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NFDC - An overview of our activities
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From Our Archives, India at Cannes, 1988
Film Facilitation Office - A pioneering initiative to promote India as the preferred filming destination
FILM IN INDIA
NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE DYNAMIC MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT SECTOR
www.nfdcindia.com
Production | Distribution | Training | Development | Restoration | Advertising | Film Festivals
Quarterly Newsletter. This newsletter is intended to be a useful resource to stay updated with news, policies and national and international film industries at large – be it technological advances, trends, talent or need for policies. With the thrust from recent technological advancements, the Media and Entertainment sector has grown exponentially in the last five years, creating varied business opportunities and scope for international collaborations. In keeping with these changes, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has been actively involved in facilitating the growth of the film industry, promoting the country's diversity through cinema and boosting the inflow of film tourism. The ‘Film in India’ drive emphasizes key features of India's professional ability – skills, human resources, diverse locales, support from institutional structures and ease of shooting in India. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has launched the Film Facilitation Office (FFO), housed in NFDC, that will enable local as well as international filmmakers to navigate various challenges while shooting across the country. NFDC has been given the responsibility of the FFO as it has already been at the forefront of facilitating international collaborations. It seems timely to highlight the significant contribution that NFDC has made in the overall growth of the film sector. Founded in 1975, NFDC, a PSU under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, has developed and supported talent that has put Indian films on the global map. Over the nine years, the Corporation has built Film Bazaar, a platform to showcase Indian cinema at international markets and festivals, resulting in increased co-productions with various countries. However, for these international collaborations to succeed, an efficient ecosystem needs to be developed in the country, right from creating a skilled workforce on ground to film friendly state policies. NFDC has been offering skill training to technicians and craftsmen, to create a workforce to make India a preferred film destination. The Corporation has also been involved in all aspects of development including organising film festivals in collaboration with state and central bodies as well as international agencies. Since 2009, NFDC has also created some of the best-known advertising campaigns for various government agencies through its 360-degree advertising services. I hope this quarterly communication will help in creating newer strategies and policies to harness the soft power of Indian cinema. SHRI SUNIL ARORA Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
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initiatives from NFDC’s offices and the business of the
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of the National Film Development Corporation’s (NFDC)
FOREWORD
It gives me great pleasure to introduce the very first issue
nfdc a snapshot An overview of our key activities and departments Over the last three decades, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) has gone from strength to strength in planning, promoting and organising an integrated NFD C
and efficient development of the Indian film industry, in accordance with the national
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economic policy and objectives laid down by the Government of India.
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TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
TRAINING INITIATIVES
ÊÊ Regional skill development
ÊÊ Screenwriters’ Labs ÊÊ Children’s Screenwriters’ Lab
programmes for technicians
ÊÊ Regional Script Lab
and craftsmen
ÊÊ Work-in-Progress Lab ÊÊ Producers’ Lab
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FILM PRODUCTION Under 11th and 12th Plan Period, NFDC has LAUNCHED
PRODUCED
CO-PRODUCED
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FEATURE FILMS
FEATURE FILMS
Domestic & International
NEW DIRECTORS
WON
WON
WON
INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
NATIONAL AWARDS
GOLDEN PEACOCK, IFFI
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in 13 Indian languages
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DELHI ❻ OFFICE
ÊÊ Built three preview theatres (two
360° ADVERTISING SOLUTIONS
in Mumbai and one in Chennai) equipped with state of the art projection and sound facilities in Mumbai called ‘FilmBay’
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FILM RESTORATION
ÊÊ Launched the single largest picture and sound restoration programme in the country ÊÊ Laid down detailed processes for frameby-frame picture and sound restoration ÊÊ Created extremely high quality restored works of 87 heritage films
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FILM BAZAAR
ÊÊ Set up in 2007, this unique platform brings together Indian and international buyers, sales agents, festival programmers and film funds from across the world ÊÊ Increases visibility and market potential of Indian and South Asian cinema ÊÊ Curates, supports and showcases filmmaking talent from across South Asia
SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
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GOVERNMENT CLIENTS for production of audio-visuals and media campaigns released for government schemes
MEDIA CAMPAIGNS
FILM FESTIVALS
ORGANISES FILM FESTIVALS IN COLLABORATION WITH STATE GOVERNMENTS, STATE AGENCIES AND PSUS
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DISTRIBUTION
CINEMAS OF INDIA
A multifaceted distribution platform to facilitate showcasing of Indian cinema. Cinemas of India releases films across traditional platforms (theatrical, home video, satellite, airlines) and emerging platforms (video-on-demand, DTH and mobile)
Participates in film festivals to expand into non-traditional markets across the world Released
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TITLES ON HOME VIDEO
across India and on e-commerce platforms
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ÊÊ Setting up a film cultural centre
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EXHIBITION
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film IN INDIA
Launched in 2015 and housed at NFDC, the Film Facilitation Office will provide a specialised single window for obtaining filming permissions in India
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Based on extensive discussions, studies and research, The Film Facilitation Office, established last year, will serve as a one-stop shop for facilitating film shoots in India. In November 2015, The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, along with NFDC launched a Film Facilitation Office at Film Bazaar. Col. Rajyavardhan Rathore, Hon’ble Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, unveiled the logo of the Film Facilitation Office (FFO), whose tagline ‘Film In India’, seeks to position India as a preferred filming destination. Responding to the needs of Indian and international filmmakers, the FFO will provide a single window clearance for permissions required for filming in India. This initiative was heralded by both the state agencies as well the film making community. The long-term objective of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting is to promote India as a preferred destination for filmmakers across the world. These permissions and associated assistance will extend to feature films, TV series and advertisement films to be shot in India. The FFO will also enable Indian filmmakers to navigate the challenges that they face while shooting across the country. Shri Sunil Arora, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India said, “The primary objective of the Film Facilitation Office is to create an environment that inspires filmmakers. In doing so the FFO will identify and recommend such policy changes at the central and state levels that would make India a more film-friendly destination.” The idea and scope of the FFO emerged out of the experiences and findings of the Film Offices set up at Film Bazaar and the Film Symposium held last year. The scope of the
FFO includes assisting filmmakers with clearances from various government agencies, creating on-the-ground support crew and working towards providing ancillary services through standardised vocational training programmes. The FFO will also collaborate with local bodies, identify issues that require policy intervention by the Government and recommend appropriate solutions for the same. Shri Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India said, “Our role in regard to the FFO is to coordinate and create synergies with the Government and tourism through the single window clearance. We are also looking forward to sensitising people when it comes to location shooting through road shows and various campaigns”. Film Tourism Symposium in session at Film Bazaar 2015
FILM OFFICES The Film Offices were set up at Film Bazaar in 2014 to provide a platform to state governments to promote their locations to the Indian and international film fraternity through structured one-on-one meetings.
SESSION I: FILM IN INDIA The introductory session to the four-day Symposium held in Goa alongside Film Bazaar, was Presided over by Shri Sunil Arora, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Also present were Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Jt. Secretary (Films), Shri Suman Billa, Jt. Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Shri Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism
Film Tourism Symposium at Film Bazaar 2015
SESSION II:
FILMING WITH ASI
State Tourism bodies like MP Tourism, TN Tourism, Film Cell Gujarat, Daman, and Diu & Dadar Nagar Haveli, also participated in the discussions.
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07 SESSION III: GUIDELINES TO SHOOT IN INDIA Ms Pravin Horo Singh, Director (Foreigners Division), Ministry of Home Affairs, interacted with Indian and international film professionals to discuss issues pertaining to issuance of visas, work permits and clearances for shooting in border/ sensitive areas with a view to enabling faster clearances and permissions from the relevant authorities.
SESSION IV:
FILMING WITH INDIAN RAILWAYS
Shri Narendra A. Patil, Chief Public Relations Officer, Central Railway and members of the film industry discussed the issues pertaining to shooting in locations owned by the Indian Railways and explored possible solutions for speedier clearances for filming.
COL. RAJYAVARDHAN RATHORE
KABIR KHAN
PRAKASH JHA
SHYAM BENEGAL
Hon’ble Minister of State for Information
Filmmaker
Filmmaker
Filmmaker
I think this initiative will open up new ground. There are such fantastic locations all over our country. Sometimes we end up going abroad just for the ease of filming. With the FFO in place, we will end up shooting much more here.
Films shot in a particular place help its tourism and eventually generate revenue by creating jobs in transportation, hospitality, tourism and various other sectors. Films are the best ambassadors for publicising a place.
NFDC’s job has always been that of a facilitator to help in production, distribution, and exhibition and also export of Indian films. So if they have created a kind of single window of permissions, then there's nothing like it.
& Broadcasting, Government of India
The outcome of engaging NFDC is to utilise their expertise towards setting up this specialised single window clearance system.
APRIL 2016
FILM TOURISM – A Symposium Presented by the Ministry of Tourism, in association with the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, and NFDC, the Film Tourism Symposium was designed to encourage dialogue between members of the film fraternity and government bodies, on the current challenges facing filmmakers to film in India and to find solutions to ease filming processes in India. Officials from the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Railways were invited to discuss the existing trials and possible solutions with established filmmakers (directors and producers) who attended Film Bazaar 2015. These included Indian filmmakers Shyam Benegal, Ramesh Sippy, Prakash Jha, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Sudhir Mishra, Anubhav Sinha, Kabir Khan, Bharat Bala, producers and line producers such as Iqbal Kidwai, Pravesh Sahni and Deborah Bennatar and members of the international community such as Gisella Carr of Film New Zealand, James Weyman of the Ontario Media Development Corporation and German producer Michael Henricks.
Shri Shharat Sharma, Addl. Director General, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), engaged in a session on the guidelines for filming/ shooting at different heritage sites/ locations around the country.
Scripting
A GLOBAL STORY HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SUCCESSFUL NINTH EDITION OF FILM BAZAAR, HELD IN GOA IN 2015
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From 204 guests from 18 countries in its inaugural year, Film Bazaar 2015 saw the attendance of 1102 delegates from 38 countries. Over the last nine years since its inception, the Bazaar has become a focal point for South Asian filmmakers to present their stories to the international film fraternity and to elicit financial and creative support.
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CO-PRODUCTION MARKET
THE VIEWING ROOM
PRODUCERS’ LAB
The Co-Production market is the main segment of Film Bazaar.
The Viewing Room presents films seeking finishing funds, world sales, distribution partners and film festival selection.
Introduced in 2013, the Producers’ Lab was set up to help emerging producers to maintain a fine balance between the creative and financial aspects of filmmaking.
ÊÊ ÊÊ ÊÊ ÊÊ
Projects from seven countries 19 curated projects Four-day long market 384 one-on-one meetings
ÊÊ 154 films screened ÊÊ Total of 981 viewings ÊÊ Viewers include film programmers, distributors, world sales agents and investors
highlights 2015
ÊÊ 37 participants ÊÊ 14 mentor sessions ÊÊ 5-day lab conducted by key industry experts ÊÊ 9 participants from Maharashtra Film City ÊÊ Participants from India, Poland, USA, Australia, Singapore and Afghanistan
SCREENWRITERS’ LAB The objective of the Screenwriters’ Lab, set up in 2007, was to present a script as a marketable product to the film industry. ÊÊ 3 Labs, 18 participants ÊÊ Mentored by reputed international advisors ÊÊ A collaboration with Sarajevo International Film Festival ÊÊ 1st Children’s Screenwriters’ Lab in 2015 ÊÊ Incubator for The Lunchbox, Titli, Dum Laga Ke Haisha and The Good Road
SHEKHAR KAPUR
Film Bazaar offers a platform to budding scriptwriters, to films that are trying to find a market, and manages to get many practising professionals together in a very fertile environment. NFDC has created a platform for film professionals to come together, interact and grow.
Asian content is going to become the most important content in the world and the fundamental idea behind Film Bazaar is to become the destination for Asian content.
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RAJKUMAR HIRANI
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WORK-IN-PROGRESS LAB
KNOWLEDGE SERIES
The Work-In-Progress Lab gives selected filmmakers a chance to receive creative feedback on the rough cut of their film from an eminent panel of international advisors.
The NFDC Knowledge Series consists of specially curated presentations, lectures and panel discussions with key decision makers and market drivers of the film industry as speakers.
ÊÊ 2 Labs, for fiction features and creative documentaries ÊÊ 11 participants ÊÊ Incubator for films such as Ship of Theseus, Killa, Margarita, With A Straw, Thithi
ÊÊ 25 sessions ÊÊ 90 guest speakers and moderators ÊÊ 2015’s focus: Topics that are likely to preoccupy the industry in the future ÊÊ Platform for companies/ government bodies to launch or showcase their products and services
INDUSTRY SCREENINGS Industry Screenings give filmmakers an opportunity to present their films to a select group of international sales agents, distributors, producers and film festival programmers at the market. ÊÊ 32 films ÊÊ Showcase of regional language films
EXHIBITION STALLS In 2009 Film Bazaar introduced stalls that enable companies to exhibit their products and services, and to strengthen relationships and synergize their business with potential partners, both domestically and internationally. ÊÊ 8 exhibiting companies ÊÊ Dedicated stalls at the Film Bazaar Business Zone
A case for
SKILL DEVELOPMENT
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A successful programme in Tamil Nadu paves the way for a national sector-specific training programme
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The Media and Entertainment (M&E) Industry is one of the fastest growing segments today. The KPMG-FICCI report on the M&E Industry released earlier this year reported that the sector grew by 12.8 per cent from 2014 to 2015. The growth in the sector also comes from the addition of new segments – digital, mobiles, gaming, animation and VFX alongside existing segments including film, television, print, radio, gaming, out of home (OOH) and advertising. With the advent of newer technologies, opportunities for employment are ever growing.
READING BY NUMBERS
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For the past five years, the industry has been growing at a stable 10 per cent year-on-year and is currently valued at INR 115,500 crore*. Total current employment in the media and entertainment sector is estimated at 4.6 lakh and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13 per cent, to reach 7.5 lakh by 2017.** The industry currently employs a large number of skilled workers as technicians or craftsmen. Camera attendants, light men, camera operators, editing assistants, sound assistants and make up artists form almost 80 per cent of the people working on any film. Needless to say, the demand for skilled professionals across each of the sub-sectors of this industry is high.
MIND THE GAP
Reasons for skill-gaps, highlighted by the industry: A large proportion of the workforce is not formally trained. Especially in the film industry, people learn on the job and as a result skill sets are not standardized. Even among those recruited from media schools, the quality of candidates and their technical skills are seldom up to the mark. Often they have theoretical/ conceptual knowledge, but lack practical training and an understanding of how to apply these concepts to their work.
Wages and employment for stagehands are governed by trade unions that do not have any minimum certification or criteria required for enrollment. Lack of opportunities for skill upgradation and training result in a workforce not trained to use the latest equipment.
SKILLING THEM SOFTLY NFDC’s skill development initiative Since 2005, NFDC, with the support of the Government of Tamil Nadu, has been conducting skill development programmes in Tamil Nadu. More than 5000 youth have enrolled in short-term training and vocational courses in animation, multimedia, editing, audio engineering, digital still photography and courses for camera assistants. It is estimated that 70 per cent of the trainees have found employment. With the success of the Tamil Nadu pilot project, NFDC plans to scale up its activities in vocational courses by conducting skill development training programmes for 12,000 students per year in cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Puducherry.
STUDENT SPEAK “I wanted to pursue a career as a multimedia artist. The NFDC skill development and vocational training programme has given me an opportunity to enhance my skills in multimedia. I have learnt a lot of things in CorelDraw, Photoshop, Illustrator, Flash etc. Now I am working with Algoritz Technologies as a graphic artist. Thanks to NFDC.”~ KARTHIPRIYA
“It was my ambition to work as a cameraman in the Media and Entertainment Industry. The NFDC vocational training programme opened the door for me to join the industry as an assistant cameraman. I will always be thankful to NFDC.” ~ MOHAN
*Source: Shaping The Industry At A Time Of Disruption: Taking Indian M&E Industry Towards A $100 Billion Aspiration, CII-BCG Vision 2020 **Source: MESC Skills Gap Study, 2014
celebrating DIVERSITY WITH CINEMA
International Day of Persons with Disabilities is observed worldwide on December 3 every year. With this film festival, NFDC hopes to create a stepping-stone in the movement towards achieving an Accessible India, a revolutionary campaign of the Government of India. Held at Siri Fort, New Delhi, from December 1-3, 2015, the festival showcased films that celebrate the diverse perspective, artistry and expression of the disabled. These films spotlight critical issues around persons with disabilities and celebrate their lives. The film festival comprised of gala screenings of national and international films on disabilities as well as directors’/screenwriters’ workshops etc. The best films were recognized with awards under various categories. Forty films from 15 countries were screened during the three-day festival . These included Algorithms (docu-feature), Birds of Passage (French), Chhotoder Chobi (Bengali), Haridas (Tamil), Las Bestias (Spanish) and Yellow (Marathi). Meghna Gulzar’s Closer opened the festival and there were also special screenings of Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Margarita, With A Straw. The festival was well represented by members of the media and entertainment industry including Vivek Oberoi, Kabir Khan, Gulzar, Meghna Gulzar and Sanjna Kapoor.
Best Fiction Feature Film
CHHOTODER CHOBI Director – Kaushik Ganguly
Best Documentary Feature Film
ALGORITHMS
Director – Ian McDonald Best Short Film
FINGERTIP
Director – Basile Vuillemin Special Jury Mention for Director
MAHESH LIMAYE Film - Yellow
Best Director (Documentary Film)
AMRITA DASGUPTA Film – The New Girl in Class Best Documentary Film
GOONGA PEHLWAN
Director – Vivek Chaudhary, Mit Jani Best Director (Short Film)
JULIA KOLENAKOVA
Film – Predators of Transylvania
Left to Right- Kabir Khan, Mahesh Limaye with Gauri Gadgil, Meghna Gulzar, Gulzar, Marco Mueller, Aamir Bashir
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To commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, along with the NFDC, presented the first ever Film Festival for Persons with Disabilities.
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The International Film Festival for Persons with Disabilities was held in December last year The winners:
Gujarat awarded for
FILM FRIENDLINESS With the 63rd National Film Awards, The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, introduced a new category. The Most Film Friendly State award which is part of a major initiative by the Ministry to promote India as a filming destination as well as to encourage growth of the film industry.
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The first ever award for the Most Film Friendly State (MFFS) 2015 went to the Gujarat State Government for its efforts in easing the process for film productions and film shoots in the state. The award also commends the state for taking the initiative in the promotion of Indian films. Gujarat scored over other evaluated states on the parameters of single window clearance, liaison officer attached to a shooting crew, dedicated web portal, database of hotels and emergency services, connectivity to various locations/ sites, and international marketing efforts. Besides substantial supporting documents to backup the details given in their application, Gujarat also included a well-presented coffee table book on film tourism in the state. All of this impressed the jury comprising of CMD Air India, Ashwani Lohani, filmmakers Sudhir Mishra and Bharat Bala and line producer Pravesh Sahni of India Take One Productions. While the award was open to all state governments and union territory administrations, a total of 16 states sent in their entries.
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The jury also made a special mention of Uttar Pradesh and Kerala for their efforts in facilitating and simplifying processes for film crews wishing to shoot in their states. Uttar Pradesh scored in the areas of single window clearance, incentives offered, presence of a liaison officer and an informative web portal. Kerala scored for a state government backed studio and a database of hotels and emergency services.
N. SRIVASTAVA
DR. NAVNEET KUMAR SEHGAL
RANI GEORGE
NIKKHIL ADVANI
IFS, Commissioner Tourism &
IAS, Principal Secretary, Information
IAS, Secretary, Cultural Affairs
Producer-Director, Emmay
Managing Director, Gujarat Tourism
& Chairman, Film Bandhu, U.P
Department, Government of Kerala
Entertainment & Motion Pictures LLP
“We are really honoured to receive the MFFS award. Gujarat is a great film destination due to its varied landscape, long coastline, thick forests, heritage monuments and extremely modern infrastructure”
"Our Film Bandhu portal works as a single window for filmmakers. This award is a big acknowledgement of the State's policies and its machinery. We are thankful to the Government of India for the above appreciation."
"Kerala is delighted to have won a special mention for the category Most Film Friendly State Award. We shall strive to perfect the system so that it shall facilitate filmmakers throughout the world.”
“I've shot two films in Gujarat– DDAY (2012) and Katti Batti (2014). Though we did not seek direct support from any state government agency, the local line producers were very efficient, as were the civilians and residents in various parts of the state. Gujarat offers diverse topographies that yield great results on celluloid. One of my favourite places to shoot is the Chhota Rann of Kutch.”
NFDC INDIA & FILM BAZAAR congratulates its winners of
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NATIONAL FILM AWARDS
Best Punjabi Film
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Best Hindi Film
DUM LAGA KE HAISHA
Best Kannada Film
THITHI
Film Bazaar Co-Production Market 2012 NFDC Co-Production 2015 Director: Gurvinder Singh Producer: Kartikeya Narayan Singh Co Producers: NFDC Catherine Dussart (CDP) Sunil Doshi (Handmade Films) Gurvinder Singh Associate Producers: Himmat Sarkaria, Michael Hernrichs Cinematographer: Satya Rai Nagpaul Screenwriter: Gurvinder Singh Editor: Bhupesh Micky Sharma Sound: Susmit Bob Nath Music: Marc Marder Cast: Suvinder Vikky, Rajbir Kaur, Gurpreet Kaur Bhangu, Kanwaljit Singh, Harnek Aulakh
Screenwriters' Lab 2011 Director: Sharat Katariya Producers: Aditya Chopra, Maneesh Sharma Production Company: Yash Raj Films Cinematographer: Manu Anand Screenwriter: Sharat Katariya Editor: Namrata Rao Background Score: Andrea Guerra Music: Anu Malik Lead Cast: Ayushman Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar, Sanjay Mishra, Alka Amin, Sheeba Chaddha, Seema Pahwa, Shrikant Verma
Work In Progress Lab 2014 Director: Raam Reddy Producers: Sunmin Park, Pratap Reddy Cinematographer: Doron Tempert Screenwriters: Eregowda, Raam Reddy Editors: Raam Reddy, John Zimmerman Sound Design: Nithin Lukose Lead Cast: Thammegowda S,. Channegowda, Abhishek H.N, Pooja S.M Production Companies: Prspctvs Productions, Maxmedia
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FROM OUR ARCHIVES
India at Cannes, 1988 NFD C
As we approach the Cannes Film Festival 2016, held annually in May, here is an excerpt from an article written by Janet Fine and published in NFDC's former independent magazine, Cinema in India in 1988
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Cannes… More than 20,000 people attended this year’s 41st Cannes International Film Festival (May 11-23); with an estimated 2,000 films from more than 50 countries screened during this marathon of film and the “business” of film. India was well-represented in both areas with the NFDC occupying its traditional stall among the 120 booths at the Palais Market, and three films in the official sections: Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay in the Director’s Fortnight, Goutam Ghose’s Antarjali Yatra, shown at the Un Certain Regard section and Raja Mitra’s Ekti Jiban in the Critics’ Week. Malati Tambay Vaidya was joined in the booth by London NFDC representative, Pamela Cullen, Import and Distribution Manager A. Shankarnarayan and Deputy Manager, Export Manika Lakshmanan. There was a special display of films and a banner about the platinum jubilee of 75 years of Indian cinema. Prizes for best films were spread out among many countries with the jury headed by Italian director Ettore Scola. The Palm D’Or was given to Danish film Pelle the Conqueror by Bille August about a child immigrant. Salaam Bombay, the closing film at the fortnight in the old Palais (which is slated for demolition) captured the Camera D’Or prize, with a cash award of about $50,000 from Kodak.
Although critics were generally disappointed with the level of films this year, the Cannes Film Festival still remains the ‘parent’ that has spawned all International Film Festivals and
“The reaction to the film has been overwhelming, with Los Angeles Times critic Sheila Bensan calling Salaam Bombay the ‘greatest film in the Cannes Festival,” said Mira Nair. “I look forward to the reaction of the film in India, which is my primary audience. India is the heartbeat of the movie.” NFDC Managing Director Malati Tambay Vaidya said this year’s business was equally encouraging with the sales reaching 22 lakhs. Many new countries and territories like Yugoslavia, Greece, Hong Kong and Italy are opened up to buy Indian films. There was a good response to Cinema in India subscription sales and NFDC also released Satyajit Ray’s Aparajito and Apur Sansar on video cassettes, thus completing the Apu Trilogy.
the place to meet all those involved in the world of cinema. This article first appeared in Cinema in India, July-September 1988, Vol II. No 3
APRIL 2016
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NATIONAL FILM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LIMITED A Government of India Enterprise www.nfdcindia.com
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