MUMBAI: The India Focus Films kicked off to a bright start at the Cannes Film Festival in the Tous Les Cinemas Du Monde (All Cinemas of the World) section on 18 May 2007.
Seven Indian movies are being screened as part of the package and the interest among the world cinema lovers is visible in the queue that lined up to watch the Dr Biju directed Malayalam movie Saira.
The India presence is visible at Cannes with over 20 Indian showbiz companies exhibiting their projects and products at the India Pavilion and exhibition area Palais organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry with the support of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Over 80 companies from India, including 40 independent filmmakers, are at Cannes with an arsenal of over 150 films (mainly for the market).
Cannes Film Festival honcho Catherine Demier formally opened the India focus section in the presence of Asha Swarup, secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Serge Sobczynski, head of the Cinema of the World Section. All the seven directors of the India Focus movies were present on the occasion.
Demier said the India Focus section is a treasure trove of cultural diversity, democracy and modernity in the new India. Swarup said that there is a steady rise in the dynamism and confidence of the India business sector and the Indian filmed entertainment space is bubbling with new growth prospects and showing visible signs of maturity in recent times.
The India party, which followed as part of the India Focus, was attended by over 1,000 people, at the Majestic Beach.
India also announced the 38th International Film Festival of India at Goa from 23 November – 3 December 2007 at the inauguration of the India Pavilion, which was formally inaugurated by Ambassador to India in France Ranjan Mathai.
Mathai said the India is top in cultural radar of Europe, especially in France and the India attention at Cannes is a significant step as this year of the film festival coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Indian Independence and 60 years of Cannes Film Festival. “Indian filmed entertainment is an important part of our diplomatic armoury,” he added.
