The first ever Documentary Film Bazaar was inaugurated at the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) today. This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant milestone for MIFF, reinforcing its status as the premier platform for non-feature films in South Asia.
The Documentary Film Bazaar, a pioneering initiative, aims to elevate the documentary film industry by providing a unique platform for filmmakers to connect with buyers, sponsors, and collaborators.
This innovative event, being held from 16 to 18 June 2024 at the NFDC complex has attracted close to 200 projects from 10 countries, representing 27 languages.
Film Producer Apoorva Bakshi inaugurated the Documentary Film Bazaar in the presence of Prithul Kumar, Festival Director, MIFF and Managing Director, NFDC and Smita Vats Sharma, ADG PIB (West Zone) and CEO, CBFC.
Addressing budding filmmakers, Apoorva Bakshi urged them to utilize the opportunities of the Bazaar for effective collaboration. “Let’s catch up, interact and explore new ideas, possibilities and collaborations, while we are here”, she said.
The Bazaar will feature three curated verticals:
Co-production Market: Featuring 16 projects, this segment connects filmmakers with potential collaborators, producers, co-producers, and financiers from around the globe.
Work-in-Progress (WIP) Lab: Showcasing 6 projects in the rough-cut stage, this lab offers invaluable feedback and mentorship from industry professionals to refine these films.
Viewing Room: An exclusive space presenting 106 completed documentaries, short films, and animation films to a curated audience of delegates, providing opportunities for distribution deals and funding.
In addition to these verticals, the Bazaar will host an ‘Open Buyer-Seller Meet’, facilitating collaborations in production, syndication, acquisition, distribution, and sales. A dedicated session will also explore the relationship between documentary filmmaking and corporate branding, with industry leaders such as FICCI discussing CSR funding as a tool for brand enhancement and societal impact.
The Docu-Film Bazaar aspires to be an interactive hub, fostering collaboration between established professionals and emerging talents. By providing crucial support at various stages of production, it aims to propel the creation and distribution of impactful documentaries globally.
The Documentary Film Bazaar is committed to amplifying filmmakers’ voices and bringing captivating stories to the forefront of international cinema. Participants will gain valuable knowledge about current trends, market demands, distribution strategies, and audience preferences, with industry experts providing insightful feedback to help projects achieve their full potential.
The Bazaar accommodates a host of stalls by a wide range of organizations such as Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Cooperation Ltd., J&K, IDPA, Cinedubs etc. The Union Ministry of Tourism has also facilitated stalls of countries like Sri Lanka, Belarus, Iran and Argentina.