The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will soon turn Goa into a vibrant cultural center, running from November 20 to 28, 2024. Parallelly, the 18th Film Bazaar will unfold from November 20 to 24 at the Marriott Resort, offering filmmakers a platform to present their work to the international film community. This year’s Film Bazaar will feature 208 films in its Viewing Room, including 145 feature films, 23 mid-length films, and 30 short films, aiming to bridge the gap between South Asian filmmakers and the global film industry.
The Viewing Room provides a valuable space for films that are complete or in post-production, helping filmmakers secure potential distribution deals, funding, and partnerships. From November 21 to 24, the Viewing Room will host an array of films seeking opportunities with film programmers, distributors, sales agents, and investors from around the world. The lineup also includes 12 feature and mid-length films produced or co-produced by NFDC and 10 restored classics from the NFDC-NFAI archives.
In addition, the Film Bazaar Recommends (FBR) list will highlight 27 selected projects, including 19 feature films, 3 mid-length films, 2 short films, and 3 restored classics. These projects, chosen for their creative vision and storytelling, will have a chance to pitch to industry experts in an open session, offering filmmakers a direct line to producers, festival programmers, sales agents, and potential investors.
Prithul Kumar, NFDC Managing Director, expressed enthusiasm for the FBR selection, emphasizing its role in empowering filmmakers. “This initiative is not just about recognition; it’s about empowering storytellers to share their visions with the world,” Kumar said.
The Viewing Room at Film Bazaar operates as a restricted B2B platform where vetted international buyers can connect directly with filmmakers through an exclusive software system, designed to foster engagement between sellers (filmmakers) and buyers (programmers, distributors, and sales agents). Film Bazaar is positioned as a vital bridge between South Asian films and international markets, supporting the growth and visibility of the region’s cinematic talent on a global scale.
