email
Contact No
Country
State
Address
Postal Code
Company Identification Number
PAN number
Upload synopsis (in English)
Upload cover letter (to be printed on company letter head) Click here to download sample format
Name of the director
GST NO.
Upload company registration certificate (in case foreign entity)
In which states do you want to shoot? (Mention all the states where you want to shoot)

Here are the details you need to fill on the Line Producer section:

Choose either Service Company/Individual
Name/Company Name
Address
Email ID
Contact Number
Upload PAN
Upload Aadhaar

Here are the details you need to fill on the Shooting Details section:

Shooting location details (Mandatory)
- Select the State
- Enter City
- Enter Place
Description of sequence to be shot
Period of shooting (From date – To date)
Upload equipment details (click here to download sample format)
Cast & crew details (including lead artist)
Name
Designation
Nationality
PAN (for Indians) / Passport (for non-Indians)
You can click the “plus symbol” to Add/Remove a person
Select additional shooting requirements by clicking the check box
Animals
Arms & Ammunition
Crowd
Police Protection
Set/Structure
Unit Vehicle
Others (If you want to specify any major activity that needs to be highlighted, click this checkbox and write your details on the text box which appears underneath.)

If you like to add more locations, please click the “Add More Locations” button at the bottom right corner and fill the above details again for the next location.

Need for the DocumentEdit

Permission for shooting films is necessary as the shooting process may cause disturbance to the public. For instance, it may cause traffic jams, gathering of large number of people in public places, etc. So, it is indeed necessary for you to seek the permission from the appropriate authorities in India before shooting your film in a particular State/UT in India.
The permission letter issued by the Ministry of I&B, Government of India, will help you obtain permission from other local authorities, which may need to be obtained directly from these authorities in some cases.

Information which might helpEdit

Modifications in international film maker’s application for seeking permission for film shooting across various States -

Modifications to the cast/crew, list of equipment, location, and so on can be made online via the ‘Modify Application' link on your dashboard. Certain sections of the application, however, such as the title, script, synopsis, and whether the film is based on a deceased person, cannot be changed without the FFO's approval. You can request a change to FFO by clicking on the ‘Modify Application' link and selecting the section that needs to be changed. Changes may be made after the FFO has approved them.
In the case of an international co-production under the official treaty, if the co-production company/organization changes, you must notify FFO and reapply. The same thing will be treated as if it were a completely new application. The preceding application will be deemed null and void.
When a liaison officer is so closely associated with a shooting team, the Government of India will cover his expenses. In exceptional circumstances, you may be required to show the completed film to a representative of the Government of India, either in India or at an Indian Mission abroad, prior to its release anywhere in the world to ensure that the film was shot in accordance with the evaluated script and that the film contains nothing objectionable in terms of presenting a correct and balanced perspective
Please make sure your project is a Feature Film, TV/Web show or series, or Reality TV/Web show or series. Documentary films, AV commercials, and music videos are not accepted by FFO.

External LinksEdit

Film Facilitation Office
FAQs Please refer to the FAQ page on FFO website for more information regarding temporary import of equipment, permit for filming in monuments and other queries.
Contact FFO
Step by step guide for Indian & Int. filmmakers

OthersEdit

More information which might help people.