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Teri Schwartz, dean of the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television (UCLA TFT), one of the world's most prominent academic institutions for entertainment and performing arts education, and Eros International Plc (NYSE: EROS) ("Eros"), a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry, announced today the creation of the Eros International Graduate Scholarship Fund.  The scholarship includes three new full-ride graduate scholarships for UCLA TFT's Master of Fine Arts programs in Directing, Producing and Screenwriting designed "to give voice to the unique perspective of Indian women."  The Eros International Graduate Scholarship Fund recipients will begin their M.F.A. graduate program at UCLA TFT starting fall 2017.

Commenting on the development, Kishore Lulla, Group Executive Chairman, Eros International, said, "With Eros' roots in entertainment, we are very excited to forge this association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television and work together in helping contribute to the world of cinema and entertainment. It's our endeavor to offer the finest content and we are always seeking opportunities to promote upcoming talent in the field of entertainment."

"It is our privilege to be associated with an acclaimed and prestigious entity like the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, one of the highest ranking film schools in the United States," added Manju Lulla, Executive Director of Eros International, Plc. "We are honored to support UCLA TFT in their exceptional contributions to academia. We believe strongly in the power of storytelling and are extremely happy to create opportunities for bright, talented and creative individuals to voice their unique perspective of Indian women on a global platform."

"We could not be more excited and honored to have created this special partnership with Eros International and the Lulla family," stated Schwartz. "Their vision to create a better world by giving voice to the unique perspective of Indian women is a transformational and deeply generous one.  We are very proud and thankful to be the home for this magnificent gift that will help to create a new generation of remarkable storytellers and industry leaders both here, in India and for the world.  The Lulla family's friendship and their great support for UCLA TFT and our amazing students mean the world to all of us."

The UCLA TFT four-year M.F.A. graduate directing program is devised to develop artists in film, television and digital media with an emphasis on humanistic visual storytelling. The program is focused on the power of story to not only delight and entertain, but to enlighten, engage and inspire change for a better world.  The two-year M.F.A. graduate producing program is designed for creative individuals who wish to pursue careers as creative producers and executives in the entertainment industry.   The two-year M.F.A. graduate screenwriting program encourages students to concentrate upon the challenge of writing a well-structured story inhabited by vivid, compelling characters.  The elements of character, dialogue, scene, setting, texture, style and tone are explored through an intensive workshop process. Prominent alumni in the industry from these programs include Shane Acker, Ana Lily Amirpour, Beth Behrs, Dustin Lance Black, Jack Black, Shane Black, Carol Burnett, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, Channing Dungey, James Franco, Sasha Gervasi, Alex Gibney, Mariska Hargitay, Marielle Heller, Felicia D. Henderson, Justin Lin, Gil Kenan, Frank Marshall, Gregory Nava, Alexander Payne, John Rando, Rob Reiner, Tim Robbins, Eric Roth, Joe Russo, Paul Schrader, Ed Solomon, Brad Siberling, Darren Star, George Takei, Gore Verbinski and DreamWorks CEO Michael Wright.

Eros International is a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry, which co-produces, acquires and distributes Indian language films in multiple formats worldwide. Formed in 1977 to export Indian films to the world, the Company now has a worldwide presence, distributing more than 65 Indian films in over 50 countries and 25 different languages each year, both dubbed and subtitled. In 2012, riding the digital wave, Eros launched ErosNow, the company's on-demand entertainment platform providing the very best of Indian entertainment — movies, television, music and upcoming originals to consumers worldwide.

Posted: June 2, 2016