WAVES Film Bazaar Sets Sail in Goa with a Celebratory Inaugural Gathering
The market brings together 300 film projects and delegations from over seven countries
Korea meets India in Melody as Ms. Jaewon Kim Performs Vande Mataram
20 November 2025: The WAVES Film Bazaar, South Asia’s global film market, opened today at the Marriott Resort in Panjim, Goa with an inspiring inaugural ceremony attended by a distinguished gathering of leaders, policymakers, filmmakers, and global delegates. Held annually alongside the prestigious International Film Festival of India, the 19th edition of the Bazaar, which is now rebranded as the Waves Film Bazaar, serves as a global meeting point for filmmakers, producers, sales agents, festival programmers, and distributors seeking creative and financial partnerships. The market is scheduled from November 20th to 24th.
In his opening remarks, Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, described WAVES Film Bazaar as the natural and fitting beginning to IFFI’s celebrations. He called it a “complete ecosystem of screenings, masterclasses, and technology showcases,” and emphasised how the new identity of WAVES aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of “converting art into commerce.”
He highlighted the world’s first e-marketplace for filmmakers and stressed that WAVES is “connecting creators and countries, making India a meeting point for global collaboration.” He noted the wide array of curated projects, cash grants and structured feedback processes, while also spotlighting India’s first-ever AI Film Festival and Hackathon as essential steps toward embracing the future of cinematic technology.
Guest of Honour Ms. Jaewon Kim, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, applauded the organisers for their commitment and consistency since the first edition of the festival. Expressing hopes for active collaboration between India and Korea, she also delivered a soulful rendition of Vande Mataram, drawing warm applause and standing ovation from the audience.
Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, while inaugurating the Bazaar, spoke about the Prime Minister’s vision for India to emerge as a global hub of film production. Calling it a “bridge between creators and producers,” he praised the platform for empowering young voices and new storytellers, noting the participation of 124 new creators in the bazaar this year and reaffirming its role in taking Indian culture and content to the world.
Additional Secretary Shri Prabhat delivered the vote of thanks at the ceremony. The inaugural ceremony was also attended by IFFI Festival Director and celebrated filmmaker Shekhar Kapur; actors Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna and Shri Anupam Kher; Jerome Paillard, Advisor to Waves Bazaar; Garth Davis, Australian Film Director; and Shri Prakash Magdum, Managing Director, NFDC, together symbolising the dynamic confluence of creativity and industry leadership at this year’s event.
WAVES Film Bazaar: Showcasing Talent, Technology, and Global Collaboration
Formerly known as Film Bazaar, the initiative was launched by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) in 2007 and has grown into South Asia’s most influential film market.
The Bazaar brings together an expansive selection of more than 300 film projects across its curated verticals, including the Screenwriters’ Lab, Market Screenings, Viewing Room library and the Co-Production Market. The Co-Production Market features 22 feature films and 5 documentaries, while the WAVES Film Bazaar Recommends section presents 22 remarkable films across multiple formats. Delegations from over seven countries and film incentive showcases from more than ten Indian states further enrich the platform.
A dedicated Tech Pavilion offers a dynamic space for exploring cutting-edge VFX, CGI, animation and digital production tools. Adding to the forward-looking spirit of the event, this year also marks the introduction of the CinemAI Hackathon, organised in collaboration with LTIMindtree, inviting creators to experiment with AI-driven storytelling, certification processes and anti-piracy innovations.
With its seamless blend of creativity, technology, and global exchange, the WAVES Film Bazaar sets the stage for vibrant collaboration and discovery, reaffirming India’s role as a dynamic hub for cinematic ideas and international partnerships.
About IFFI
Born in 1952, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) stands tall as South Asia’s oldest and largest celebration of cinema. Jointly hosted by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), State Government of Goa, the festival has grown into a global cinematic powerhouse—where restored classics meet bold experiments, and legendary maestros share space with fearless first-timers. What makes IFFI truly sparkle is its electric mix—international competitions, cultural showcases, masterclasses, tributes, and the high-energy WAVES Film Bazaar, where ideas, deals and collaborations take flight. Staged against Goa’s stunning coastal backdrop from November 20–28, the 56th edition promises a dazzling spectrum of languages, genres, innovations, and voices—an immersive celebration of India’s creative brilliance on the world stage.
