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The Communiqué News

Film Bazaar 2024: A Triumph of Cinematic Excellence and Global Collaboration at the 55th International Film Festival of India

Announcement of 'Work in Progress' (WIP), 'Film Bazaar Recommends' (FBR), and 'Student Producer Workshop Pitch Awards' at Film Bazaar 2024


French Institute of India Honoured for Its Continued Efforts in Promoting French Delegates' Participation in Film Bazaar


Acclaimed Casting Director Mukesh Chhabra Announces Collaboration with Film Bazaar on Two Co-Production Market Projects


Swati Bhat

18th edition of NFDC film bazaar

Film Bazaar 2024, held as part of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, concluded on a high note, celebrating cinematic innovation and global collaboration. Organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the event brought together industry leaders, emerging filmmakers, and international partners to foster creativity and new ventures in the film industry.

Key highlights at the Film Bazaar during the International Film Festival of India included Mukesh Chhabra’s announcement of his collaboration of two projects in Co-Production Market (CPM) projects, offering his casting expertise at no cost. Film Bazaar also unveiled new partnerships with Final Draft, Film Independent Episodic Writing Workshop, and SAAVA & ATF IP Accelerator.

The Work in Progress (WIP) Awards recognized films like Kaatti Ri Raatti: Hunter’s Moon and Shape of Momo with significant post-production support. In the Film Bazaar Recommends (FBR) category, three films received Rs. 3 lakh in sponsorship and promotional benefits. Deadly Dosas by Anusree Kelat won the Student Producer Workshop Pitch Award.

The newly introduced Co-Production Market Feature Cash Grants saw Kurinji (The Disappearing Flower) win First Prize. The French Institute of India was honoured for its role in promoting French participation. The event closed with a teaser for WAVES 2025, setting the stage for another year of ground-breaking achievements in Film Bazaar.







Prasar Bharati Launches WAVES OTT: A New OTT Platform at 55th International Film Festival of India 2024

The Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, officially launched ‘WAVES’, the OTT platform of the national public broadcaster Prasar Bharati, during the opening ceremony of the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.


Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of Information and Broadcasting, along with other dignitaries, was also present at the event.

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Waves OTT is A new OTT launched by Prasar Bharati

Doordarshan, India’s esteemed public broadcaster, has entered the OTT (Over-The-Top) platform arena to address the increasing demand for digital streaming services. The platform seeks to evoke nostalgia while embracing contemporary digital trends by offering a diverse blend of classic and modern programming. Featuring a library that includes timeless shows such as Ramayan, Mahabharat, Shaktimaan, and Hum Log, it appeals to audiences seeking cultural and emotional connections with India's heritage. Additionally, it provides news, documentaries, and regional content, underscoring its dedication to inclusivity and diversity. By leveraging its extensive legacy and national trust, Doordarshan's OTT platform effectively bridges the gap between traditional television and modern streaming, catering to both tech-savvy youth and older generations.

‘WAVES’ has emerged as a major aggregator OTT platform, showcasing Inclusive India stories that embrace Indian culture with an international perspective, available in over 12 languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Marathi, Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, Gujarati, Punjabi, and Assamese. It spans more than 10 genres of infotainment and offers video on demand, free-to-play gaming, radio streaming, live TV streaming, 65 live channels, various App-in-App integrations for video and gaming content, and online shopping through an ONDC-supported e-commerce platform. 

In a conscious effort to unlock the potential of young creators in the creative economy, WAVES provides its platform to content creators, including National Creator Awardees like Kamiya Jani, RJ Raunac, Shraddha Sharma, and others. WAVES has also opened its portal to student graduation films from film and media colleges such as FTII, Annapurna, and AAFT.

New Films and Shows on WAVES to be Screened at IFFI

In alignment with the focus of the 55th IFFI on young filmmakers, WAVES will screen ‘Roll No.52,’ a student graduation film from Annapurna Film and Media Studio by Nagarjuna and Amala Akkineni.

'Fauji 2.0,' a contemporary adaptation of the iconic 1980s Shahrukh Khan series Fauji, 'Kicking Balls' by Oscar-winning Guneet Monga Kapoor, 'Jackson Halt,' a crime thriller, and 'Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge,' themed around mobile toilets, will be showcased on WAVES.

WAVES features live events such as the Prabhu Shriram Lalla Aarti broadcasted live from Ayodhya and the monthly Mann ki Baat by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The forthcoming US Premier League Cricket Tournament will be streamed live on WAVES starting 22nd November, 2024. WAVES will also initiate a Cyber Security awareness campaign with daily video messages in collaboration with CDAC, MeitY. This initiative is supported by programs like Cyber Crime ki Duniya (a fictional series) and Cyber Alert (by DD News features).

Additional films and shows on WAVES include the fantasy action superhero film 'Monkey King: The Hero is Back', the national award-winning Fouja, Armaan, Vipul Shah’s thriller series Bhed Bharam, the family drama Thode Door Thode Paas featuring Pankaj Kapoor, Kailash Kher’s music reality show Bharat ka Amrit Kalash, Sarpanch, BeCubed by Hotmail Founder Sabeer Bhatia, and women-centric shows and films such as Corporate Sarpanch, Dashmi, and Kariathi, Jaanki. WAVES also offers a selection of popular animated programs including Doggy Adventure, Chota Bheem, Tenaliram, Akbar Birbal, and games like Krishna Jump, Fruit Chef, Ram the Yodha, and Cricket Premier League tournament.

Expanding the diversity of content formats, languages, genres, and reach, WAVES includes live channels such as Doordarshan, Akashvani, and various private channels spanning categories like news, general entertainment, music, devotional content, and sports.

Central Government Ministries and states are collaborating with Prasar Bharati to co-develop and contribute diverse content, including docudramas, dramatized or fictionalized shows, and reality shows with entertainment value, serving as effective vehicles for meaningful messages. Notable content includes a documentary on the 75th anniversary of the Supreme Court of India, the NFDC archives titled Cinemas of India, and rare archival content from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, featuring historical photos, journals, and publications. Contributions from the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Finance, IGNCA, Ministry of Culture, and India Post enrich WAVES with informative and entertaining programming.

The digital experience of WAVES blends Indian cultural ethos with a modern look and feel, offering a user-friendly interface, cross-platform compatibility, personalized profiles, and curated playlists, enhancing the streaming experience.

This launch represents a significant advancement not only for Prasar Bharati but also for digital media and OTT audiences, as it delivers a comprehensive infotainment ecosystem.

How can I download WAVES for iPhone and iPad?

How can I download WAVES for Windows PC?






Raising a Glass to the Best: Highlights from the 2023 India Wine Awards

December 18, 2023: From a list of 460 wine and sake nominations, 219 winning wines in multiple categories were announced for the fifth edition of the India Wine Awards, which are hosted by Sonal Holland Wine Academy in collaboration with ProWine. The greatest blind-tasting competition of Indian wines, both domestic and foreign, was held on November 24 at Jio World Convention Centre. Twenty jury members evaluated each wine in the competition using a 100-point rating system to make sure the winners represented the preferences of Indian consumers.


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110 wines were awarded in the Silver category, and 79 in the Gold. The wine that received the highest score among the 30 Best in Show winners was declared the best in show for that particular category. This year, sake was also added as a new category to recognise its growing popularity in the Indian market. In some categories, the jury found it difficult to choose a single winner, which occasionally resulted in a two- or three-way tie.

600 distinguished industry figures, including luminaries, leaders in hospitality, international trade organisations, and winemakers from all around the world, gathered for the Winners' Night. Among others, the evening honoured Rajeev Samant, the founder and CEO of Sula Vineyards, who is particularly notable for having laid the crucial groundwork for the development of the Indian wine sector. Sonal C. Holland herself gave him the "Indian Wine Industry Leader and Champion Award," which he well earned.

This year's event also marked the debut of a brand-new feature: IndiaWineAwards' 50 Best Places To Drink, a selection of the nation's top eateries and bars that provide outstanding drinking experiences for their patrons. Based on votes from the general public and jury members, the list was created to honour not only the best places to drink but also the hard work, skill, and friendliness of the staff who go into making these places especially memorable.

Mumbai-born Americano took first place in this category and became a fan favourite. Nine other notable venues that made it to the Top 10 Best Places to Drink came after Americano. These include Sidecar (New Delhi), Sula Tasting Room (Nashik), Copitas (Bengaluru), Masque (Mumbai), Hideaway (Goa), Comorin (Gurugram), Slink & Bardot (Mumbai), and The Bombay Canteen (Mumbai).

As the founder and chairperson of the India Wine Awards, Sonal C. Holland MW, noted, "With every passing year, we are growing bigger, better, and even bolder and that only reflects where the Indian wine industry firmly stands today." She also praised the hundreds of brands that ensure the steady growth of the Indian wine industry. The awards were a success this year.


List of Winners


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