Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting on 22nd July 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The WAVES Film Bazaar Screenwriters’ Lab 2025 project, “Yayavar – The Migrating Bird,” has signed a Letter of Intent for an international collaboration between Indian and Finnish production houses. This partnership aims to jointly develop, finance, and produce the film for a global audience, showcasing the effectiveness of the National Film Development Corporation’s (NFDC) talent-development initiatives. Key upcoming milestones include the 20th WAVES Film Bazaar scheduled for November 20–24, 2026, and the imminent opening of entries for the 2026 Screenwriters’ Lab.
Key Points / Main Content
International Partnership Details
Signatories: The project entered into an agreement with iRoller Media & Entertainment (India) and Norse Key Productions (Finland).
Scope: The collaboration covers development, financing, production, and international positioning for the project “Yayavar – The Migrating Bird.”
Production Roles: iRoller Media & Entertainment will serve as Lead Producer for financing and execution, while Norse Key Productions will lead post-production in Finland and manage international festival outreach.
WAVES Film Bazaar Screenwriters’ Lab Overview
Purpose: A flagship NFDC initiative designed to provide Indian writers with mentorship, craft development, and market access.
Format: Selected participants undergo an intensive multi-stage program that culminates in a pitch at the Film Bazaar.
Track Record: The Lab has previously developed acclaimed films such as The Lunchbox, Lipstick Under My Burkha, and A Death in the Gunj.
Organizational Context and Future Schedule
Hosting Body: WAVES Film Bazaar is South Asia’s premier film market, organized annually by the NFDC alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
2026 Edition: The 20th edition of the Film Bazaar will take place from November 20–24, 2026.
Upcoming Opportunities: The "Call for Entries" for the 2026 Screenwriters’ Lab is expected to open shortly on NFDC platforms.
Impact Analysis
Dr. Darshan Ashwin Trivedi (Project Writer/Director/Producer)Impact
Secures the necessary financing, production infrastructure, and international post-production facilities to transition the script from development to a global release.
Action Required
Collaborate with the Lead Producer (iRoller) on production execution and coordinate with Norse Key Productions for post-production and festival strategies.
Aspiring Indian ScreenwritersImpact
Provides a proven template and opportunity for local talent to gain international visibility and co-production interest.
Action Required
Monitor official WAVES Film Bazaar and NFDC platforms for the upcoming announcement of the 2026 Call for Entries.
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC)Impact
Reinforces its role as a nodal agency for promoting Indian cinema and successfully facilitating global pathways for domestic creators.
Action Required
Organize the 20th edition of the WAVES Film Bazaar in November 2026 and manage the upcoming application process for the next Screenwriters' Lab cycle.
Key Entities Referenced
WAVES Film Bazaar Screenwriters' Lab: A flagship talent-development initiative of NFDC designed to mentor Indian screenwriters and facilitate international film production partnerships.
National Film Development Corporation (NFDC): The nodal agency under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting responsible for the promotion and development of Indian cinema.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: The primary government ministry overseeing the administration of film-related initiatives and the National Film Development Corporation.
WAVES Film Bazaar: South Asia’s premier film market, organized by NFDC, which serves as a global platform for filmmakers to discover talent and secure project financing.
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
WAVES Film Bazaar Screenwriters' Lab 2025
project ‘Yayavar – The Migrating Bird’ signs
Letter of Intent for international collaboration
Project developed under the Screenwriters’ Lab enters into a
partnership with Finland-based production house for
development, financing, production and international
positioning
प्रव तथ: 22 JUL 2026 1:05PM by PIB Mumbai
WAVES Film Bazaar, organised by the National Film Development Corporation
(NFDC) under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, has
announced that “Yayavar – The Migrating Bird”, a project selected for the WAVES
Film Bazaar Screenwriters’ Lab 2025, has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for an
international collaboration.
The project has entered into a partnership with iRoller Media & Entertainment (India),
and Norse Key Productions (Finland), to jointly develop, finance, produce and
position the film for international audiences. Under the Letter of Intent, iRoller Media
& Entertainment will serve as Lead Producer, leading financing, production planning
and execution, while Norse Key Productions will lead and facilitate post-production
activities in Finland and support the project’s international outreach and festival
positioning.
The collaboration reflects the growing impact of the WAVES Film Bazaar
Screenwriters’ Lab in nurturing promising Indian screenwriting talent and creating
meaningful opportunities for global collaboration. The project’s progress from the
Lab to an international partnership underscores the Lab’s commitment to supporting
writers beyond script development and to facilitating pathways to production and
international exploitation.
Managing Director, NFDC, Shri Prakash Magdum said, “The Screenwriters’ Lab was
conceived to give original Indian voices the craft, the mentorship and the market
access they need to travel. To see a project move from the writing room at the Lab to
an international partnership is exactly the outcome the programme was designed
for.”Writer, Director and Producer of the project Dr. Darshan Ashwin Trivedi said, “I am
thankful to NFDC Screenwriters’ Lab. I am excited about the collaboration with
iRoller, India and Norse Key, Finland.”
WAVES Film Bazaar congratulates Dr. Darshan Ashwin Trivedi and the collaborating
producers on this achievement and looks forward to seeing “Yayavar – The Migrating
Bird” continue its journey towards the global stage.
The Call for Entries for the WAVES Film Bazaar Screenwriters’ Lab 2026 will open
shortly. Details will be announced on the WAVES Film Bazaar and NFDC platforms.
About the WAVES Film Bazaar Screenwriters’ Lab
Instituted in 2007, the Screenwriters’ Lab is a flagship talent-development initiative of
NFDC’s WAVES Film Bazaar. Selected writers work on their feature screenplays
through an intensive, multi-stage programme under the guidance of acclaimed Indian
and international mentors, culminating in a pitch at the Film Bazaar. Screenplays
developed at the Lab include The Lunchbox, Lipstick Under My Burkha, Dum Laga
Ke Haisha, Titli, A Death in the Gunj and Ullozhukku.
About WAVES Film Bazaar
WAVES Film Bazaar, organised by NFDC, is South Asia’s premier film market, held
annually alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa. It brings
together producers, financiers, sales agents, distributors, festival programmers and
buyers from across the world to discover and support new projects and talent. The
20th edition of WAVES Film Bazaar is scheduled to take place in 20 - 24 November
2026, building on the success of the previous year.
About NFDC
The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), incorporated in 1975, functions
under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India. It is the nodal
agency for the promotion and development of Indian cinema, and organises the
International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and WAVES Film Bazaar, alongside a range
of talent-development, production and film-facilitation initiatives.
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