India Pavilion at Cannes opens on May 13

The India Pavilion at Festival De Cannes, organised by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) will commence on May 13, showcasing the country's cinema to the world audience, in France.

The Pavilion, which opens a day after the 63rd Cannes Film Festival kickstarts on May 12, will be inaugurated by Information and Broadcasting secretary Raghu Menon in the presence of filmmaker Subhash Ghai, singers-music composers Shankar Mahadevan and Himesh Reshmaiya among others.

"It sure will be great moment of glory for whole of the Indian cinema. The stellar gathering literally echoes the sentiments for globalisation of film-trade," said Sujata Dev, chairperson of Assocham Committee for Media and Entertainment.

India Pavilion will also host workshops on subjects like visual co-production agreements, contribution of noted filmmaker Mrinal Sen to world cinema, IPR & copyright regime, IFFI Goa, India: 'The Emerging Animation Hub, Digital Platforms, Required Cinemas and Parallel Cinema'.

"Two films which are expected to be premiered at the India Pavilion are 'Hiss' starring Mallika Sherawat by Jenifer Lynch and 'Love Barack', an Indo American Production by Doug Mchenry," Dev said.

Also, the Pavilion run at the prestigious festival, which ends on May 23, will facilitate the screening of films from independent and new film makers like 'Gafla' by Sameer Hanchante, 'Baangdya' by K K Jape, 'Akkar Bakkar' by Avijit Dutt as well as 'Fatal Love' by Irshul Ishu.

Multiple trailers and promos of forthcoming films from leading Indian production companies are expected to be shown during the festival.

Promos of animation films like 'India Fables', 'Alibaba and 41 Chor' by Accel Animation, 'Sultan the Warrior' by Ocher Studios, 'Badmaash Company' by Yash Raj Films, 'Ferrari ki Savari', 'Munna Bhai Chale America' by Vinod Chopra Productions, 'Broken Horses' and 'Taalisman' by Vinod Chopra Productions will also be screened.

ASSOCHAM is planning to release jointly with ministry of Information & Broadcasting, a comprehensive directors of
Indian Producers along with their contact details, handbooks
on Legal Issues, Cinema, Television and IT, a publication on
the salient features of Co- Productions and a brochure on the
theme "India as a Filming Destination" at the Cannes Festival.

The I&B  ministry has shortlisted ASSOCHAM to organise
the India Pavilion and mobilising the Indian film industry's
participation at the festival.

Eminent Indian film personalities have also been a part of the film jury. Last year it was Sharmila Tagore and this year the country will be represented by  Shekhar Kapur. 

An Indian film, 'Udaan' directed by Vikramaditya Motwane and produced by Anurag Kashyap has been selected to be screened at 'Un Certain Regard' section.

Mrinal Sen's film, 'Khandahar' (The Ruins) will be screened in the Cannes Classics Section, as a tribute to this great Indian filmmaker.