Actress-producer Namita Lal, whose film Oxygen is streaming on ZEE5, recently attended the IFFI Film Bazaar. Namita, who is known for her film Lihaaf, also participated in the bazaar. She says it was a fascinating experience.
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The networking cocktails and sponsored parties, like those by the Australian Commission and the Producers Association, on a yacht, make the evenings equally engaging. Though tiring, the bazaar is incredibly exciting, productive, and beneficial. This year’s event was bigger than ever, highlighting India’s growing prominence in the global film industry. I wish NFDC Film Bazaar and FICCI continued success in expanding this initiative,” she says.
She adds, “I attended the Film Bazaar that takes place alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). It is organized by FICCI and NFDC, where a curated program is managed by international-level producers and programmers. They select projects to pitch to producers from across the globe and India. After Cannes and Berlin, this is one of the largest global film markets. It showcases amazing stories at various stages—pre-production, production, post-production, and work-in-progress. There are also market screenings for distributors and viewing rooms for completed films.”
The producer-actress adds that the bazaar had a lot to showcase this year. “The bazaar featured many stalls, including one by casting director Mukesh Chhabra, who set up a large casting tent. For the first time, casting was included as part of the market agenda, which is significant given the rise of casting demand for international shows and major Indian OTT productions. A young and innovative group showcased AI-driven tools for filmmakers, including apps for end-to-end film production management—covering costumes, shoots, camera work, and sound. Another app being developed between India and San Francisco focused on production management,” she says.
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She adds, “There were also initiatives aggregating digital hoardings, which is beneficial for independent filmmakers like me. Netflix had a significant presence, promoting dubbing for their international shows. I had auditioned for a three-month Netflix dubbing program (three days a week) funded by Netflix and was among the 12 selected out of 500 applicants. Unfortunately, due to my other shoot schedules, I couldn’t participate, but it was an honour. Google showcased Gemini, Sony had a presence with Sony Liv, and many other big players participated.
The bazaar also featured international collaborations. Spain promoted film shoots there, Australia sponsored a large part of the program, and Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand showcased subsidies and incentives. Ministers, producers, and directors participated in engaging talks. Richie Mehta of Delhi Crime was part of a fascinating discussion.”
