IMPA Launches Global Business Initiative for Indian Cinema at 77th Cannes Film Festival

The Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association (IMPA), the largest organization of film producers in India, has unveiled a new business venture for Indian cinema on the global stage, this time at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. Spearheaded by IMPA President Abhay Sinha and Vice President Atul Patel, approximately 36 filmmakers showcased their works at the Cannes Film Market, resulting in numerous successful ventures.

IMPA’s Vice President, Atul Patel, revealed that the prestigious Federation Internationale d’Art Photographic (FIAP), recognized by UNESCO, has extended a membership offer to IMPA. This recognition is significant, as in India, only the Film Federation of India (FFI) and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) hold memberships, albeit both organizations have been inactive in their FIAP memberships for several years. FIAP, known for accrediting international film festivals globally, bestows recognition upon hundreds of events including Cannes, Berlin, Venice, Toronto, and Busan. However, in India, only four international film festivals – Goa, Kerala, Bengaluru, and Kolkata – have received FIAP’s acknowledgment. The annual membership fee for FIAP stands at 25,170 euros, approximately 25 lakh rupees. The membership is expected to empower IMPA to submit official entries from India for the prestigious Oscar Awards.

Addressing the concern raised by young filmmaker Chandrakant Singh about the entity responsible for submitting films from India for the Oscars, Atul Patel emphasized that while established filmmakers have succeeded in showcasing their films globally, numerous small-scale filmmakers in India lack such opportunities. IMPA’s participation in the Cannes Film Market has opened doors for these filmmakers, enabling them to secure business opportunities. For instance, Asit and Diana Ghosh’s film ‘Avni Ki Kismat’ garnered interest from six companies, while Ashok Kumar Sharma’s ‘Tale of Rising Rani’ found multiple buyers. IMPA President Abhay Sinha’s Bhojpuri film ‘Sanjog,’ produced in London, also received significant acclaim.

IMPA, established in 1937, boasts approximately 23,000 members, with ten thousand still actively engaged. For the first time, IMPA collaborated with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to set up its stall at the Cannes Film Market, inaugurated by Javed Ashraf, Ambassador of India to France, and Sanjay Jaju, Information Secretary, Government of India. IMPA showcased twelve films at the market, aiming to create a market for content-driven Indian cinema.

Abhay Sinha emphasized IMPA’s commitment to promoting content-based films to benefit small-scale Indian filmmakers. He stressed that India possesses countless stories that resonate globally, and concerted efforts can ensure the success of content-driven Indian films in Europe and America. Atul Patel expressed optimism regarding IMPA’s success at the Cannes Film Market, anticipating enhanced business prospects in the future. Additionally, IMPA organized several programs at FICCI’s India Pavilion, attracting significant participation from the film fraternity.

Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, highlighted the government’s incentive schemes for film production, including a cashback incentive of up to 40 percent or three million euros for foreign film producers. He underscored the government’s endeavors to position India as a preferred filming destination for international productions.

French Ambassador to India, Javed Ashraf, pledged embassy support to foreign filmmakers seeking to shoot in India, with many Indian embassies initiating the film visa scheme. The selection of Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s film ‘All We Imagine as Light’ in the main competition section of the Cannes Film Festival after thirty years has bolstered India’s presence on the global cinematic stage, promising opportunities for emerging filmmakers.