**Executive Summary**
The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) has announced 12 selected projects for the second edition of WAVES Doc Bazaar, to be held from June 16–18, 2026, alongside the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival. The initiative aims to foster global collaborations and introduces cash grants of ₹3 lakh each for three outstanding projects to support emerging talent. Selected filmmakers will participate in pitching sessions, mentorship labs, and networking events at the NFDC Head Office in Mumbai.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Event Overview and Schedule**
* The WAVES Doc Bazaar market segment runs from June 16–18, 2026, while the broader 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) occurs from June 15–21, 2026.
* The event is hosted at the NFDC Head Office in Mumbai and brings together filmmakers, producers, distributors, and broadcasters.
* **Project Selection and Financial Support**
* 12 projects were selected from 155 global submissions spanning 19 countries and 35 languages.
* Three participating projects will be awarded cash grants of ₹3 lakh each based on creative vision, narrative strength, and international potential.
* **Program Segments**
* **Work-in-Progress (WIP) Lab:** Four projects (*Adieu Dilli, It Takes A Village, Kunchok and His Many Moons,* and *On a Good Note*) will receive mentorship and feedback on rough cuts from international advisors.
* **WAVES Doc Bazaar Recommends:** Eight projects in final post-production or completed stages will seek sales, distribution, and exhibition opportunities.
* **Open Pitch Session:** All 12 selected projects will be presented to industry professionals on June 16, 2026.
* **Viewing Room:** A digital library featuring 155 projects for buyers and festival programmers to facilitate acquisition and networking.
* **Participating Films (Doc Bazaar Recommends)**
* The lineup includes: *By the Home, Do Chaar Din, Eche, Rasanishpathi, Rise, The Girl Beneath The Sun, Turu,* and *Tukro Tukro Prithibi.*
**Impact Analysis**
**Selected Filmmakers**
**Impact:**
Filmmakers receive international visibility, professional mentorship through the WIP Lab, and the opportunity to secure funding through cash grants. The platform facilitates direct access to global markets and distribution networks.
**Action Required:**
Participate in the Open Pitch Session on June 16, 2026, and engage with the WIP Lab or B2B meetings to advance their projects.
**Industry Professionals (Buyers, Distributors, and Broadcasters)**
**Impact:**
These stakeholders gain access to a curated, diverse range of contemporary documentary and animation content from 19 countries via the Viewing Room and pitch sessions.
**Action Required:**
Attend the Bazaar between June 16–18 to explore acquisition, streaming, and collaboration opportunities.
**Media (Journalists, Bloggers, and Vloggers)**
**Impact:**
The event provides access to emerging talent and unique filmmaking stories for reporting and interviews.
**Action Required:**
Contact the MIFF media desk at the provided email address with the subject "Take One with PIB" to coordinate interviews.
Key Entities Referenced
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC): The organizing body and primary agency providing funding, cash grants, and a platform for filmmakers at the event.
WAVES Doc Bazaar: An industry platform and market segment aimed at fostering collaborations, networking, and market opportunities for the documentary ecosystem.
Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF): The 19th edition of the international festival that hosts the WAVES Doc Bazaar and related filmmaking initiatives.
WAVES Doc Bazaar Recommends: A curated program selecting outstanding documentary projects for showcased networking, distribution, and cash grants.
Work-in-Progress (WIP) Lab: A specialized initiative within the bazaar providing filmmakers with mentorship, feedback, and guidance from international advisors on film rough cuts.
0 Days to MIFF ...
NFDC announces selected
projects under 'WAVES Doc
Bazaar Recommends' to be
showcased at the WAVES Doc
Bazaar 2026
WAVES Doc Bazaar curates 12 projects, out
of 155 global submissions across 19
Countries and 35 Languages
₹
NFDC introduces cash grants of 3 lakh each
for three outstanding projects participating
in WAVES Doc Bazaar 2026
:Mumbai, June 14, 2026
The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) has announced the selected projects
under the WAVES Doc Bazaar Recommends programme for the second edition of WAVES
Doc Bazaar, to be held on sidelines of the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF),
2026.
The market segment of MIFF will be organized from June 16–18, 2026, at the NFDC
Head Office, located at Dr. Gopalrao Deshmukh Marg, Mumbai. It will bring together
filmmakers, producers, broadcasters, distributors, festival programmers and industry
professionals from the documentary, short film and animation ecosystem.
WAVES Doc Bazaar serves as an industry platform aimed at fostering collaborations,
networking and market opportunities through initiatives such as the Viewing Room, Work-
in-Progress (WIP) Lab and Business-to-Business (B2B) Meetings.In a significant initiative to support emerging talent and encourage impactful storytelling,
NFDC has introduced cash grants of ₹3 lakh each for three outstanding projects
participating in WAVES Doc Bazaar 2026. The grants will recognize projects
demonstrating exceptional creative vision, compelling narratives, strong artistic merit and
the potential to engage audiences in India and across international markets.
The WAVES Doc Bazaar Recommends selection comprises 12 projects, including four
projects participating in the Work-in-Progress Lab. Through the WIP Lab, selected
filmmakers will present rough cuts of their films to an esteemed panel of international
advisors and editors, receiving valuable feedback, mentorship and guidance to further
strengthen their projects and prepare them for wider industry engagement and
distribution opportunities.
Additionally, eight projects have been selected under the WAVES Doc Bazaar
Recommends line up. These films, either completed or in the final stages of post-
production, are seeking sales, distribution and exhibition opportunities. The programme
will facilitate interactions with buyers, distributors, broadcasters, streaming platforms and
other industry stakeholders to explore avenues for market access and wider audience
reach.
All 12 selected projects will participate in the Open Pitch Session on 16 June 2026, the
opening day of the Bazaar. The session will provide filmmakers with an opportunity to
present their projects before a diverse audience of industry professionals, including
buyers, distributors, broadcasters and festival representatives. It will also enable
participants to showcase the unique vision of their films while building meaningful
partnerships and collaborations.
A key highlight of the second edition of WAVES Doc Bazaar is the Viewing Room, a
dedicated digital library platform that allows filmmakers to showcase their work to
industry stakeholders, thereby facilitating networking, distribution and acquisition
opportunities.
This year, the Viewing Room will feature 155 projects from 19 countries in 35 languages,
offering buyers, broadcasters, distributors, festival programmers and other industry
stakeholders access to a rich diversity of documentary narratives and perspectives from
around the world.
Selected Films for Work-in-Progress Lab 2026
1. Adieu Dilli – Directors: Nandan Saxena and Kavita Bahl
2. It Takes A Village – Director: Indrajeet More
3. Kunchok and His Many Moons – Director: Ashok Meena
4. On a Good Note – Director: Karishma Rao
Selected Films for WAVES Doc Bazaar Recommends 2026
1. By the Home – Director: Mankap Nokwoham
2. Do Chaar Din – Director: Saanya Anand
3. Eche – Director: Dingku Thingnam
4. Rasanishpathi – Director: Harish K. M.
5. Rise – Director: Arastu Zakia
6. The Girl Beneath The Sun – Director: Madhurima Maiti7. Turu – Director: Rameshwar Bhatt
8. Tukro Tukro Prithibi – Director: Asmita Pal
The selected projects reflect the diversity, creativity and strength of contemporary
documentary filmmaking and underscore NFDC's commitment to nurturing emerging
voices while creating meaningful opportunities for filmmakers to connect with global
markets and audiences.
***
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