India was bestowed a special honour as it was declared as the official Country of Honour at the upcoming Marche’ Du Film, which will be held alongside the 75th edition of Cannes Film Festival in France.
Announcing this, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur said: “It is the first time the Marché du Film has an official Country of Honour, and this special focus will continue annually with different nations in the spotlight at future editions.”
This decision is significant keeping in context the important background of 75 years of diplomatic ties between India and France.
Elaborating on this, Thakur said the Country of Honour Status will ensure India’s presence as Focus Country at the Opening Night of Marche Du Films being organised at the Majestic Beach. The spotlight will be on India, its cinema, its culture and heritage.
Further highlighting the Indian flavour on that night will be a special performance by Indian Choir bands along with Folk Music and Fireworks while the cuisine served too will be Indian as well as French.
The Minister also informed that India will be “Country of Honour at the Cannes Next”, under which 5 new start ups will be provided an opportunity to pitch to the Audio-Visual Industry and it will see 10 professionals participating on the Animation Day networking.
The world premier of the film “Rocketry” produced by noted film actor R. Madhavan will be held at the Palais des Festivals of the market screening on May 19.
The remastered classic of legendary Satyajit Ray’s “Pratidwandi” will be screened at the Cannes Classic section Cinéma de la plage.
The India Pavilion in this edition of the festival will solely focus on branding India as “Content Hub of the World”. To be inaugurated on May 18, it will showcase Indian cinema across linguistic, cultural, and regional diversities of the country and will serve as networking platform for delegates from across the global community, aiming to establish international partnerships in film shooting, distribution, production, script development, technology, promoting film sales and syndication.
Also read: Satyajit Ray’s “Pratidwandi” to be screened at Cannes Film Festival
