Hummingbird News Desk
NEW DELHI, 20 NOV: In a vibrant inauguration ceremony held at the Marriott Resort in Goa today, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Youth Affairs & Sports, Anurag Singh Thakur, marked the commencement of the 17th Film Bazaar, the largest South Asian film market. The minister hailed the event as a thriving marketplace of ideas, bringing together filmmakers, producers, and storytellers from across the globe.
As the minister addressed the gathering, he emphasized the significance of the film bazaar as a convergence of creativity and commerce, highlighting its pivotal role in fostering the growth of the Indian media & entertainment industry. With an annual growth rate of 20%, this industry stands as the fifth-largest and most globalized in the world, a testament to India’s cinematic prowess.
Mr Thakur underlined the Film Bazaar’s evolution into one of Asia’s biggest film markets, transcending borders and becoming an integral part of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). He revealed that this year’s selection of films encompasses a diverse mix of fiction, docu-shorts, documentaries, horror films, and an animated feature, touching upon universal themes such as the diaspora, patriarchy, urban angst, extreme poverty, climate crisis, nationalism, sports, and fitness.
The Minister also proudly presented the co-production market, featuring twelve documentaries from seven countries exploring life in 17 different languages. He described it as a journey into the heart of reality through the lens of filmmakers.
A significant addition to this year’s event is the “Book to Box Office” component, aligning with the Prime Minister’s call for ease of doing business. This feature will showcase 59 submissions seamlessly transitioning from books to screens, promoting innovation in storytelling.
In parallel, Mr Thakur inaugurated the Google Arts and Culture Hindi exhibit, an online hub showcasing images and short videos from Hindi films, adding a digital dimension to the cinematic celebration.
Highlighting the technological advancements in filmmaking, the minister announced the newly curated “VFX & Tech Pavilion” at the Film Bazaar. This pavilion aims to make filmmakers aware of the latest innovations, encouraging them to explore new storytelling possibilities beyond traditional methods.
The Film Bazaar serves as a platform for the official selection of feature-length projects in the Co-Production Market, featuring filmmakers from India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, USA, UK, Singapore, Germany, France, Poland, Luxembourg, and Israel. These filmmakers will have the opportunity to pitch their projects to international and Indian producers, distributors, festival programmers, financiers, and sales agents.
Initiated by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the Film Bazaar has grown into South Asia’s largest film market, bridging the gap between local filmmakers and global producers and distributors. As the event unfolds, it promises to be a melting pot of cinematic brilliance, fostering collaborations and pushing the boundaries of storytelling on the global stage.
Tags: #AnuragThakur #FilmBazaar #Goa #IFFI
