NFDC Film Bazaar’s Co-Production Projects at Cannes Film Market

For the first time, NFDC Film Bazaar is part of the Co-Production Day (July 9) at the Cannes Film Market with seven projects. The seven projects are Dengue by Prantik Basu (India, Netherlands), Rasa (Immerse) by Anjali Menon (India), Kuhiro Pariko Sahar (A Hidden Tale Behind The Mist) by Pasang Dawa Sherpa (Nepal), Moving Bangladesh by Nuhash Humayun (Bangladesh), Last Time On Earth by Paromita Dhar (India, France), Ghol (The Catch) by Rishi Chandna and Second Chance by Subhadra Mahajan (India). During one-to-one speed meeting sessions, filmmakers will have the opportunity to connect with projects in development looking for co-producers and financiers and one-on-one meetings. This will open new opportunities for filmmakers and it is a great initiative by NFDC in the challenging Covid-19 times. No doubt, Marché du Film (Cannes) is the biggest film market in the world that will be having its online as well as physical edition from 06-15 July, 2021.

Now, OFCOM in Action

It is not just in India that regulation is put in place for video streaming platforms like Amazon Prime, Netflix, Disney Hotstar, Zee5 and Voot among others. OFCOM, the UK media regulator, plans to regulate streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime in the same level playing field as the BBC and ITV. OFCOM is set to bring on demand services, allowing complaints over inaccuracy and bias. Netflix’s royal drama The Crown was embroiled in controversy with the UK Government — over portrayal of historical events in the drama. It may also be remembered after a lot of criticism a couple of years ago Amazon Prime removed its anti-vaccine documentaries from Prime Video Streaming. Now, countries around the world are waiting for the white paper from OFCOM.

Mohanlal’s Marakkar to get 3-week Theatre Run in 600 Screens

The Kerala film industry has decided to exclusively screen Mohanlal starrer, Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, for a period of three weeks in theatres in Kerala from August 12 to coincide with the Onam festival. This is as per an agreement reached between the Film Exhibitors’ United Organisation of Kerala (FEUOK) and the Kerala Film Producers’ Association (KFPA) to revive the ailing Malayalam film industry hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. Though the decision not to release any other movies during the three-week exclusive window for the Priyardarshan-directed movie was taken based on the inference that a major film was needed to bring back the audience to the theatres once the pandemic situation eased, some stakeholders are questioning the move. How an association can take such an unilateral decision, they wonder.

Zee Denies Merger with Viacom18

Eventhough Zee Entertainment Enterprises has denied there is no credence to reports about a potential merger with Viacom18, it continues to be the talking point among media industry executives. Ashish Agarwal, Company Secretary, Zee Entertainment Enterprises in a regulatory filing to BSE listing department stated that “there is no transaction being undertaken and the matter is speculative in nature.” The market buzz is not something new for ZEE, as the speculation of who will Zee partner with or acquired has been heard on the street for over two years. Only the suitors are changing…

Connectivity & Communication are Basic Rights: Mukesh Ambani

Industrialist Mukesh Ambani has pressed for bridging the digital divide “both among nations and within nations”, and said connectivity and communications have become the fundamental rights of every person. Also, there is a need to bring back the economies around the globe, he added. Addressing the Qatar Economic Forum, he said it is difficult to imagine what India would have been without the 4G telecom network during the pandemic. The Reliance chief said, “The digital divide must be bridged, both among nations and within nations. This is because connectivity and communications have become the basic needs, and also fundamental rights of every human being on the planet (just) as basic as food, clothing, and shelter.”

Dish TV to Raise Rs 1,000 crore

Dish TV India Ltd said its board has approved raising up to Rs 1,000 crore through a rights issue in one or more tranches. In a regulatory filing, the Essel Group firm said, the board of the company in a meeting held on Monday “approved the fundraising of up to ₹1,000 crores through rights issue of equity shares”. It added: “This would be subject to receipt of such corporate, regulatory and other approvals/consents, as may be required under applicable rules, regulations and laws.” Funds would be raised through issuance of fully paid-up equity shares at ₹10 apiece, including premium of ₹9 per fully paid-up equity share, to eligible shareholders of the company as on the record date.

By the Numbers: There are 1.18 billion mobile phones and 775 million Internet users in India