B.C. bids to host Indian Film Academy Awards in Vancouver

British Columbia is bidding to host the 14th annual International Indian Film Academy Awards in Vancouver in 2013, as part of the premier's plan to boost the provincial economy.

Premier Christy Clark made the announcement Sunday after touring Film City in Mumbai, India, which she visited as part of a large trade mission through Asia. 

The three-day IIFA awards event was held in Toronto this year and B.C.'s Tourism Ministry says it generated $100 million in worldwide advertising. The Ontario government spent approximately $12 million to bring the festival to Toronto this summer.

Clark says bringing the awards to B.C. creates the opportunity to present the province to 700 million viewers, and would bring in about 40,000 visitors.

She says it would also create jobs within the local film and digital media industry, which has already benefited as a setting for at least three Indian films since 1997. 

The Canadian Indian Business Council and the Surrey Board of Trade are assisting the province in developing its bid.