This is a new addition to the Cannes Film market and the tradition will now be continued annually with different nations in future editions. What makes this an amazing coincidence India will also be celebrating its 75th year of independence from British rule. The Cannes festival is also celebrating its 75th anniversary.

The market celebrations will start on May 18th at the Majestic Beach with an introduction from market executive directors Jérôme Paillard and Guillaume Esmiol and a welcome address from Anurag Singh Thakur, India’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting.

India will also be prominently visible throughout the festival this year. The Actor Deepika Padukone is on the jury for the main feature film competition. Indian filmmaker Shaunak Sen’s Sundance grand jury prize winning documentary ‘All That Breathes’ is showing as a special screening. Indian auteur Satyajit Ray’s ‘The Adversary’ (1970) and Aravindan Govindan’s ‘The Circus Tent’ will be screened at the festival’s Cannes Classics strand. Further world premieres of a selection of Indian films will be held at the Olympia Cinema.

The India Forum will be the first event to open the market’s conference program, on May 19th with a panel discussion, “India: The Content Hub of the World,” will feature the Indian government’s secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Apurva Chandra, chair of India’s Central Board of Film Certification Prasoon Joshi and veteran Indian filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.

The India Pavilion will be inaugurated at the Village International on May 18.

Jerome Paillard and Guilaume Esmiol said: “We are delighted to have India as our Country of Honor this year at the Marché du Film; and even happier to be able to share the celebration of our anniversary that we have in common – 75 years of Indian independence coinciding with the 75th Festival de Cannes.”

Apurva Chandra added: “We are taking giant strides in making India the content hub of the world, and this collaboration will be crucial in making the world better acquainted with what India has to offer.”

This new addition to the film market will no doubt be an interesting celebration each year and we look forward to learning more on what the market has in place for it’s country of year.