Key figures from the Indian film industry will be encouraged to consider Yorkshire for future Bollywood locations during their visit to the International Indian Film Academy awards.

The region's potential will be showcased at an event organised by regional film agency Screen Yorkshire.

Indian producers and directors have been invited to Harewood House to meet representatives of Yorkshire's film and television industry, with the aim of showcasing the county and its filming heritage.

Those attending include Keith Richardson, head of drama at Yorkshire Television, and Piers Tempest, Skipton-born producer of the film Like Minds, starring Toni Collette and shot at locations including Bradford Grammar School, Woodhouse Grove and the former High Royds hospital.

Around 30,000 visitors are expected to pour into Yorkshire for this week's four-day Bollywood Oscars extravaganza.' Celebrations will be held in Bradford and other cities, with events including a spectacular Bollywood show in Centenary Square beamed to a global audience of 500 million in 110 countries.

The awards, held in Sheffield, will be broadcast live on the BBC Big Screen in Centenary Square on Saturday from 7pm. There will also be footage of stars including Celebrity Big Brother winner Shilpa Shetty and Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan arriving on the red carpet.

After the IIFA awards, crowds will be treated to dance extravaganza Bollywood Steps, in front of City Hall. It also takes place on Friday at 9.30pm and Saturday at 3pm.

Yorkshire beat the likes of New York and Barcelona to land the 2007 IIFA Weekend. The bid was undertaken by Yorkshire Tourist Board with the support of Yorkshire Forward. The event is expected to generate £10 million of tourism spending. Yorkshire Forward Board member Linda Pollard said the event would have an economic boost for the region.

Events in Bradford include: l a city centre bazaar on Thursday and Friday, 9am to 5pm, Saturday, 9am to 10pm l screenings of Bollywood blockbusters, with English subtitles, on the Big Screen, Thursday to Saturday l a fun day at Bradford Moor park on Saturday, 11.30am to 5pm l The Trouble With Asian Men, a play based on interviews with Bradford Asians, at the Alhambra Studio, Tuesday and Wednesday l the IIFA Film Festival, showing Bollywood classics, a Salman Khan Film Festival and celebrity appearances at the National Media Museum, Thursday to Sunday l also at the museum, film-making and scriptwriting workshops and a tribute to legendary director Satyajit Ray on Friday, and Celebrating Indian Cinema exhibition exploring the colour, romance, songs and stars of 50 years of Bollywood movies.

Visit www.iifa.com. Extra tickets are on sale for the ceremony at Sheffield's Hallam FM Arena on (0114) 256 5656 or www.hallamfmarena.co.uk.