Press Information Bureau

Mumbai, 5 September 2025

 

The Bharat Pavilion was formally inaugurated at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on 4^th September, 2025. This marks the debut of WAVES Bazaar - India’s first international e-marketplace for film, media, and AVGC-XR sector, in North America. The Pavilion was inaugurated by the Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Shri Ajay Nagabhushan, and Acting Consul General of India in Toronto Shri Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh, in the presence of Mr. Cameron Bailey, CEO, Toronto International Film Festival.

This year’s Bharat Pavilion focuses on WAVES Bazaar. Organized by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), WAVES Bazaar is a global e-marketplace bringing together creators and buyers from film, television, streaming, gaming, animation, music, and AVGC-XR. The platform facilitates networking, buyer-seller interactions, project showcases, and collaborations, enabling Indian creators and international stakeholders to engage in meaningful partnerships.

Addressing the gathering after the inauguration, Shri Ajay Nagabhushan said Bharat Pavilion at TIFF is not only a celebration of India’s cinematic excellence, but also a platform to build global partnerships. He also stated that India is being represented at TIFF by a delegation comprising solely of women-led film projects for the very first time. Six outstanding projects out of over 200 applications were selected by an expert international jury within a week through the WAVES Bazaar platform, he further said. “These extraordinary filmmakers are not just attendees, they are emissaries of a new era, one where women’s voices, visions, and stories are center stage on the global cinematic platform”, said the Joint Secretary, Ministry of I & B.

Speaking about the significance of the upcoming WAVES Bazaar event to be held on 6th September, 2025, on the sidelines of TIFF, Shri Nagabhushan said “WAVES, a landmark initiative of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, held at Mumbai in February, is resonating across the world and its impact and reach can also be seen in Canada. WAVES Bazaar event here will witness a series of activities including panel discussions, round table, policy dialogue and series of B2B meetings between Indian and International delegates”.

Shri Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh stated, “Toronto is home to a vibrant film industry and a large Indian diaspora. The launch of WAVES Bazaar at TIFF is a timely step towards strengthening India–Canada cultural and business ties.”

Mr. Bailey highlighted TIFF’s commitment to fostering cross-cultural partnerships and acknowledged India’s growing influence in the global cinematic landscape. Widely recognized as one of the most influential figures in international cinema, Mr. Bailey has transformed TIFF into a truly global film festival, championing diversity, amplifying new voices, and creating a global platform for groundbreaking storytelling.

The multi-pronged discussions, after the inauguration, focused on the importance of WAVES and its outcomes, WAVES Bazaar’s potential as a bridge between Indian and international creative economies, and explored the possibility of collaboration in establishing a dedicated Film Market at TIFF in the near future, with Indian content taking centre-stage. Such an initiative would serve as a catalyst for co-productions, content exchange, and industry collaboration between India and North America.

The Bharat Pavilion at TIFF 2025, curated by NFDC, serves as a dynamic hub for global networking, B2B meetings, and film industry exchanges, underscoring India’s growing leadership in the international media and entertainment sector.

 

About NFDC:

The National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) is the central agency established to promote the growth of Indian cinema globally. Through film production, international collaborations, co-production treaties, festivals, and market initiatives like WAVES Bazaar, NFDC is committed to nurturing talent and expanding the reach of Indian cinema worldwide.

 

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PIB Mumbai | Sriyanka Chatterjee/Darshana Rane

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(Release ID: 2164200)