Waves Film Bazaar 2025: Hong Kong–India Film Ties Deepen

HKTDC’s Ruzbeh Mistry Reveals Big Opportunities Ahead of Filmart 2026

Swati Bhat

A/V Courtesy: Pritish Bagdi CLICK ON IMAGE TO VIEW THE INTERVIEW

In an exclusive, wide-ranging conversation with Swati Bhat, Editor-in-Chief of The Communique News, Mr. Ruzbeh Mistry, Executive Head – South Asia at the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), shed light on Hong Kong’s rapidly growing collaboration with India’s dynamic film and content ecosystem.

From bold new opportunities in co-production and content distribution to the rise of animation, AI, and regional cinema, the interview offered a definitive preview of what the industry can expect from Filmart 2026, Asia’s leading film and entertainment marketplace.

Strengthening India–Hong Kong Film Cooperation

Mr. Mistry emphasized HKTDC’s strategic focus on India — one of the world’s fastest-growing entertainment markets — and highlighted why Hong Kong is emerging as a preferred business gateway for Indian producers, studios, and OTT platforms.

This year, HKTDC’s active presence at NFDC’s Film Bazaar is part of a larger push to expand bilateral collaboration.

Well-established Indian industry leaders such as Zee TV and Ultra are already regular participants at Filmart, leveraging Hong Kong’s global networking advantage.

Why HKTDC Filmart Matters for Indian Filmmakers & Media Companies?

Filmart is uniquely positioned to offer India direct access to global markets through:

*Co-production alliances with Asian and European partners

*Distribution deals for films, OTT content, and regional-language titles

*Networking with international sales agents & festival programmers

*Exhibitor opportunities for Indian streaming platforms and studios

*Panels, masterclasses, and pitching forums curated for content creators

For Indian exhibitors, the Hong Kong marketplace has consistently generated business outcomes ranging from licensing deals to high-value international collaborations.

#event #entertainment #art #HKTDS #filmart #event2026 #wavesfilmbazaar #iffi #iffi2025

Rajkumar Hirani on the Emotional Journey from Writing to Editing at IFFI 2025

On the fifth day of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Panaji, Goa, the day included an enlightening masterclass by the well-known writer/director Mr. Rajkumar Hirani, along with exclusive film screenings and numerous other activities.

Swati Bhat

In his Masterclass on Writing and Editing, Rajkumar Hirani emphasised that writing is the process of envisioning a film, whereas editing is the phase where a film is truly experienced. He highlighted the often-overlooked significance of an editor, noting that a film attains its true essence at the editing table. Mr. Hirani also explored the underlying themes in some of his iconic films.

During the film screenings, critically acclaimed works were showcased, including the Japanese film "Two Seasons, Two Strangers," the world premiere of the Albanian film "Hana," and Govind Nihalani’s 1984 classic "Party." Creators of non-mainstream films such as "Lala and Poppy" and "The Pursuit of Spring" offered insights into their projects, emphasizing how their storytelling seeks not only to entertain but also to make a lasting impact on audiences.

Later in the day, IFFI’s musical event, IFFIesta, will conclude at the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium. The finale will feature programs such as Battle of Bands, Suron Ka Eklavya, Waah Ustad, and Devanchal ki Prem Katha.

Grand Finale: Celebrating the Triumphs of Young Filmmakers at the 48-Hour Challenge in IFFI 2025

Day 04 of IFFI 2025 highlighted international talent through creative challenges

Swati Bhat

Day 04 of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 was a vibrant assembly of global talent, marked by the conclusion of intense creative challenges and inspiring masterclasses.

The day began with the grand finale of the 48-hour Challenge of Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT), capturing the exhaustion, relief, and joy of young filmmakers as they presented their final projects.

The PIB Media Centre was the lively heart of the festival, hosting a series of significant press conferences. Directors and actors from 'De Tal Palo' (Iván Dariel Ortiz Landrón, José Félix Gómez) and 'Pike River' (Robert Sarkies) shared their compelling stories, while the teams behind 'Seaside Serendipity' (Tomomi Yoshimura) and 'Tiger' (Anshul Chauhan, Kosei Kudo, Mina Moteki) highlighted the strong influence of Asian cinema.

Indian regional cinema and documentaries were prominently showcased, with Sandesh Kadur, Paresh Mokashi, and Debangkar Borgohain discussing their unique films: 'Nilgiris – A Shared Wilderness,' 'Mukkam Post Bombilwadi,' and 'Sikaar'. International artistry continued to captivate as directors Christina Theresa Tournatzès ('Karla') and Hayakawa Chie ('Renoir') shared their creative journeys in a joint session.

The highlight of Day 04 was the much-anticipated Masterclass: 'Giving Up is NOT a Choice!'. Renowned Actor and Speaker Anupam Kher enthralled the audience at Kala Academy with a powerful and motivational speech that reinforced the day's theme of resilience and passion.

Conclusion of 48 hours of Challenge of CMOT

The 48-hour "Creative Minds of Tomorrow" (CMOT) challenge concluded with a closing ceremony today, November 23, 2025, at the Kala Academy in Goa, as part of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025.

#iffi #iffi2025 #CMOT #event #entertainment