Tag: international collaboration

Events in Goa

WAVES Film Bazaar Launches in Goa, Celebrates Global Filmmaking Collaboration

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The WAVES Film Bazaar, South Asia’s premier global film market, officially opened today at the Marriott Resort in Panjim, Goa, with a vibrant inaugural ceremony attended by distinguished leaders, policymakers, filmmakers, and international delegates. Held annually alongside the International Film Festival of India, the 19th edition of the Bazaar, now rebranded as WAVES Film Bazaar, serves as a global hub for filmmakers, producers, sales agents, festival programmers, and distributors seeking creative and financial partnerships. Scheduled from November 20th to 24th, the market features 300 film projects and welcomes delegations from over seven countries.

Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, inaugurated the event, describing the Bazaar as a “complete ecosystem of screenings, masterclasses, and technology showcases.” Highlighting the market’s alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of “converting art into commerce,” he emphasized the world’s first e-marketplace for filmmakers, which facilitates collaboration between creators and countries. Shri Jaju also noted the curated projects, cash grants, and structured feedback mechanisms, alongside India’s first-ever AI Film Festival and Hackathon as key milestones in embracing the future of cinematic technology.

Guest of Honour Ms. Jaewon Kim, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, lauded the organisers’ dedication since the festival’s inception and expressed hope for strong India-Korea collaborations. She added a memorable moment by performing a soulful rendition of Vande Mataram, earning a standing ovation from the audience. Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, praised the Bazaar for empowering young storytellers and new voices, highlighting the participation of 124 new creators this year. He described the event as a bridge connecting creators and producers while projecting Indian culture and content on the global stage. Additional Secretary Shri Prabhat delivered the vote of thanks, rounding off a ceremony that celebrated creativity and industry leadership.

The inaugural event was further enriched by the presence of IFFI Festival Director and acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, actors Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna and Shri Anupam Kher, Jerome Paillard, Advisor to Waves Bazaar, Australian film director Garth Davis, and Shri Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of NFDC. Together, they underscored the Bazaar’s role as a dynamic confluence of artistic vision, innovation, and global collaboration, setting the tone for an inspiring and transformative week of cinematic exchange.

Entertainment

Sydney Sweeney Reportedly Offered ₹530 Crore Deal for Bollywood Debut in Mega-Budget Film

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Hollywood’s rising star Sydney Sweeney might soon shine in Indian cinema, as reports suggest she has been offered a record-breaking ₹530 crore (£45 million) deal to appear in one of Bollywood’s most expensive films ever produced.

According to a report by The Sun, a leading Indian production house has approached the actor with a package comprising:

  • £35 million (₹415 crore) fee
  • £10 million (₹115 crore) sponsorship agreements

Producers believe Sydney’s international appeal will help the film expand its reach beyond Indian audiences, making it a global cinematic event.

The film, expected to begin shooting in early 2026, is planned across multiple international locations including New York, Paris, London, and Dubai. The storyline reportedly revolves around a young American star who falls in love with an Indian celebrity, blending cross-cultural romance with global appeal.

An industry insider revealed:

“Sydney was shocked by the offer at first — £45 million is an incredible sum. But the project is intriguing, and it could elevate her global profile even further. The Indian film industry is powerful and growing, and this movie is designed to bring its productions to the international market.”

While the actor is currently balancing several projects in Hollywood, this opportunity could mark a defining step in her career.

“Nothing has been decided yet, but it’s a huge opportunity. Sydney is weighing her options carefully,” added the source.

If confirmed, this collaboration would mark one of the biggest Hollywood-Bollywood crossovers in film history, signaling the growing influence of Indian cinema on the global stage.

EduConnect

Vibrant Goa Foundation Hosts High-Level Zimbabwe Delegation for Education and Innovation Exchange

Tanisha Cardozo

Vibrant Goa Foundation, as part of its flagship Global Knowledge Outreach initiative, played host to a high-level educational delegation from Zimbabwe on the 8th of September, marking a significant milestone in fostering global collaborations in the fields of education, technology, and innovation. The visiting delegation was led by Mr. Moses Mhike, Permanent Secretary in Zimbabwe’s Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, accompanied by Mrs. Olicah Kaira, Chief Director – Primary, Secondary and Non-Formal Education, and Mrs. Ashell Ruswa, CEO of Errymaple Group of Schools in Zvishavane. The visit was coordinated by Mr. Yogesh Kerkar, Managing Director of Qurious Minds, an emerging force in global educational exchange and innovation consulting.

The event, held as an Educational Round Table, brought together an array of influential voices from Goa’s academic and innovation ecosystem. Representing the Vibrant Goa Foundation were trustees Mr. Rajkumar Kamat, Mr. Arman Bankley, Mr. Manoj Patil, Mr. Vinay Verma, Mr. Rasik Naik, Mr. Dinesh Dhulapkar, Mr. Ajay Gramopadhya, Mr. Gautam Kharangate, and Mr. Milind Anvekar. Also participating were eminent representatives from Goa University, Don Bosco College of Engineering, Dhempo College, MES College, Directorate of Higher Education, Goa Institute of Management, Government Polytechnic and other leading institutions, making this gathering a truly collaborative one.

The discussions were vibrant and focused on a broad range of educational themes including the adoption of EdTech tools, STEM learning, GIS, Robotics, Drones, Learning Management Systems, and ICT solutions. The Zimbabwean delegation expressed deep appreciation for Goa’s forward-looking efforts in integrating technology at the school and university levels. The event served as a dynamic platform to explore synergies and initiate meaningful collaborations between Zimbabwe’s education system and Goa’s innovation-driven institutions.

A highlight of the discussion was the mutual recognition of the potential for long-term partnership, with Mr. Moses Mhike acknowledging the practical and strategic value of the knowledge shared during the visit. He emphasized that Zimbabwe sees Goa as a potential partner in transforming its own educational landscape. Adding to the momentum, Mr. Yogesh Kerkar noted that Qurious Minds has already embarked on a collaborative project with a Zimbabwean entity—evidence of how dialogues are translating into action.

The delegation also took note of the recent success of the Amazing Goa Summit, which further cemented Goa’s image as a global hub for innovation, education, and entrepreneurship. Mr. Rajkumar Kamat concluded the session with a forward-looking invitation to the delegates to participate in the forthcoming Global Tech Summit and Global Business Expo & Summit 2026.

This initiative reflects Vibrant Goa Foundation’s vision of driving Goa’s global engagement, supporting startups and educational institutions to expand internationally, and creating a vibrant ecosystem of innovation-led growth. The collaboration with Zimbabwe stands as a model for future partnerships, enabling the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and innovation that transcends borders.

EduConnect

BITS Pilani Goa Faculty Selected for Prestigious Management Program in Germany

allycaralgoa

Goa – July 3, 2025: In a significant academic achievement, Dr. Saurabh C. Patankar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, has been selected for the Rhineland-Palatinate (RLP) Management Program 2025 in Germany. The program is a globally recognized platform for young professionals and researchers who have made impactful contributions in science, technology, and sustainability.

Dr. Patankar’s selection comes as a recognition of his innovative research and professional contributions in the fields of renewable energy, wastewater treatment, and green technologies—areas critical to global sustainable development.

Program Overview

Nominated through the International Programmes & Collaboration Division of BITS Pilani, Dr. Patankar will participate in a comprehensive program comprising:

  • A three-week training and professional immersion in Mainz, Germany from 25th August to 14th September 2025.
  • A six-week collaborative research project at Trier University, Birkenfeld, from 15th September to 31st October 2025.

The prestigious program is supported by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, which will sponsor accommodation, travel insurance, and a stipend of 2000 Euros to support the participant during the engagement.

Strengthening Global Academic Ties

The Rhineland-Palatinate Management Program fosters international academic and industry partnerships through immersive exchange and collaborative research, bridging the gap between innovation and real-world implementation. Dr. Patankar’s participation also strengthens BITS Pilani’s commitment to global excellence, interdisciplinary research, and sustainable technology development.

In a statement, BITS Pilani expressed pride in the achievement, noting:

“We congratulate Dr. Patankar for this well-deserved recognition and wish him great success in contributing to global sustainability through this international collaboration.”

This milestone reflects the institute’s vision to empower faculty members to engage in globally relevant research and forge partnerships that drive climate action, sustainable industrial development, and academic leadership.