MUMBAI: Frames 2003, billed as Asia's biggest convention on the business of entertainment, will reflect on the future direction for the mantra of corporatisation and convergence. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) sponsored convention will be held between14-16 March 2003. It will aim to protect and enhance the true potential of India's entertainment industry and its international dimensions.
A statement issued on 29 January 2003 states that the I&B minister will inaugurate Frames 2003 followed by special addresses by the Maharashtra chief minister Sushilkumar Shinde and BJP part general secretary Pramod Mahajan.
Frames 203 will offer a platform for discussions, debates on broadcasting changes and opportunities for conducting business confabulations. The speakers include UK government secretary of state (cabinet rank), department for culture, media and sports Rt hon Tessa Jowell MP;
CNN president Chris Cramer; Columbia Tristar International Television president Michael Grindon; UK Film Council CEO John Woodward; Turner Broadcasting president Steve Marcopoto; BBC MD Dr Patrick Cross; Little Bird UK MD Jonathan Cavendish; Motion Picture Association International, HK V P & director Michael.C Ellis; Robert Turner; and Hyde Park Entertainment chairman Ashok Amritraj amongst others.
At the convention curtain raiser held in Mumbai on 29 January 2003, FICCI Frames 2003 chairman Yash Chopra stated that the 2003 convention had been extended by a day as "it has become bigger and bigger with every passing year". The organising committee will probe opportunities in new markets in South East Asia.
The convention will have its share of glamour with local and global stars such as Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Kamal Haasan, Bernando Betrolucci and Dev Anand addressing the inaugural session.
The highlights of Frames 2003 are as follows:
* Biggest global convention in Asia covering the entire gamut of entertainment industry. 
* The only of its kind in India, one of the fastest growing markets for the entertainment industry. 
* All global conglomerates like Sony, AOL - Time Warner, News Corp, Vivendi- Universal, Viacom with presence in India have participated at FRAMES. 
* Thoughtfully structured interactive plenary and business sessions with the best minds from global and the Indian entertainment industry. 
* Participation by Indian and global entertainment conglomerates. 
* Country specific business delegations from UK, USA, France, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Canada, Hong Kong, South Africa, Italy, Fiji, China. 
* Presence of large numbers of financial institutions, banks, equity investors, VCs, facilitating fructification of ideas. 
* Opportunity to meet and discuss policy issues with the key government officials. 
* Research reports on industry status, alternative financing options and legal framework. 
* Exhibition and showcasing of technology. 
* Opportunities to network and form business alliances with more than 1500 delegates from across the entire spectrum of media and the entertainment industry. 
* Gala night and networking dinner.
A special conference by the e-entertainment alliance - FICCI, NASSSCOM, TIE - will be held on 13 March. Reliance Entertainment chairman Amit Khanna heads e-entertainment alliance.