**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting highlights India's presence at the European Film Market (EFM) 2026 in Berlin, marked by the inauguration of the Bharat Pavilion. This initiative showcases India's cinema, culture, innovation, and growing role in the global film industry. The event, running alongside the Berlin International Film Festival, emphasizes international collaboration and partnership opportunities.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Bharat Pavilion Inauguration:**
* Formally inaugurated by H.E. Ambassador Shri Ajit Vinayak Gupte.
* Serves as a dynamic meeting point for business meetings, co-production discussions, networking, and industry dialogues.
* **Indian Filmmaker Participation:**
* Nine Indian filmmakers are actively engaging with international producers, sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers.
* Exploration of partnerships beyond traditional film trade, focusing on cross-border collaboration.
* **Technological Innovation:**
* Four Indian tech start-ups are present at the EFM Innovation Hub.
* Showcasing cutting-edge tools and platforms for immersive storytelling, digital production, and media ecosystems.
* **Create in India Challenge:**
* Two winners of the Create in India Challenge (CIC) are part of the delegation.
* Spotlighting breakthrough ideas and young creative entrepreneurs.
* **State Representation:**
* A cultural delegation from Maharashtra is present.
* Showcasing favorable policies, funding options, and resources for film productions.
* Delhi's delegation to promote Delhi International Film Festival.
* **Upcoming Film Festivals:**
* Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2026 is scheduled for June 2026.
* International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is held annually from 20th to 28th November.
* Festivals serve as key platforms for cinematic exchange and co-production.
**Impact Analysis**
**International Film Industry Leaders, Cultural Representatives:**
* **Impact:**
Opportunity to engage with Indian cinema, culture, and innovation. Opportunity to explore potential partnerships and collaborations.
* **Action Required:**
Attend meetings, dialogues, and networking events at the Bharat Pavilion.
**Indian Filmmakers:**
* **Impact:**
Exposure to international markets and potential co-production opportunities.
* **Action Required:**
Actively participate in market meetings and project discussions.
**Indian Tech Start-ups:**
* **Impact:**
Opportunity to showcase their innovative tools and platforms. Increased visibility in the global entertainment ecosystem.
* **Action Required:**
Present their solutions at the EFM Innovation Hub.
**NFDC (National Film Development Corporation):**
* **Impact:**
Responsible for organizing the Bharat Pavilion and promoting India's film industry.
* **Action Required:**
Manage the Bharat Pavilion, facilitate interactions, and promote upcoming film festivals.
Key Entities Referenced
European Film Market (EFM) 2026: International film market held alongside the Berlin International Film Festival, serving as a global platform for film industry professionals.
Bharat Pavilion: Official platform inaugurated by India at the European Film Market (EFM) 2026 to showcase cinema, culture, and innovation.
Berlin International Film Festival: An important film festival where the European Film Market is held.
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC): Organization involved in organizing the Bharat Pavilion at EFM.
Berlin: The city where the European Film Market (EFM) 2026 and Berlin International Film Festival take place.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
India Showcases Cinema, Culture and Innovation
in Berlin at European Film Market 2026 with
Bharat Pavilion Launch
Active Participation of Indian Filmmakers Highlights Growing
Global Interest in Indian Cinema
Create in India Winners and States Showcase Creative
Strength at Global Platform
India Showcases Cutting-Edge Creative-Tech Innovation and
AVGC-XR Capabilities at EFM Innovation Hub 2026
Posted On: 13 FEB 2026 5:30PM by PIB Delhi
Marking a powerful and multidimensional presence at the European Film Market (EFM) 2026, held
alongside the Berlin International Film Festival, India formally inaugurated the Bharat Pavilion, its
official platform at the market, underlining the country’s expanding global role across cinema, culture, and
creative technologies. The Pavilion was inaugurated by H.E. Ambassador Shri Ajit Vinayak Gupte,
Ambassador of India to Germany, in the presence of prominent international market leaders, cultural
representatives, and the Indian film and innovation delegation.
The inauguration ceremony reflected the growing depth of India–Germany engagement in the creative and
cultural sectors. Among the distinguished attendees were Ms. Tanja Meissner, Director of Berlinale Proand Head of the European Film Market, who leads one of the world’s most influential film markets; Mr.
Peter Domsch, Head of Sales & Design, EFM, instrumental in shaping international participation and
strategic industry engagement; and Ms. Trisha Sakhlecha, Director of the Tagore Centre, whose work has
been central to strengthening artistic and cultural dialogue between India and Germany. The event was
also attended by senior officials from the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), members of
the Embassy of India in Berlin, and a diverse Indian delegation representing the country’s evolving
creative ecosystem.
Indian Filmmakers Expand Global Partnerships
India’s presence at EFM this year stands out for its strong blend of storytelling excellence and innovation-
led participation. A major highlight is the participation of nine Indian filmmakers, who are actively
engaging with international producers, sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers. Their presence
reflects India’s growing integration into global co-production networks and the rising international
appetite for Indian stories across languages and genres. Through structured market meetings and project
discussions, these filmmakers are exploring partnerships that extend beyond traditional film trade, into
cross-border collaboration and long-term creative alliances.
Equally significant is the participation of a delegation of four emerging start-ups representing India’s
rapidly expanding media-tech and creative-tech sectors. These companies bring forward solutions that
intersect storytelling, technology, and digital production, demonstrating how India’s creative economy is
increasingly being shaped by innovation. Their presence at EFM signals India’s transition from being seen
solely as a major content-producing nation to being recognized as a hub for technological advancement in
the global entertainment ecosystem.
Young Innovators Represent IndiaThe delegation also includes two winners of the Create in India Challenge (CIC), spotlighting
breakthrough ideas and young creative entrepreneurs whose work embodies the spirit of innovation-driven
storytelling.
Their participation highlights the country’s emphasis on nurturing new talent and providing global
exposure to emerging voices. A cultural delegation from Maharashtra is also present, showcasing the
state’s commitment to supporting filmmakers through favorable policies, funding options, and an array of
resources for film productions, while reinforcing Maharashtra’s position as a major player on the global
film map. Delhi’s delegation is here to promote the Delhi International Film Festival, highlight special
filming incentives and clearance processes, and showcase the city’s exquisite shooting locations to a
global audience.
During interactions at the Pavilion, NFDC management also spoke about India’s upcoming flagship
festivals, including the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2026, scheduled for June 2026, and
the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), held annually from 20th to 28th November. These festivals
were positioned as key global platforms for cinematic exchange, co-production, and market engagement,
inviting greater international participation and collaboration.
In his address, Ambassador Shri Ajit Vinayak Gupte emphasized cinema and creativity as powerful
instruments of international engagement. He noted that India’s presence at EFM reflects not only itslongstanding storytelling traditions but also its expanding role in global creative industries. He highlighted
the growing synergies between India and Germany in film, culture, and innovation, and underscored the
importance of platforms such as EFM in building enduring creative and economic partnerships.
Bharat Pavilion unites creative stakeholders
Organized by NFDC, the Bharat Pavilion serves as a dynamic meeting point for the international
industry. Throughout the market, the Pavilion is hosting business meetings, co-production discussions,
networking interactions, and industry dialogues, while also promoting India as a compelling filming
destination and collaborative content partner. It acts as a central space where filmmakers, producers,
technology innovators, cultural representatives, and global stakeholders converge to explore partnerships.
A key dimension of India’s participation this year is its presence at the EFM Innovation Hub, where four
Indian tech start-ups are presenting cutting-edge tools and platforms that address emerging needs in
immersive storytelling, digital production, and media ecosystems. Their engagement highlights India’s
growing footprint in the AVGC-XR and creative innovation space, demonstrating how technological
entrepreneurship is becoming integral to the future of storytelling. This reflects a broader national focus on
supporting start-ups and fostering innovation across the creative industries.
India’s structured and forward-looking participation at EFM 2026 reflects a clear strategic vision to
position the country as a global leader not only in content creation but also in creative entrepreneurship,
cultural exchange, and innovation-driven growth. By bringing together filmmakers, start-ups, cultural
institutions, and international industry leaders, the Bharat Pavilion stands as a symbol of India’s expanding
engagement with the global film and media landscape. As EFM continues, the Bharat Pavilion remains a
vibrant hub of activity, dialogue, and collaboration, strengthening India’s connections with the
international film community and reinforcing its role in shaping the future of global entertainment.
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Mahesh Kumar / Vivek Vishwash
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