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The Communiqué News

Announcement of 'Work in Progress' (WIP), 'Film Bazaar Recommends' (FBR), and 'Student Producer Workshop Pitch Awards' at Film Bazaar 2024


French Institute of India Honoured for Its Continued Efforts in Promoting French Delegates' Participation in Film Bazaar


Acclaimed Casting Director Mukesh Chhabra Announces Collaboration with Film Bazaar on Two Co-Production Market Projects


Swati Bhat

18th edition of NFDC film bazaar

Film Bazaar 2024, held as part of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, concluded on a high note, celebrating cinematic innovation and global collaboration. Organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the event brought together industry leaders, emerging filmmakers, and international partners to foster creativity and new ventures in the film industry.

Key highlights at the Film Bazaar during the International Film Festival of India included Mukesh Chhabra’s announcement of his collaboration of two projects in Co-Production Market (CPM) projects, offering his casting expertise at no cost. Film Bazaar also unveiled new partnerships with Final Draft, Film Independent Episodic Writing Workshop, and SAAVA & ATF IP Accelerator.

The Work in Progress (WIP) Awards recognized films like Kaatti Ri Raatti: Hunter’s Moon and Shape of Momo with significant post-production support. In the Film Bazaar Recommends (FBR) category, three films received Rs. 3 lakh in sponsorship and promotional benefits. Deadly Dosas by Anusree Kelat won the Student Producer Workshop Pitch Award.

The newly introduced Co-Production Market Feature Cash Grants saw Kurinji (The Disappearing Flower) win First Prize. The French Institute of India was honoured for its role in promoting French participation. The event closed with a teaser for WAVES 2025, setting the stage for another year of ground-breaking achievements in Film Bazaar.







The Bihar pavilion at the 53rd IFFI has called out the budding filmmakers to explore the historical, archaeological, cultural and natural heritage of the land of Buddha and Mahavira.


Swati Bhat

This year at IFFI, as an initiative, several state governments have installed their pavilion at the Film Bazaar to promote film-making industry in the states. States such as Manipur, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Delhi and Puducherry have installed their respective pavilions.

Shri. Anurag Singh Thakur, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting had visited the Bihar pavilion at the inauguration.

Earlier, renowned actor Mr. Pankaj Tripathi who inaugurated the Pavilion of Bihar, was delighted to see his home state being represented at IFFI. He said that the state has immense film-making potential which needs to be harnessed.

Smt. Bandana Preyashi, a Bihar government official said, the state government has taken several initiatives to attract film-makers for shootings in Bihar. She talked about the improved security scenario and availability of rapid connectivity and robust infrastructure.

A state government official present at the ‘Explore Bihar’ pavilion said that there is the need to break the stereotype of Bihar as a poverty-stricken state. Actually, the infrastructure of Bihar has grown by manifold in terms of rail, road or air connectivity and other forms of infrastructure. ‘Explore Bihar’ pavilion highlights the fact that several renowned actors, directors, technicians of mainstream film industry have their origin in Bihar.

It is expected that the accomplished film-makers, actors who have migrated from Bihar and established themselves in mainstream Bollywood industry or other regional film industry shall be inspired to return to their homeland and contribute in establishment of robust film-making industry.

The pavilion highlights cultural, natural and archaeological wonders such as Sonepur cattle fair which is the largest cattle fair of Asia and the Harmandir Takht Shri Patna Sahib which is one of the holiest pilgrimages for the Sikh community.

The pavilion also highlights the heritage of film-making in Bihar. Some of the most iconic scenes in Richard Attenborough’s Oscar-winning ‘Gandhi’ were filmed at the centuries-old Patna Collectorate.

The iconic song ‘O Mere Raja’ from the movie ‘Johny Mera Naam (1970)’ was shot at various spots of Rajgir.

‘Manjhi -the Mountain Man (2015)’, the critically acclaimed Hindi language biographical film is based on Dasarath Manjhi who was a poor labourer from Gaya, Bihar.

Several scenes of ‘India’s Most Wanted’ have been shot in Patna, it is a 2019 Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, and starring Arjun Kapoor.

Recently, a film titled ‘Grinding Humanity’ has been entirely shot in Bihar. ‘Grinding Humanity’ is a 2022 Hindi-language film directed by Ruchin Veena Chainpuri.

The department of Art, Culture and Youth of the Government of Bihar would soon publish the Bihar State Filmmaking policy. The policy, among other things, would include a ‘Single Window Clearance mechanism’ which would help the film-makers to get different permits in little time.



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