Daijiworld Media Network - Goa (mb)
from special correspondent

Panaji, Nov 26: International film-makers expect to forge new and lasting relationship with Indian filmmakers and enthusiasts during the ongoing film bazaar hosted by National Films Division Corporation (NFDC) on the sidelines of international film festival of India (IFFI) 2007.
 
Contrary to earlier practice of stalls at IFFI venues itself, NFDC which is hosting film bazaar at a five-star hotel here, has participation of 250 delegates drawn from across the globe.
 
"The bazaar intends to promote collaboration amongst various countries participating here," NFDC's managing director, Nina Lath Gupta, stated.
 
The bazaar, which has demolished the walls of stalls and has participants sitting across the table and discussing the business of cinema, has 40 delegates from various countries including UK, Netherlands, France, USA, Mauritius, Hong Kong, China and others.
 
"We have practically most of the countries which are having film relations with India represented here," Gupta said.
 
Excitement is evident amongst the delegates as NFDC's script-writing workshop and discussions thereafter had wholehearted participation of Danis Tanovic (No Man's Land),   Olivia Hertreed (Girl with a Pearl Earring), Bernd Lichtenberg (Goodbye Lenin) who are teaming up with the Indian masters like Mani Ratnam. Shaji Karun, Anjum Rajabali and Ashwini Malik.
 
NFDC officials stated that international participants include Global Film Initiative, Back Up Films, Onoma International, Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation, Shanghai Film Group, China Film Co-production, Arclight Films Malaysian Broadcasting Corporation, Astra and Miriam Arab of Cannes Market.
 
Sales agents and financiers including Fortissimo Films and Paris based Memento Films, and Germany's Pandora are also attending the three-day event, officials added.

"There has been increasing interest of international filmmakers into Indian films because they think Indian Cinema, which is made in twenty different languages, is exciting," Gupta said.
 
NDFC, cashing in on this 'excitement and interest', provides the platform for the film-makers from different world to interact. "This is a place to meet and network," the NFDC MD stated.
 
Carving out a different initiative, Film Bazaar also presents fourteen pre-selected projects from various parts of the country as a part of this edition, Gupta said.
 
These projects would be presented to the international film-makers, which may take shape of a film once deal is struck, NFDC official stated.