New Delhi/Cannes, May 11 (UNI) The India Pavilion at the Cannes film festival was inaugurated at Cannes in France with an aim to showcase diversity in Indian films while furthering collaborations with various other countries.
The inaugural session of the India Pavilion at the Festival was hosted by noted actor Sharad Kelkar and attended by members of the Indian delegation which included Ambassador of India to France Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Joint secretary at the Information and Broadcasting Ministry Ashok Kumar Parmar, writer, poet and chairman of the Central Board for Film Certification Prasoon Joshi, CBFC member Vani Tripathi Tikoo, Executive Director, Marche Du Film Festival, Cannes Film Market Jerome Paillard, film actress Huma Qureshi, filmmakers Shaji Karun, Jahnu Barua and Bharat Bala.
Speaking about the growth of the nation being well reflected through our cinema, Mr Vinay Mohan Kwatra said, 'what is happening in our country currently is the unprecedented transformation in technology and the economy and that these growing externalities are reflected in Indian Cinema.'
Mr Jerome Paillard stated that India Pavilion is a very important tool to help connecting the worldwide European and worldwide community of films.
Speaking about Indo-French cinema collaboration, Ms Tripathi Tikoo said India has a fantastic relationship with both Cannes film festival and the French film industry.
'In recent times films like 'Tamasha' and 'Befikre' were shot extensively in this part of the world and found great resonance with the narrative story telling between the two countries,' she said.
During the inaugural address, Mr Prasoon Joshi said, 'we should also reach out to young filmmakers who might not have access to a festival like Cannes and should organise many mini Cannes film festivals all around the world to help more and more filmmakers.'
A meeting between the Indian delegation and Ms Isabelle Giordano, Director General, Unifrance, M. Loïc Wong, Director of International Department, CNC, France along with Ms Valérie L’Epine-Karnik, CEO, Film France was held to explore co-production opportunities between India and France.
A round table discussion was also held to explore collaborations with countries like Brazil, Philippines, Austria, Norway, Sweden, Taiwan, Canada and New Zealand where the film commissioners from these countries discussed the opportunities and challenges for co-production with India.
Discussions were also held with the heads and management of various Indian studios and production houses to see how films in different languages could become more viable and what the government could do to help filmmakers in the country.
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