Tag: NFDC

Events in Goa, IFFI 2025

Waves Film Bazaar 2025 Concludes with Momentum at the 56th IFFI; Expanded Edition Announced for 2026

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The Waves Film Bazaar 2025 concluded with a vibrant closing ceremony at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), marking the end of five impactful days of networking, innovation, and global cinematic exchange. The event gathered global filmmakers, producers, distributors, funders, and emerging creators, reaffirming its status as one of Asia’s most influential film industry platforms.

The ceremony saw the presence of esteemed dignitaries including Joint Secretaries of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting — Dr. Ajay Nagabhushan MN and Dr. K. K. Nirala, NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum, Waves Film Bazaar Advisor Jerome Paillard, IFFI Festival Director Shekhar Kapur, filmmakers Rajkumar Hirani and Sriram Raghavan, and internationally acclaimed actor Rachel Griffiths.

The event began with a solemn one-minute silence in honour of legendary actor Dharmendra, paying tribute to his monumental legacy in Indian cinema.

Momentum for 2026: An Expanded 20th Edition

In his opening remarks, Dr. Ajay Nagabhushan announced that the 20th edition of Waves Film Bazaar will return in an expanded and more ambitious format, reflecting the soaring global interest in Indian co-productions, script labs, and AI-driven filmmaking initiatives.

NFDC MD Prakash Magdum reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to nurturing independent minds, emphasizing the success of previously selected projects and the rising global footprint of Indian stories.

A wrap-up video capturing the festival’s highlights set the celebratory tone for the awards that followed.

Major Awards & Recognitions

Co-Production Market & Development Grants

  • Kakthet (Idiot) – First Co-Production Grant ($10,000)
  • Ulta (Madam) – Second Co-Production Grant ($5,000)
  • Simhastha Kumbh – Special Documentary Grant ($5,000)
  • The Manager, Azhi, Ustad Bantoo – Red Sea Fund Awards
  • Nazma Ka Tadka – Platoon One Script Development Grant
  • Teacher’s Pet, White Guy – Casting Company Awards
  • 7 to 7 – UCCN City of Film Best Project Award

Post-Production Lab Winners

Projects such as Khoriya, Azhi, The Ink Stained Hand and the Missing Thumb, Born Yesterday, Aakkaatti, and Khamosh Nazar Aate Hain received major post-production support from Nube Studios, Prasad Corporation, Moviebuff, and others.

Premiere GAP Funding & Distribution

  • Echoes of the Herd – Matchbox GAP Award
  • Soul Whispers – M5 Global Film Fund
  • Chingam – Reborn India Theatrical Distribution Award

AI Film Festival & CinemAI Hackathon: A Global First

Supported by LTIMindtree, the AI showcase attracted entries from more than 18 countries.

Award Highlights:

  • KYRA – Best AI Animation
  • The Cinema That Never Was – Most Innovative AI Film
  • Nagori – Best AI Short
  • Special Mentions: The Last Backup Final Part, Miracle on the Kachua Beach

The CinemAI Hackathon honoured excellence in:

  • Sound
  • Visuals
  • Storytelling
  • Innovation
  • Best AI Film — The Red Crayon

Spotlight on Emerging Talent

The Student Producer’s Workshop awarded upcoming creators including Kaashviy Ommkaar, Aniket Joshi, Radhika Kinare, Riya Varghese, and Sakshi Mishra, highlighting the promising next generation of Indian filmmakers.

The event concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks by Vineeta Mishra, Head of Waves Film Bazaar, followed by a celebratory stage appearance by the entire team. With powerful partnerships, visionary storytelling, and global engagement, Waves Film Bazaar 2025 sets the stage for an even bigger, bolder edition in 2026.

Events in Goa

NFDC Tableau Shines at the 56th IFFI Opening Parade in Goa

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The opening parade of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa delivered a stunning visual spectacle, featuring a vibrant mix of cultural troupes and creative entries from production houses across the country. Among these, the NFDC (National Film Development Corporation) tableau stood out as one of the most eye-catching and thoughtfully crafted highlights of the event.

This year’s NFDC tableau captured widespread admiration for its elegant design and engaging moving components. The centrepiece—a massive projector equipped with dynamic projection lights—brought an immersive visual energy to the parade. Through this striking installation, NFDC creatively portrayed the evolution and milestones of Indian cinema.

Widely regarded as an organisation that reshaped Indian filmmaking and pioneered the new wave cinema movement, NFDC used the tableau to beautifully narrate its cinematic journey. The display also integrated its aligned verticals—NMIC (National Museum of Indian Cinema) and NFAI (National Film Archive of India)—through seamless and artistic visual representation.

The content curation was led by Satyajit Mandle, DGM, NMIC, while the art direction and production design were executed by Mahendra Potadar, under the guidance of NFDC’s Managing Director Prakash Magdum.

Commanding attention for its creativity, sophistication, and storytelling depth, the NFDC tableau emerged as one of the most memorable and classy installations at the IFFI 56 parade, earning praise from visitors, filmmakers, and festival participants alike.

Events in Goa

NFDC & ESG Partner With PictureTime to Bring Inflatable Theatres to IFFI 2025; SRK Classics and Blockbusters Set for Special Screenings

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The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) is set to introduce an exciting new cinematic experience. In a landmark collaboration, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) have joined hands with mobile digital theatre innovator PictureTime Digiplex to install fully equipped inflatable theatres at the prestigious Kala Academy in Goa.

Known for revolutionising film access in underserved regions, PictureTime Digiplex brings its cutting-edge inflatable cinema technology to one of the world’s most respected film festivals. The 2025 edition of IFFI, scheduled from 20th to 28th November, will witness these portable theatres showcasing an exciting lineup across Inspirational Films, Indian Panorama Classics, Nostalgia, and Children’s Cinema.

For the first time ever, three iconic Shah Rukh Khan favourites — Chak De! India, Darr, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge — will be screened inside these unique inflatable theatres. Audiences can also look forward to acclaimed films such as Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail, the Malayalam blockbuster Manjummel Boys, Rajkummar Rao’s Srikanth, Rani Mukerji’s Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, Sooraj Barjatya’s Uunchai, Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay!, Irrfan Khan’s Qissa, and acclaimed classics including Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj Ke Khilari, Vijay Anand’s Teesri Manzil, and Yash Chopra’s Chandni and Kala Patthar.

Children will also enjoy special daily screenings of films such as Gattu, Kaphal: Wild Berries, Banarasi Jasoos, The Prince and the Crown of Stone, and Naal 2.

Beyond the main venue, PictureTime will set up open-air screenings across North and South Goa, allowing thousands of local residents to experience festival films outside traditional theatres.

Sushil Chaudhary, Founder & CEO of PictureTime Digiplex, expressed immense pride in the collaboration, recalling PictureTime’s association with IFFI since their Bioscope Village initiative in 2017.
He shared:

“Bringing our mobile digital theatres to a festival of this scale shows how far this technology has come—from remote villages to one of the world’s most respected film events. Our mission has always been to democratise cinema and take high-quality experiences to every corner of the country.”

He added that the 2025 lineup, combining SRK classics, acclaimed contemporary films, and dedicated children’s programming, reflects the diversity and cultural richness of Indian cinema.
“With the Kala Academy inflatable theatre and open-air screenings across Goa, we hope to create a festival experience that is immersive, inclusive, and truly celebratory of Indian storytelling.”

The Kala Academy inflatable theatre alone is expected to welcome 1,000+ visitors daily, while each open-air location may draw an additional 300–400 viewers every day — making IFFI 2025 one of the most accessible and community-engaging editions to date.

Films

Goan Film Claudia by Rajendra Talak Invited for Indian Panorama–Special Presentation at IFFI 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Konkani film Claudia, written, produced, and directed by veteran Goan filmmaker Rajendra Talak, will be featured in the “Indian Panorama – Special Presentation” section at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), scheduled from 20 to 28 November 2025 in Goa. Although no Goan film was selected in the official Indian Panorama categories this year, Claudia has been extended a special invitation to participate in the festival. The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), which organizes the Indian Panorama section, confirmed the inclusion, facilitated under the leadership of its Managing Director, Prakash Magdum.

Claudia tells the story of a saxophone player who loses his ability to perform, and his daughter’s emotional journey as she helps him rediscover his passion for music. The film explores themes of loss, hope, and the enduring strength of family bonds. Rajendra Talak, known for acclaimed Konkani films such as O Maria, Aleesha, and Miranda House, has been a key contributor to regional cinema and a strong advocate for showcasing Goan stories on national platforms.

According to reports, Claudia will represent Goa in the Special Presentation segment of Indian Panorama, which highlights distinctive works from across the country outside the main competition categories. The recognition ensures that Goa’s voice in cinema continues to resonate at the nation’s premier film festival.

Events in Goa

Cinema from Northeast India Shines at IFFI 2025 with Powerful Lineup from Assam, Manipur, and Sikkim

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo, Team Allycaral

Cinema from Northeast India is set to make a strong impression at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 in Goa, with a remarkable lineup of films from Assam, Manipur, and Sikkim featured in the Indian Panorama section. The festival, scheduled from November 20 to 28, 2025, continues to serve as a vibrant showcase of Indian creativity, cultural diversity, and cinematic excellence.

The Indian Panorama, a flagship component of IFFI since 1978, is devoted to promoting Indian films that represent the best of the country’s creative spirit and cultural heritage. This year’s selection highlights the Northeast’s cinematic growth and the region’s distinctive storytelling tradition that blends realism, identity, and emotion.

In the Feature Film category, Assam and Manipur have made a powerful mark. Bhaimon Da (Assamese), directed by Sasanka Samir and produced by Zeal Creations, tells the inspiring story of celebrated Assamese filmmaker Munin Barua, exploring his life and the challenges faced by Assamese cinema across decades. The film is both a tribute and a chronicle of artistic perseverance.

From Manipur, Naorem Dinesh Singh’s Oitharei continues the state’s legacy of socially conscious cinema. The film tells the story of a widow displaced by the ethnic unrest in Manipur since 2023, offering a poignant portrayal of grief, survival, and the quest for peace. Produced under Oitharei, it reflects the emotional depth that has long defined Manipuri filmmaking, echoing the work of masters like Aribam Syam Sharma.

Adding to Assam’s prominence is Sikaar, directed by Debangkar Borgohain and produced by Mitra Bhattacharya, which has been selected for the Mainstream Cinema section. Starring Zubeen Garg, Urmila Mahanta, and Adil Hussain, the film is being hailed for its high production values, compelling narrative, and status as the most expensive Assamese film ever made. Sikaar symbolizes a new era of ambition for Assamese cinema, blending regional storytelling with national appeal.

The region’s strength also extends to the Non-Feature Film category. Assam’s Patralekha, directed by Namrata Datta, explores themes of identity and communication through a poetic lens. From Manipur, Battlefield by Borun Thokchom captures the stark realities of life in a conflict-torn state with documentary precision and emotional power.

From Sikkim, Samten Bhutia’s Shangrila, produced by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), provides a rare window into Sikkimese culture and creativity. The Sikkimese-language documentary expands the cinematic map of the Northeast, celebrating the region’s evolving artistic identity and contribution to Indian cinema.

On November 27, IFFI will host a special discussion titled “New North East Cinema and Film Schools.” The session will examine the emergence of a new generation of filmmakers from Indian film schools, particularly from the Northeast, and how these institutions nurture unique voices that bring fresh perspectives to national cinema. The dialogue will explore how these directors are reshaping Indian storytelling through authenticity, experimentation, and regional identity.

The inclusion of films from Assam, Manipur, and Sikkim at IFFI 2025 reflects the growing prominence of the Northeast as a cinematic powerhouse. With stories rooted in culture, resilience, and human emotion, the region continues to redefine the contours of Indian filmmaking — asserting that powerful narratives often emerge from the country’s most diverse corners.