The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) runs a program called Film Bazaar, which helps South Asian filmmakers and producers. Every year, many films find international co-producers and artistic partners at this event. International distributors and festival organizers also look for new films here.
The Film Bazaar, organized by India's National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), awards the best three projects with cash prizes of US $20,000, which is about Tk 25 lakh. Recently, 21 projects from seven countries were selected for the Film Bazaar, including two films from Bangladesh: "Roid" and "Divine Chords."
"Roid," directed by Mejbaur Rahman Sumon, is produced by Tanvir Hossain and Shimul Chandra Bishwas. The film tells the story of a lonely man who marries a mentally unstable woman, leading to strange and confusing events.
"Divine Chords," directed by Talat Ahmed, is produced by Adnan Imtiaz Ahmed and Jonaki Bhattacharya. This film explores a brief but touching moment between a mechanic and a domestic worker, as they dream of a better life.
The 55th International Film Festival of India will be held from November 20 to 28, with the Film Bazaar taking place from November 20 to 24 at the Goa Marriott Resort.
This year, 29 projects from countries such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Australia, the UK, Germany, and Hong Kong were chosen, which includes 21 feature films and 8 streaming series. The films selected show a variety of languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, and more.
Since 2007, the Film Bazaar has helped many South Asian projects get noticed by international producers, making it a significant platform for filmmakers in the region.
