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IIFA not going to Vancouver in 2013

The bidding process for the awards is on with a number of countries from the Middle East and Europe vying for the Bollywood extravaganza

IANS
Published: 11:12 January 21, 2013

The 14th edition of the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards will not be held in Vancouver, as was announced earlier.

The bid from the British Columbia government on behalf of Vancouver was rejected for 2013, said a statement from IIFA organisers, Wizcraft International.

The bidding process for the awards is currently on with a number of countries from the Middle East, South America, Europe and Africa vying for the Bollywood extravaganza to come to their city.

“The decision is subject to many contributing factors that are required of a host destination in terms of support-initiatives for Hindi cinema production, funding and distribution; event-funding, support, facilitation, and infrastructure,” said Sabbas Joseph, director, IIFA and Wizcraft International.

“We are committed to the film Industry and hosting an IIFA in any destination must meet the larger interests of Indian cinema and a spectacular-staging of the annual celebration,” he added.

The dates and venue for the 2013 edition of the IIFA Weekend and Awards will be formally announced soon.

In 2011, IIFA successfully forayed into North America, marking its premiere in Canada, in the city of Toronto. Following its success there, there was keen interest from the country to play host once more in 2013, with Christy Clark, the Premier of British Columbia formally extending an invitation to the organisers to hold its 14th edition in Vancouver.

Over the years, IIFA has already been to destinations like London, Yorkshire, Johannesburg, Dubai, Amsterdam, Singapore, Bangkok, Colombo and Macau.