Mumbai: India will host the first-ever Global South Film Festival next year, it was announced on Friday during a press conference held on the sidelines of the BRICS WAVES Bazaar in Mumbai.
The announcement came alongside several initiatives aimed at strengthening international cooperation in the film and entertainment industry.
The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) signed agreements, exchanged Letters of Intent and held discussions with partner organisations from countries including Brazil, Russia and Vietnam. The participating institutions also agreed to explore opportunities for joint film production and other forms of collaboration.
The two-day BRICS WAVES Bazaar, which began in Mumbai on Thursday, concludes on Friday evening. According to NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum, the event brought together more than 900 delegates from 20 BRICS member and partner countries.
Around 250 business meetings were conducted during the one-and-a-half-day event, providing a platform for government agencies, filmmakers, entertainment industry professionals, investors and content creators to discuss partnerships and explore new opportunities.
The proposed Global South Film Festival is expected to further promote cultural exchange and collaboration among countries across the Global South through cinema and the wider entertainment sector.