The buzz around the annual international film festival of India (IFFI) is getting louder. NFDC brings in Film Bazaar 2007, a platform to promote Indian films through a Business Lounge and a Co-production Market. This year the Film Bazaar segment of IFFI will be conducted by NFDC from 24th to 26th November at Goa Marriott Resort.

In an interview with indiantelevision.com's Jaahnavi P Paal, NFDC MD Nina Lath Gupta talks on the relevance of the Film Bazaar.

What is the key thrust of the Film Bazaar?
The Film Bazaar is being designed to create a facilitative environment for the Indian film industry via three key
thrusts:

• Export of Indian content.
   
• Establishing and positioning India as a location for global
  content creation.
   
• Creating a platform for new digital entertainment streams for Indian films.

What are the new initiatives taken this year?
Film Bazaar has three new initiatives, namely (i) a Co-production Market which is proposed to be modelled on the lines of CineMart, Rotterdam. 15 pre-selected projects (at any stage of production from pre-production to rough cut stage) drawn from all over India will be presented to all Film Bazaar participants, both from India and abroad, with a view to explore co-production and/or sales opportunities;

(ii) Film Conclave (comprising keynote address, seminars, and panel discussions) and Business Lounge (to provide an interactive platform between prospective buyers and sellers of film and other content rights from India and abroad);

and (iii) Script Workshop (18th - 23rd November) with an aim to develop Indian scripts. The workshop will provide a platform for six to eight Indian scriptwriters to work out and finalise already developed screenplays through active interaction with a team of six renowned mentors, Indian and International, and then a series of master classes. The workshop will culminate with the announcement of the eight scripts selected for the Film Bazaar on 24 November.

Who are your partners at this event?
NFDC is making all efforts to maximise participation in this event, both from within India and abroad. To enable greater visibility for Indian cinema, NFDC has also partnered with Screen International in this endeavour. Our other media partner is Indiantelevision.com.

Who until now have confirmed their participation?
Amongst the confirmed participants from other countries are representatives of Fortissimo Films, Back Up Films, Global Film Initiative (USA), Wide Management (France), Pandora Films (Germany), Onoma International, Rezo Films, Arclight Films.
The European Producers Club is a partnering organisation in the Film Bazaar.