MUMBAI: Book your dates from 18-20 October. It is time for Mumbaikars to get ready for the third edition of the Mumbai Film Mart (MFM) to be held at Taj President.  The festival that facilitates Indian films to reach international audiences promises to be bigger and better than its previous avatars.

The festival is expected to grow from its 1,200 meetings last year and 400 in its first edition. These meetings, between Indian producers and buyers and distributors from several international markets have been fruitful for both parties, with Japan, Taiwan, Brazil, Hong Kong, Poland, Germany, France, Sweden and even South Korea bagging valuable deals.   

Owing to its valuable contribution in facilitating the sale of Indian films among these countries, MFM has also garnered the support of top Indian production houses such as Yash Raj Films, Disney UTV, Eros International, Reliance Entertainment, AKFPL and Balaji Motion Pictures.

That said MFM is also an active platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work alongside big banner Bollywood films.

Apart from the repeat participation from its earlier breakthrough markets, MFM has confirmed attendance of new buyers and broadcasters such as Astro (Malaysia), MBC (UAE), Shoreline Entertainment (USA), Happiness Distribution and Aanna Films (France), international film services providers such as 3D Alliance (France) and KFTV (UK) and key International exhibitors such as the VOX chain of cinemas operating across the Middle East.  

MFM 2013 will continue to expand the scope of the business of cinema with a focus on new technologies such as 3D, new distribution models for independent films, Books2Screen to encourage film adaptations, India Project Room for pre-selection of work-in-progress films and Filmy Room an exclusive DVD viewing library.

This year, MFM will grow its scope manifold by hosting pre-scheduled meetings, on-the-spot networking through speed dating, informal meetings during happy hours, themed round table meetings and greater visibility for select participants through SPOTS.