With the government pushing film co-production treaties with other countries in a big way, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa this year will see a segment of the film market specifically devoted to this aspect.
The government-owned National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) will conduct this co-production market in Goa during the festival from November 24 to 26 as an important part of the Film Bazaar.

Showcase projects
The co-production market will offer selected directors and producers the opportunity to present their feature film projects in all languages and at any state of production, to co-producers, bankers, funds, distributors, TV stations and other potential financers from India and abroad, official sources said here.

The feature film projects, which the producers and distributors of various languages will present at the market, will be in English language version. 

The objective of the initiative is to promote the concept of “Cinemas of India”, reflecting the diversity of Indian cinema that goes much beyond the Hindi film industry recognised globally as Bollywood.

“Entry in this market would be by invitation only and a maximum of 15 projects would be pre-selected for the 2007 edition. NFDC will set up meetings by the organisers between the presenters of the selected projects and the industry delegates,” the sources said.  The deadline for submitting a project to NFDC is September 28.

‘Potent films only’
The main criteria for selection, the sources said, would be “the viability and quality” of the project submitted and the “demonstrable talent” of the directors and/or producers.  The projects can be in all stages of production, from script to rough cut but they have to be new or recent in their nature.

“The projects should have the potential of an international market. Directors or producers should submit a complete screenplay along with their application,” the sources said.