WAVES Bazaar, organised as part of Bharat Parv at the Ritz, brought together leading global cinema experts, technology innovators and policymakers in a landmark showcase of India’s expanding creative economy. Hosted by the National Film Development Corporation under the WAVES World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit initiative, the event projected India’s emergence as a Global Content Factory with growing influence across cinema, media and emerging creative technologies.
The day opened with remarks by Shri Gautam Bhanot, General Manager, NFDC, who outlined the way forward for India’s AVGC and film sectors. A high level panel discussion titled India as a Global Content Factory Scale Talent and New Business Models, moderated by Vidushi Kain, General Manager Media and Communication, NFDC, examined India’s potential to lead international storytelling.
The panel featured Marten Rabarts of IFFR Pro, Katharina Suckale of Bombay Berlin Film Productions, and Tommaso Priante of Luminalia. Speakers underscored how platforms such as Film Bazaar and WAVES Bazaar, along with government supported initiatives including WAVEX and CIC challenges, are strengthening production capacity, nurturing talent and facilitating cross border collaboration. The discussion emphasised that these frameworks are positioning India as a globally competitive hub for creative industries and innovation.
In a significant boost to regional film tourism, Delhi and Maharashtra unveiled strategic roadmaps. Shri Kapil Mishra, Minister of Tourism Art and Culture Delhi, presented Delhi Tourism’s revamped policies designed to attract filmmakers and streamline production processes in the capital.
Shri Ashish Shelar, Minister of Culture Maharashtra, followed with a presentation on Maharashtra Film City, detailing measures to provide end to end production support and financial incentives aimed at attracting both domestic and international projects. Both Ministers were felicitated for their contributions to strengthening the cultural economy.
On February 13, the Waves Bazaar Global Outreach Delegation at the European Film Market spotlighted the internationally mounted feature Kurinji during Bharat Parv. A panel discussion examined its India France Germany co production model, featuring writer director Payal Sethi and her international producing partners.
Kurinji, a recipient of the Berlinale Talents fellowship and First Prize at the NFDC Waves Film Bazaar Co Production Market, is a character driven drama set in Kerala that explores migration, identity and resilience. Produced by FilmKaravan, known for the International Emmy winning series Delhi Crime, the project exemplifies cross border collaboration and reflects India’s growing presence in globally resonant storytelling.
The Filmmakers and Tech Startups Open Pitch segment showcased nine feature film projects across diverse genres and regions. Among them were Kabootar, a Hindi Japanese mystery drama seeking co production partners; Yeh Mera Ghar My Home, a completed art house drama on migration; and THE GOAT, a Tamil English animated children’s feature and XR project currently in financing.
Other projects presented on February 13 included Echoes of the Herd, an award winning Himalayan drama; White Guy, a coming of age musical set in 1980s United Kingdom; Mr Francis and The Last Standing PCO, a Konkani Hindi fantasy romance; KANHI DOOR Still Somewhere, a Berlin India drama; Ade On a Weekend, a Tenyidie coming of age story from Nagaland; and ICE PICE, a Hindi prison drama.
Innovation was further highlighted through the Wave X showcase. Featured ventures included Crewbella’s decentralised festival monetisation platform, Tuttifrutti Games’ AI powered mythological gaming intellectual property, Zangoh’s generative AI localisation tools, and FolkLog’s animation led folk heritage platform.
The Create in India Challenge winners also drew significant interest. These included Road To Jinji, a historical animated feature on Rajaram’s escape, and The Dream Balloon, a large scale animated fantasy adventure in advanced development.
The afternoon concluded with a specialised panel on the Kurinji project and intensive business to business meetings involving the Indian delegation, aimed at fostering deeper global partnerships and consolidating India’s position as a leading content and innovation powerhouse.
