New Delhi, May 4 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee on Sunday said that the government is planning to set up a centre for animation, start an initiative to preserve Indian cinema and create a channel of communication to enable smooth entry of foreign directors to shoot in India.

“Government of India is taking a number of steps for strengthening and promoting Indian cinema and the film industry. The government is planning to set up a national centre of excellence for animation, gaming, and visual effects.

"A national film heritage mission is to be undertaken by the national film archives of India for conservation/preservation, restoration and digitisation of films made in the country.

"The government also proposes to set up a film facilitation unit which will act as a facilitation point for filmmakers and production houses from foreign countries to enable them come to India and shoot their films in India,” Mukherjee said at the 62nd National Film Awards ceremony here.

The president noted that he hopes the steps will boost growth of Indian cinema.

"I am confident these measures will provide significant impetus to the growth of our film industry," he said.