The NFDC Waves Film Bazaar 2025, hosted alongside the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, has successfully concluded after five dynamic days of industry engagement. This edition, hailed as one of its strongest, served as a major hub for filmmakers, producers, studios, and international delegates, showcasing a significant rise in the scale and ambition of projects emerging from South Asia.
A Celebration of Cinema and Key Awards
The closing ceremony provided a comprehensive recap of the Bazaar's activities, which included the prestigious Co-Production Market, the Work-in-Progress Lab, the Script Lab, the Viewing Room, and a full schedule of industry sessions and networking events. The event began on a solemn note with a moment of silence observed for the legendary actor Dharmendra.
The awards ceremony was a central highlight. In the Co-Production Market, the top honor of USD 10,000 was awarded to "Kakthet (Idiot)" directed by Stenzin Tankong. The second prize of USD 5,000 went to "Ulta (Madam)" by Paromita Dhar. The coveted Netflix Documentary Grant was secured by "Simhastha Kumbh" directed by Amitabha Singh.
Other notable winners included "The Manager" by Sandeep Sreelekha, which received the Red Sea Fund award of USD 2500. In the Work-in-Progress Lab, "Azhi" directed by Hessa Salih and "Ustad Bantoo" directed by Arsh Jain were jointly awarded a cash prize of USD 5000.
Expanding Support for Filmmakers
The Bazaar further solidified its role as a crucial support system through various grants and post-production awards. "Nazma Ka Tadka", written by Sapan Taneja, won the Platoon One Script Grant of ₹2 Lac. Casting support from the Mukesh Chhabra Casting Company was awarded to the project "Teacher's Pet".
Post-production and finishing support, a major strength of the event, was extended by companies like Nube Studios, Prasad Corporation, and Moviebuff. Key awards benefited a wide array of in-progress projects, including "Khoriya", "The Ink Stained Hand and the Missing Thumb", "Born Yesterday", and "Khamosh Nazar Aate Hain", among others.
The Matchbox GAP Award for Best Project went to "Echoes of the Herd" for mentorship support, while "Like a Feather in the Wind" received a Special Jury Mention with full post-production backing worth up to 20 lakhs INR. "Soul Whisperers" by Leo Thaddeus won the M5 Global Film Fund Award, and "Chingam" secured a 10-screen theatrical release from Reborn India Film Distribution.
Fostering New Talent and Technological Innovation
The event also placed a strong emphasis on nurturing the next generation and embracing new technologies. The Student Producers' Workshop spotlighted emerging talent, with awards for projects like "Tengina Nadu" and "Shambho -- The Eggman Cometh".
The growing influence of artificial intelligence in filmmaking was highlighted through the AI Film Festival and CinemAI Hackathon, presented by LTI Mindtree. Innovative projects such as "KYRA", "Nagori", and "The Red Crayon" were recognized for their creativity and technical prowess, signaling a new frontier for the industry.
With its successful blend of market activity, talent discovery, and international collaboration, the NFDC Waves Film Bazaar 2025 has firmly reinforced its position as the premier launchpad for South Asian cinema on the global stage.
