Pickle FILMS is pleased to present the conclusion of the Cannes Film Market 2023. The Cannes Film Market began and ended on a high note, with over 14,000 participants from 120 countries taking part. We are grateful to Marche for distributing Pickle Films in trade racks and online newsstands. Pickle has been on the trade shelves in Cannes since we began publishing in May 2007. Since then, we have significantly expanded its digital footprint and knowledge reports on the media and entertainment verticals from its newsletter and print-only beginnings.

Despite the intermittent rain, the Cannes Film Market was upbeat, with activities and programmes tailored to the interests of the delegates (from all filmed entertainment verticals). We congratulate Guillaume Esmiol, the new executive director of the Cannes Film Market, on his leadership in facilitating the best one can get in a marketplace, whether one’s interest is in buying, selling, financing, streaming, or simply absorbing new ideas from knowledge sessions. Navigating the Cannes Film Market would help businesses undergoing tough times recover faster. Marche’s daily newsletter communication, paired with Cinando, made it easier for delegates to find what they were looking for.

India has had a visible presence at the festival, offering Indian filmmakers and producers (both mainstream and independent) a platform to market their films and collaborate on co-production initiatives with global studios. Over 80 Indian businesses and 200 delegates were present in Cannes this year.

The Cannes Film Festival 2023 featured four Indian films: Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy, Kanu Behl’s Agra, Ariban Syam Sharma’s Ishanou, and Yudhajit Basu’s Nehemich.

The India Pavilion at 108 Village International in Riviera, designed by NID, was just outstanding. This year, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation concentrated on promoting India’s Creative Economy in Cannes. In Cannes, FICCI is the Industry Partner for the India Pavilion. The CII Marketplace in Palais looked remarkably identical to the India Pavilion, and the synergy worked to the benefit of portraying India as a whole. CII facilitated B2B meetings and exhibitor space, giving a thrust to business.

India has signed 16 audiovisual co-production agreements. Incentives for international productions and co-productions are close to 35% in India, which is comparable globally. Various states also provide incentives in the form of subsidies and tax breaks. Many Indian states have also developed their own film regulations to encourage filmmaking. For the first time in nearly two decades, a new India could be seen on the croisette.IFFI 2023 received a significant boost at Cannes, and it is clear that a record number of foreign delegates from over 100 nations will convene in Goa in November.

Ease of filming in Puducherry, Sikkim, and Jammu and Kashmir focused in Pickle Cannes issue generated lot of enquiries. These States and UTs are willing to go the extra mile to meet the needs of global producers. We have featured India’s new streaming platform Proreal (exhibitor at Cannes) who had non-stop meetings at their booth.

In the expanding streaming sector, Indian filmmakers and actors have already begun to occupy substantial mental space. Many of the Indian actors who have had their films shown in sidebar sections at the Cannes Film Festival have built an impressive presence on streaming services.

India’s thriving M&E industry offers appealing growth opportunities for both global and domestic businesses, and the government’s initiatives are aimed at maximising this sector’s potential.

Please email your views and suggestions. We will gladly address any inquiries you have about cooperating with Indian media and entertainment companies.

Nat Vidyasagar

nat@pickle.co.in