Cannes Film Festival 2022: FICCI director general Arun Chawla talks about programmes planned for Indian Pavilion at Cannes

India will be the Country of Honour at this year's Cannes Film Festival, which will be held from May 17 to May 28. Arun Chawla, director general of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), recently discussed the programmes and plans for Indian Pavilion at the festival with Hindustan Times.

The official Country of Honour for the 2022 Marche du Film - Festival de Cannes is India. Several of the Marche du Films' industry activities, as well as other initiatives planned this year, will showcase India. Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, helmed by R Madhavan; Alpha Beta Gamma, helmed by Shankar Srikumar; Godavari, helmed by Nikhil Mahajan; Boombra Ride, helmed by Biswajeet Bora; Niraye Thathakalull A Maram, helmed by Jayaraj; Dhun, helmed by Achal Mishra will be part of the showcase.

Arun Chawla said that this year, the Indian Pavilion at Cannes will host a start-up pitch session as well called 'Cannes Next,' an executive summit and innovation-driven corporate development platform focusing on the film industry's potential. This is a new phase created by best visionaries and planners to help one develop their connections with creators, clients, and tech firms through a custom-made series of stimulating seminars, presentations, and discussion groups.

The Ministry of Culture establishes the India Pavilion to provide a homely environment for Indian filmmakers attending the Cannes Film Festival and Market. Meetings of film commissioners with global leaders in the media and entertainment sphere, as well as officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, presented policy inputs to boost filming activities in India during the Cannes Film Market.

The director general also spoke about how international film festivals have benefited Indian film industry. Discussions with the leaders of global film festivals have also aided in increasing India's visibility in global film festivals while also enriching the content of The International Film Festival of India. At the India Pavilion, business contacts between Indian delegates and those from other countries have boosted co-production efforts. Indian filmmakers and their international counterparts, funding prospects for Indian filmmakers, and having Indian films picked up by sales agents for international distribution as well as inclusion in major film festivals are all things that are discussed.