Pickle Cannes 2023 Wrap-Up Issue

FROM THE EDITOR

Pickle FILMS is pleased to present the conclusion of the Cannes Film Market 2023. The Cannes Film Market began and ended on a high note, with over 14,000 participants from 120 countries taking part. We are grateful to Marche for distributing Pickle Films in trade racks and online newsstands.

Despite the intermittent rain, the Cannes Film Market was upbeat, with activities and programmes tailored to the interests of the delegates (from all filmed entertainment verticals). We congratulate Guillaume Esmiol, the new executive director of the Cannes Film Market, on his leadership in facilitating the best one can get in a marketplace, whether one’s interest is in buying, selling, financing, streaming, or simply absorbing new ideas from knowledge sessions. Navigating the Cannes Film Market would help businesses undergoing tough times recover faster. Marche’s daily newsletter communication, paired with Cinando, made it easier for delegates to find what they were looking for.

The Cannes Film Festival 2023 featured four Indian films: Anurag Kashyap’s Kennedy, Kanu Behl’s Agra, Ariban Syam Sharma’s Ishanou, and Yudhajit Basu’s Nehemich.

The India Pavilion at 108 Village International in Riviera, designed by NID, was just outstanding. This year, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the National Film Development Corporation concentrated on promoting India’s Creative Economy in Cannes. In Cannes, FICCI is the Industry Partner for the India Pavilion. The CII Marketplace in Palais looked remarkably identical to the India

Pavilion, and the synergy worked to the benefit of portraying India as a whole. CII facilitated B2B meetings and exhibitor space, giving a thrust to business.

For the first time in nearly two decades, a new India could be seen on the croisette. IFFI 2023 received a significant boost at Cannes, and it is clear that a record number of foreign delegates from over 100 nations will convene in Goa in November.

Ease of filming in Puducherry, Sikkim, and Jammu and Kashmir focused in Pickle Cannes issue generated lot of enquiries. These States and UTs are willing to go the extra mile to meet the needs of global producers. We have featured India’s new streaming platform Proreal (exhibitor at Cannes) who had nonstop meetings at their booth. In the expanding streaming sector, Indian filmmakers and actors have already begun to occupy substantial mental space. Many of the Indian actors who have had their films shown in sidebar sections at the Cannes Film Festival have built an impressive presence on streaming services.

India’s thriving M&E industry offers appealing growth opportunities for both global and domestic businesses, and the government’s initiatives are aimed at maximising this sector’s potential.

Please email your views and suggestions. We will gladly address any inquiries you have about cooperating with Indian media and entertainment companies.

Senior Editor : Vivek Ratnakar

Editorial Coordinators : Maitreyi Vidyasagar, Shruti Sundaranand

Design: Jose J Reegan, D Sharma

Photo Editor : K K Laskar

Admin & Operations : B Rajalakshmi

Email: natvid@gmail.com

Natarajan Vidyasagar with Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director, Marché du Film

CANNES 2023: EMBRACING THE FUTURE OF FILM

Cannes 2023 marked an exceptional year for the Marché du Film, surpassing all expectations and setting new records for participation. Under the leadership of Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director, Marché du Film, the market successfully adapted to the evolving film industry, embracing new technologies and fostering business opportunities

Cannes, the prestigious film festival and market, witnessed an extraordinary milestone at its 2023 edition. The Marché du Film, the film market component of Cannes, surpassed all expectations by attracting over 14,000 accredited participants from 120 countries. This ground-breaking record exceeded the previous onsite participant record of 12,500 in 2019, demonstrating the enduring significance of Cannes in the global film industry. Under the leadership of Guillaume Esmiol, the new Executive Director of the Marché du Film, this year’s market edition achieved remarkable success through its adaptation to the evolving landscape of the film industry.

“It is quite encouraging. This year’s event has a large number of attendees. It’s incredible since it’s more than before the COVID crisis. So that makes us really delighted. In addition, we had a large number of pavilions (60 pavilions) and exhibitors (500+),” said Esmiol.

Embracing Innovation and Technology

Recognizing the rise of streaming services and disruptive innovations, the Marché du Film embraced new technologies and business opportunities. It aimed to redefine its role as more than just a platform for buying and selling films. Guillaume Esmiol’s vision to position the Marché as a hub for all aspects of the industry came to fruition. The market introduced a wide range of initiatives, including the Cannes Streamers Forum, Virtual Production Summit, and new

The 2023 edition of the Marché du Film was marked by a vibrant atmosphere, featuring a significant increase in onsite exhibitors and industry events

Guillaume Esmiol Executive Director, Marché du Film

THE 2023 EDITION OF THE MARKET FEATURED MORE THAN 500+ EXHIBITORS, 60 PAVILIONS IN THE VILLAGE INTERNATIONAL, 300 SALES COMPANIES

DOING BUSINESS INSIDE THE PALAIS DES FESTIVALS AND 1,200+ MARKET SCREENINGS

services and events for sales agents and buyers. By embracing these changes, the Marché du Film proved its commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends.

Lively and Dynamic Market

The 2023 edition of the Marché du Film was marked by a vibrant atmosphere, featuring a significant increase in onsite exhibitors and industry events. The market hosted its largest lineup of conferences, workshops, works-in-progress showcases, and pitching sessions to date. With over 60 panels and conferences and more than 200 events, Cannes provided an unparalleled platform for networking, learning, and business opportunities. These events covered a wide range of topics, from animation to documentaries, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among professionals.

Cannes Investors Circle

A notable highlight of this year’s market was the launch of the Cannes Investors Circle. This groundbreaking event brought together top-level film and media financing experts and presented a curated selection of high-caliber film projects to exclusive private investors. The Cannes Investors Circle aimed to support artistically and financially ambitious projects and explored new funding opportunities through private investment. Guillaume Esmiol expressed his hopes for the event to grow in the coming years, emphasizing the relevance of private investment in the current financial landscape.

Spain—The Country of Honour

As part of its ongoing efforts to highlight different film industries, the Marché du Film introduced the concept of a “Country of Honour” recognition. Spain, a country known for its creative industry and strong incentives, was chosen as the inaugural country of honour. Spanish professionals showed great enthusiasm, with a significant increase in their representation at Cannes. This recognition further solidified the Marché’s commitment to showcasing the diversity and talent of various film industries.

“We chose Spain because it’s a very creative country, with a strong industry. They have super incentives and new products to present this year. And they participated in all of our programs, (Producers Network, Cannes Next),” said Esmiol.

China’s Resurgence at Cannes

Cannes 2023 witnessed a significant resurgence of Chinese professionals in the film industry, signaling a positive shift for the Asian film market. After a decline in attendance during the previous year, the presence of over 250 Chinese professionals at this year’s event marked a notable return. Although not reaching the pre-crisis levels of over 600 attendees, this resurgence was a promising sign of China’s renewed engagement with Cannes and the overall recovery of the Asian film industry.

Marché du FilmCannes Docs © Helena Depambour

Marché du FilmCannes Next © Erlend Staub

Marché du FilmConférences © Leolo Camoirano

Marché du FilmProducers Network © Sarah Vetteshave me productions

By returning to Cannes, Chinese filmmakers, producers, and industry leaders showcased their commitment to international collaboration and coproduction. The revitalized presence of Chinese professionals fostered a renewed exchange of ideas, partnerships, and business ventures, strengthening the ties between the Chinese film industry and the global market.

Revitalizing the Market Experience

The introduction of the new venue, Plages des Palmes, added excitement to the Cannes market experience. This venue became the talk of the town and provided an additional space for business activities and networking opportunities. Moreover, the Marché du Film announced plans to revamp Cinando, its digital platform, to enhance user experience and create new communities within the industry.

Beginning of a New Journey into the Future

Under the leadership of Guillaume Esmiol, the market successfully adapted to the evolving film industry, embracing new technologies and fostering business opportunities. Esmiol has successfully embarked on his journey to fill the shoes left behind by Jerome Paillard, who led the prestigious event for 27 years. As the annual Cannes Film Market commenced,

Esmiol’s strong start has been widely acknowledged by the global film industry. Having joined in 2020, just after the allonline edition, this year’s market was Esmiol’s third. During his inaugural year, Esmiol focused on digital topics, communication, and the development of new programs like impACT, in addition to overseeing the hybrid conferences. He describes 2021 as a period of familiarization and getting his bearings. The following year, in 2022, he and Paillard served as co-directors, sharing responsibilities and collaborating closely.

Esmiol represents the face of an industry and market that embraces a futureforward, tech-savvy approach. With a remarkable background in the heart of the tech world, he previously held the position of head of innovation at TF1 Group and worked with the digital media start-up studio, Wefound, before joining the Marché du Film. His expertise and experience in the digital realm position him well to navigate the evolving landscape of the film industry and market.

Esmiol also symbolizes the continuation of progress and innovation within the Cannes Film Market. His vision aligns with a future-focused approach, embracing technology and pushing boundaries to elevate the industry to new heights. With his impressive background and the support of an experienced team, Esmiol is poised to lead the Marché du Film into an era of growth and success.

THE COUNTRIES WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBERS OF REPRESENTATIVES IN THIS YEAR’S MARCHÉ DU FILM ARE THE U.S., FRANCE, THE U.K., GERMANY AND ITALY. SPAIN AND CANADA. ASIAN AND AUSTRALIAN DELEGATES RETURNED TO CANNES FILM MARKET IN BIGGER NUMBERS

TEN THINGS ACHIEVED BY INDIA AT CANNES 2023

India made significant strides at the Cannes Film Festival and Market 2023, showcasing its creative economy and establishing its position as a global player in the film industry. Here are ten notable achievements by India at Cannes

IFFI 2023 poster unveiled by Dr L Murugan, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting at the India Pavilion, Cannes. The festival poster features a majestic peacock at the centre, exuding beauty, and elegance. The peacock’s vibrant feathers serve as a canvas showcasing the rich tapestry of Indian cinema, and culture through arts, millets, textiles, and Indian scripts

India’s

Creative Economy:

India is the world’s largest producer of films with over 3000 films in over 40 languages. These films carry a message of India’s strength in storytelling across the world. This year, India strategically highlighted its creative economy as the central theme at the Cannes Film Festival and Market. This emphasized India’s growing presence in the global film industry and its efforts to leverage its creative talent and economic growth to enhance its soft power globally. A slew of initiatives through Digital India, Start Up India, rural telecom connectivity, policy reforms creating positive environment for data affordability and availability are creating a robust foundation of a Creative Economy.

Animation, VFX, Post Production Strengths:

India showcased its prowess in Animation, Visual Effects, and Post Production (AVGC) at Cannes, highlighting the country’s capabilities in these areas. This aimed to attract international collaborations, coproductions, and investments in India’s AVGC industry. Indian film industry has undergone significant changes in recent years with advent of newer technologies and rise of digital and streaming platforms. It was highlighted that today it’s difficult to find a movie without an Indian name in its credits for animation or VFX.

Anurag Singh Thakur Minister of Sports, Youth Affairs and Information and Broadcasting

With three films shortlisted in three distinct categories and two of them bringing home Oscars - the world has just scratched the surface of the creativity, content and technical capabilities of the Indian Film Industry. With powerful narratives, high-end skill-based content curation and post-production capabilities and co-production treaties with 16 countries, India has emerged as an attractive destination for filmmakers worldwide

Dr L Murugan, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting meeting industry leaders from Latin America

Meetings on Co-Production Agreements:

Indian delegates actively participated in meetings and discussions to establish co-production agreements with various countries. This endeavour aimed to foster collaboration in executing joint projects and expanding international partnerships in the film industry.

India has announced a scheme to provide financial incentives for co-production projects, i.e., audio-visual co-production with foreign countries with which India has bilateral Audio-Visual Co-Production treaties. India has bilateral Audio-Visual Co-Production treaties with 16 countries, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Israel, Korea, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Efforts are on to include more countries under these agreements. Under this scheme, the government offers a reimbursement of 30% of Qualifying CoProduction Expenditure (QPE) incurred in India, subject to a cap of INR 20 Million (approximately US$ 244,000).

Dr L Murugan Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting

Our technological forte of the IT sector merged with the rich talent pool of artists, makes India the best suited for serving as the Content Creator for the global Cinema. Our government had set up a task force for the promotion of this sector. A National Centre of Excellence for AVGC is also in pipeline

India Film Guide 2023 launched at the India Pavilion, Cannes. It is the handbook to engage with the business of Indian cinema

Incentives for filming in India:

India promoted the incentives and advantages it offers for filmmakers to shoot their projects in the country. This included showcasing India’s diverse and picturesque locations, cost-effective production infrastructure, and government-backed incentives to attract international productions. Following film incentives announced last year at the Cannes, India’s presence in Cannes 2023 took the momentum further.

India offers two incentive schemes to promote film production in India, including animation and post-production, and to encourage co-production with foreign countries. Besides these central government schemes, various state governments also offer incentives to promote filmmaking.

To encourage the production of foreign films in India, including Animation and Post Production, the scheme announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting offers a reimbursement of 30% of Qualifying Production Expenditure (QPE) incurred in India, subject to a cap of INR 20 Million (approximately US$ 244,000). Additionally, an extra 5% of QPE, capped at INR 5 million (approximately US$ 60,000), is provided as a bonus for employing 15% or more Indian workforce.

India needs to have a bigger, more organised presence at Cannes and other festivals, and requires adopting a more aggressive approach to promote Indian films. A larger presence will do justice to the scale and strength of Indian cinema

Jawed Ashraf Ambassador of India to France

Delegation members from North East

IFFI Invites

Committed to continue spreading the Joy of Cinema, the 54th edition of International Film Festival of India invites delegates participating in Cannes Film Festival 2023 from all over the world

For A Gala

Show In Goa



Invitation for IFFI 2023:

Indian representatives extended invitations to delegates to attend the forthcoming 54th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in 2023. This aimed to further enhance India’s position as a global hub for film festivals and provide a platform for networking and showcasing Indian cinema.

Country Pavilions at IFFI 2023 and Film Bazaar:

India invited countries to set up pavilions at IFFI 2023 and Film Bazaar, reinforcing the event’s international stature and creating opportunities for cultural exchange, business collaborations, and distribution partnerships.

Delegation Members from the North East:

For the first time this year, India had sent an official delegation of talented filmmakers from the North Eastern states of India to the Cannes Film Festival. The idea was to bring to Cannes the depth and diversity of India’s rich cinematic culture while the country recognizes and promotes regional diversity in filmmaking back home. The National Film Archive of India had digitalised the negatives of ‘Ishanou,’ the Manipuri Language film that was selected in the Cannes Classic Section this year.

Prithul Kumar Joint Secretary Films, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and MD, NFDC

Indian Pavilion at Cannes 2023 is to facilitate cinematic partnerships and act as a bridge between cinematic cultures of the world. This years’ theme at the India pavilion is to showcase India’s creative economy to the global community

Delegates from the North East states of India actively promoted their unique locales as filming destinations and explored potential co-production opportunities. This aimed to highlight the diverse landscapes and cultural richness of the North East region and attract filmmakers to explore its untapped potential.

India Positioned itself both in Village International and inside the Cannes Film Market:

India strategically positioned itself in key areas within the Cannes ecosystem, including the Village International and inside the market. This ensured maximum visibility and engagement with industry professionals, distributors, and potential partners.

Engaging with Buyers and the Syndication of Content:

Indian content creators who had finished projects or ready content actively engaged with buyers and explored avenues for syndication. This aimed to secure distribution deals and partnerships to bring Indian content to a global audience.

Engagement with Overseas Delegates in Conferences:

Indian delegates actively participated in conferences, discussions and networking, engaging with international delegates at the India Pavilion (Village International). This fostered knowledge sharing, explored emerging trends in the film industry, and created opportunities for collaboration on a global scale.

THIS YEAR, INDIA STRATEGICALLY HIGHLIGHTED ITS CREATIVE ECONOMY AS THE CENTRAL THEME AT THE CANNES FILM FESTIVAL AND MARKET. THIS EMPHASIZED INDIA’S GROWING PRESENCE IN THE GLOBAL FILM INDUSTRY AND ITS EFFORTS TO LEVERAGE ITS CREATIVE TALENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH TO ENHANCE ITS SOFT POWER GLOBALLY

Panelists at the session on Co-Production Agreements with Global Film Commissioners

INDIA@CANNES

INDIA AT PALAIS IN CANNES

For the first time, the designs of the India Pavilion at Village International and the Confederation of Industry Market Place at the Palais were in sync to create a common identity for India at Cannes. The CII Market Place was buzzing with business-to-business meetings, exhibitors, and walk-in delegates looking for distribution and co-production partners in India. 2023 marks CII’s 22nd consecutive participation in the Cannes Film Market.

Sambit Duttaroy CEO, Proreal Production Corp

Redefining Indian Streaming

Globally

Proreal, a streaming service created by businessman Sambit Duttaroy, had a successful debut at Cannes Film Market and interacted with stakeholders from more than 50 countries. In a freewheeling conversation with Pickle, Sambit, CEO of Proreal, discusses the new Indian streaming platform for the world and how the organisation strives to generate amazing results for both Proreal and its stakeholders

Sambit Duttaroy, the CEO of Proreal Production Corp, is a passionate individual with a deep-rooted love for movies and storytelling. As the leader of a renowned production house and an Over the Top (OTT) company, he is driven by his unwavering dedication to fostering innovation within the entertainment industry.

Proreal Production Corp, under Sambit’s visionary guidance, aims to revolutionize the global consumption of digital content. As a testament to their commitment to excellence, Proreal is affiliated with esteemed organizations such as the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) in the USA, OTTx in the USA, the Confederation of Indian Industry, and the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA). By being an active participant in these associations, Proreal solidifies its position as an industry leader and paves the way for groundbreaking advancements in the entertainment landscape.

In this exclusive interview with Pickle, he shares his insights into the ever-evolving needs of consumers and ways to stay abreast of emerging technologies.

What makes the Proreal streaming platform unique?

We started Proreal with the intention of providing opportunities for talent. In order to set ourselves apart from other platforms, we have launched boutique collections of exclusive international content in addition to combining some of the most well-known TV channels that are available for free to viewers, such as news channels, sports channels, movie channels, etc. Our goal is to develop a platform where content producers can show off their work and advance in this industry. Our motto is “create locally, reach globally.”

What excites you about the Indian market and its global footprint globally?

India’s abundant cultural heritage and diversity greatly intrigues other nations. With a significant global Indian diaspora and

Sambit Duttaroy with Dr L Murugan, Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting at the CII Pavilion, Palais, Cannes Film Market

their profound interest in their homeland, there is a remarkable opportunity to explore and present India to the world stage. In addition to India’s massive population of 1.3 billion, there are approximately 35 million Indians residing in various countries worldwide.

Understanding the power of storytelling, Proreal provides a dynamic platform for storytellers to express their narratives and connect with audiences on a global scale. By facilitating the dissemination of these captivating stories, Proreal strives to bridge the cultural gaps and foster cross-cultural understanding. This not only enables Indian diaspora to stay connected with their roots but also allows people from diverse backgrounds to experience the rich tapestry of Indian culture.

Through Proreal’s efforts, the beauty and vibrancy of Indian stories are shared with audiences around the world, promoting cultural exchange and appreciation. By harnessing the potential of digital platforms and leveraging the global reach of Proreal, these narratives could reach every corner of the globe, transcending geographical boundaries and making a lasting impact on the global entertainment landscape.

COVID has brought in a major shift in audience preferences across the world. What prompted you to enter this space?

I observed that only the OTT platforms were succeeding and expanding during the pandemic. The majority of content producers and production companies still struggle to compete with established streaming giants. Additionally, I discovered that, given peoples’ hectic schedules, this OTT platform is the way of the future postCovid. I started this platform and also floated a corporation to go public in the USA and India because I felt that someone should start somewhere to assist people and talent by creating employment and earning opportunities through the OTT platform. This way, the resource won’t become limited and Proreal will eventually become the people’s company. We firmly believe that using Made in India content will increase its worldwide impact.

What did you hope to accomplish at Cannes 2023?

Engaging with collaborative partners from more than 50 nations is a wonderful experience. We were part of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s stand in Palais. Being a part of Cannes was a terrific learning experience, it helped us gain exposure from the appropriate individuals, and it was beneficial for networking. The market has made room for fresh concepts. We will prioritise women, festivals, and international children’s and animation programming as we continue to curate content.

How do you see India’s announcement of incentives for co-production?

For international film shootings in India, we are particularly interested in co-production and executive production. Following our meetings at Cannes, we are looking into fresh co-production possibilities from the United Kingdom and a few European countries. In addition, we opened our production and distribution houses to provide a complete solution to incoming and established talent and content creators with the ability to profit on our platform.

How can you be distinct and unique in an Indian market with over 50 OTT platforms?

We do not compete with OTT platforms in India because we are multilingual. Our main focus is to work with indie filmmakers, studios, and archive owners to help their content reach and monetize in emerging countries. In addition, we are India’s first FAST Channel platform, and we collaborate with TV stations to reach new markets.

Our objective is to focus on those parts of Indian territory that have banks of content but lack worldwide presence and monetization. And contribute to the society in which we live by creating a future for tomorrow.

What are your thoughts on Proreal’s use of AI?

AI is here to stay, and our goal is to implement innovation across the board. We have used AI for subtitles in other languages, and I believe that with this technology, we can be more global in our approach to local content.

PROPELLING INDIAN CONTENT TO NEW HEIGHTS

Indian streaming platform Proreal had non-stop meetings during Cannes FIlm Market 2023 at Palais and engaged with business partners and collaborators from over 50 countries. Here is a snapshot

MOST AWAITED INDIAN FILMS TO HIT SCREENS IN 2023-24

Get ready for an incredible cinematic experience as we reveal the roster of 2023’s most anticipated Indian flicks. With over a billion dollars invested, these upcoming films promise to captivate audiences. Keep a lookout for South Indian cinema, as these flicks add a distinct flavor to the silver screen

INDIAN STARS STEAL THE SPOTLIGHT @ CANNES RED CARPET

The presence of Indian celebrities at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival caused a stir and became a major talking point at the event. While India may not have had a large number of films at the festival, the glamorous appearances of Indian stars on the red carpet created a significant buzz. Despite some debates on the focus shifting from cinema to celebrity fashion, these Indian stars managed to captivate the attention of attendees and media, generating a buzz that echoed throughout Cannes

Aishwarya Rai

Diana Penty

Amy Jackson

Esha Gupta

Manushi Chillar

Sara Ali Khan

Moni Roy

Shruti Haasan

Mrunal ThakurSapna Choudhary

Urvashi Rautela

Sunny Leone Sonam Kapoor