India's independent filmmakers are joining forces at 61st Cannes 2008 despite the fact that this is, arguably, the worst year for Indian cinema at Cannes. Indian films in each category are conspicuous by their absence. Those who are gaga about their screenings are actually hiring facilities privately and beating their trumpets: "our film was screened at Cannes!", writes Dominique Pedro.

Indian Independent Filmmakers Worldwide will be organising a number of discussions from May 18- May 21, 2008 at India Pavilion, Village International, Cannes. And, all events are free.

Looking at their programme one notices the sheer insensitivity to the real issue: why Indian cinema is failing to find slots in the competitive sections of various international festivals. Whether you take India's independent producers or the corporate world of Mumbai, they all seem to be interested in only 'business', 'collaborations' and 'markets'. The real introspection about the quality of cinema is yet to start.

Bhuvan Lall, the man behind the independent filmmakers' coming together, is always in the forefront when it comes to promoting Indian film industry's interests abroad. As in the previous years, this year too, he has organised several events in Cannes.

In a press release, he says:

"All things considered, Indian Cinema, young and old, seems in better shape than many national cinemas. Over the past decade we have seen a massive growth in the Indian Cinema business."

He adds: "This two day event brings together most of the major leaders within the Indian Cinema Industry and from around the world, as well as new and emerging players in the field, in order to take stock of current work and outline directions for the future in the field. The goal of the two panels is to foster a deeper understanding of the aesthetic and commercial forces that have shaped practice of cinema in India."

The statement asks filmmakers to join 'a sterling panel of experts well-known filmmakers, producers, distributors, festival heads, critics, and financiers fresh from the trenches as they share the inside stories of how this business works.'

These panels will be hosted and moderated by filmmaker Krishna Shah and Bhuvan Lall who is also a producer and writer.

The entry to these events is FREE.

According to a press release both events will be followed by Cocktails at the India Pavilion hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) & Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

PANEL ONE
- How Global is Indian Cinema?
- How does the world view Indian Cinema?
- What will it take to penetrate North America and Latin American markets?
- What are the opportunities and threats in the Indian Cinema Business?
- Where will Indian Cinema be five years from now?

SPEAKERS
In Conversation with Ashok Amrithraj, Chairman, Hyde Park International, Los Angeles, USA, followed by a panel discussion with:

Aroon Shivdasani, Executive Director, Indo-American Arts Council Inc, USA
Derek Malcolm, Film Critic, UK
Jagmohan Mundhra, Filmmaker, UK & USA
Ketan Mehta, Filmmaker, India
Mira Advani Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter, USA
Nigel Glynn-Davies, CEO, Bollywood.tv, UK
Patrick Frater, Asian Editor, Variety, Hong Kong

PANEL TWO
SHOW ME THE RUPEES!
DOING BUSINESS WITH INDIAN FILMMAKERS
3 – 5 pm on Wednesday, 21ST May 2008
Location: INDIA PAVILION, Village International in Cannes

This panel is designed to explore the various funding, co production and distribution approaches of Indian filmmakers with new perspectives that recognize the transformative power of globalisation on the commercial value of Indian cinema. From budgeting the film correctly, to seeking out co productions, grants and creative financing, to making the best distribution deal, there are numerous opportunities and an equal amount of pitfalls to avoid

This panel examines
- What is the role of International film festivals and film markets?
- What are the funding options available for Indian Filmmakers?
- What are the co production treaties that are active in India and are to be signed in the future?
- How does an Indian filmmaker attract the attention of sales agents?
- How do International film companies work with Indian Filmmakers and Indian Cinema industry?

SPEAKERS
Alexandra Lebret, Managing Director, European Film Producers Club, France
Hannah Fisher, Dubai International Film Festival & Floating Film Festival, Canada
Liz Shackleton, Editor Asia, Screen International Hong Kong, TBC
Nina Gupta, Managing Director, NFDC, India, TBC
Sangeeta Singh, Director, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, India, TBC
Sudhir Misra, Filmmaker, India
Sunil Doshi, Film Producer, India
Parminder Vir OBE, Producer and Financier, UK
Peter Belsito, Executive Vice President, Film Finders (Withoutabox), USA