International Indian Film Academy announces nominations for Idea IIFA Awards 2007

The nominations for the Idea IIFA Awards, Yorkshire were announced and released worldwide, in Mumbai by IIFA Brand Ambassador Mr. Amitabh Bachchan. It was also announced that the voting for the Idea IIFA Awards would be open to audiences of Indian Cinema all across the world. The Idea IIFA Awards would be held at the Hallam FM Arena, Sheffield as a climax of the IIFA Weekend. The IIFA Weekend is conceptualized and promoted across the world by Wizcraft International Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.

The announcement of the Nominations was done as a result of the industry voting for the Idea IIFA Awards in February. Results of the industry voting were audited by Price Waterhouse Coopers, the auditing firm for the IIFA’s and Oscars. The Voting by fans and supporters of Indian Cinema is now open on www.msn.co.in and www.indya.com that begins from April 3rd 2007 and continues till the end of May, 2007. The results of the online voting would determine the winners of the IDEA IIFA awards.


Yorkshire will play host to the biggest stars of Indian Cinema, government office bearers, corporate heads and several Indian Film fans from all across the world. David Andrews, CEO, Yorkshire Tourist Board said, “We look forward to hosting the stalwarts of Indian Cinema in Yorkshire this June. The IIFA Weekend events in totality are expected to boost tourism in the host Yorkshire region by more than £9.5m and attract 28,000 visitors from all across the world.”


The IIFA Weekend is supported by Yorkshire Forward, Yorkshire Tourist Board and Yorkshire Culture its media partner Star TV, Education partner Leeds Metropolitan University, charity partners Oxfam and Global Cool with whom the IIFA’s will synergise to create an IIFA legacy.


The press conference in Mumbai also reiterated the announcement of the IIFA Bond for Global Cool that was launched at the Madame Tussauds in London last week. Mr. Bachchan signed the bond along with actress Sienna Miller. The IIFA Bond for Global Cool addresses the issue of climate change across the world and this issue will be addressed and advocated through the IIFA global campaign this year and especially during the IIFA Weekend Yorkshire and the IDEA IIFA Awards.


The IIFA campaign on Global warming will be the first effort from India to highlight the issue and educate people about what they can do. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Amitabh Bachchan said. “Global Cool and IIFA are using a credible global platform to address the issue of Global Warming and taking this endeavor to make people aware that climate change is a reality and we have the power to preserve our planet. It’s not just about an awards function.. It’s about India and its high profile and hugely popular film industry focusing the world and India’s attention on climate change, because it’s a serious issue and affects us all. ”


The IIFA Bond for Global Cool allows IIFA fans and supporters across the world to join the movement that brings together “The People versus Global Warming”. People visiting the websites of www.iifa.com and www.globalcool.org will have the opportunity to pledge to take the simple actions that will make their lifestyles more eco-efficient. They will be given a “My CO2 score card” and when their commitment reaches a saving of one tonne of CO2, will be given the “IIFA Bond for Global Cool” which enjoins them with the celebrities who are campaigning for Global Cool and gives access to Global Cool’s online community of film, music and other entertainment.


Wiz Sabbas Joseph, Director Wizcraft spoke to the media about this is a unique campaign tool, “The IIFA and Global Cool Initiative has been taken to address the very pertinent issue of Global Warming, which is affecting every human being. Global Cool and IIFA are using a credible global platform to address these issues and make people aware that climate change is a reality and we have the power to preserve our planet. Be a Planet Saver Today- Join the IIFA Bond for Global Cool!”


IIFA also continues its association with Star TV, the worldwide broadcast partners of the IIFA Awards in Yorkshire. The IIFA Weekend includes the high-profile global business forum, a celebrity charity cricket match, world premieres of Indian films, a film festival and the spectacular Idea IIFA Awards which are broadcast by Star Television network reaching out to a global audience in excess of 500 million viewers. Speaking to the media, Mr. Ajay Vidyasagar, Vice President, Star TV India said, “We are delighted to again come together with IIFA to bring you the IIFA Weekend on Star TV. As the No.1 general entertainment channel in India, we look forward to bringing all our viewers excellent programming before the weekend and above all, the star studded Idea IIFA Awards in June.”


The IIFA Weekend will be from June 7th to June 10th in Yorkshire. The IIFA Weekend includes the high-profile FICCI IIFA global business forum, a celebrity charity cricket match, world premieres of Indian films, a film festival and the spectacular Idea IIFA Awards which are broadcast by Star Television network reaching out to a global audience in excess of 500 million viewers.