'The Gateway' Bali Film Promotion Board boasts the benefits of filming in Bali

Exhibiting in New York City at The Shoot Commercial Production Forum in mid-October, 'The Gateway' Bali Film Promotion Board is promoting to international production and entertainment companies the Indonesian island as the ideal filming location and event destination.

At the Forum, The Gateway will present the benefits of filming and hosting events on the island to a highly focused audience of industry leaders, agents, producers, directors, promoters, organizers, and TV production heads.

Sponsored by Singapore Airlines, GWK Cultural Park, Padi Films, Balitravex and the Indonesia Culture and Tourism Board, The Gateway will showcase award-winning underwater footage, television commercials, feature and documentary films shot throughout Bali and surrounding islands in Indonesia.

"In the past year alone, permits have been issued for more than 35 film and television productions to be shot on the island, not including the numerous entertainment events hosted here," said Dr. I Gede Pitana, Director of Bali Tourism Authority (BTA). "Seeing the need to create a local office to professionally assist these production companies, Deborah Gabinetti, an American and long-time resident in Indonesia, helped establish a film board under the BTA," Pitana said.

Ms. Gabinetti and other principles in The Gateway have more than 35 years combined experience in television, film and theater production; international print media, media and public relations.

"This exhibition allows us the perfect opportunity to promote the diverse destinations available throughout the archipelago, support the emerging local film industry, while creating an internationally respected agency," said Ms. Gabinetti.

Established April 2002, The Gateway assists film crews with location scouting, equipment and facilities rental, multi-lingual talent and crew hire, research and scriptwriting, publicity and promotional campaigns. With full government support, The Gateway facilitates permits, visas, customs and immigration clearances for visiting film companies by easing the struggle through red tape that many production companies previously found too complicated.

Craig Moffit, Director, Streetcar Productions Inc., said after recently filming in six Asian countries for the series Pan Asia, "Indonesia was definitely one of the best locations in our entire trip. It was well organized, easy to shoot, the people were great, the food fantastic and the weather was, in a word, spectacular."

Other recent Gateway projects included Bali Camp for Deutsche-Welle TV, Germany; Freestyle Holiday,s Australia; A Taste of Travel, Pixcom Canada; and Toshiba Hi-Vision, Japan. The next two months the island will host Jet Set for BBC, UK; Wild On for E!Entertainment, USA; a feature film crew from India; plus headline music entertainment from the UK and Japan.

Belonging to the largest archipelago nation, with 17,508 islands in the most highly volcanic region in the world, Bali has miles and miles of white and black sand beaches. Having over 2 million international visitors annually, activities range from whitewater rafting, surfing, paragliding and championship golf, to cultural attractions including traditional dance and music performances, ancient sacred Hindu temples and palace ruins.