Independent film makers, who are depressed with the non visibility of their works at the global level and those struggling to find financial support for their projects, have found some solace at the 7 edition of Bangalore International Film Festival (BIFFes).
Deepti DCunha, film programmer and consultant for Indian cinema at various film festivals, revealed the possibilities available for independent film makers at national and international forums, especially via NFDC Film Bazaar.
Film Bazaar’s co-production wing will provide a platform for film makers to make the right connections to get finance for their projects, she said, adding that it invites a select number of directors and producers to present their projects to co-producers, funders, distributors, sales agents and other financial partners. “Many film makers took advantage of this opportunity at the recently concluded IFFI in Goa,” she said.
Citing the example of Attihannu Mattu Kanaja by Prakash Babu, Ms. DCunha said, the film was in work in the Progress Lab of Film Bazaar. Considering the strength of the script, experts advised NFDC to support the film. Now, the film is in Asian Competition Section at BIFFes.
Kannada films also made their presence felt in the Film Bazaar at Goa. This year, the beneficiary was Thithi by Ram Reddy. Gali Beeja by Babu Eshwar Prasad and Life in Metaphors: A Portrait of Girish Kasaravalli , a documentary by Om Prakash Srivastava, are also under consideration at Film Bazaar, she said.
She also advised film makers to make use of Investor Pitch, introduced by NFDC at Film Bazaar, which provides a platform for investors to connect with film projects from different genres in various stages of completion. For any film to be considered, the applicant needs to apply to the Viewing Room. If the film is in need of gap financing and does make it to Film Bazaar Recommended selection, it would be a part of Investors Pitch.
Italio Spinelli, consultant for Asian films in the international circuit, told film makers to connect their films with the local culture.
