23/11/2012 - Christian Jeune announces news in Goa

Audiences at the ongoing Film Bazaar organised by India’s National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) were pleasantly surprised when Christian Jeune of the Cannes film festival announced that India would be the Guest Country in 2013.

Jeune read out a note from Thierry Frémaux that said, “The Festival de Cannes has chosen NFDC Film Bazaar 2012 to announce its plans to welcome a large delegation from the Indian Film industry to Cannes to celebrate hundred years since the birth of Indian Cinema. The 43rd International Film Festival of India and NFDC Film Bazaar 2012, taking place in Goa with the support of the Indian Ministry of Culture, present the ideal moment to announce that India will be the third ‘Guest Country’ at Cannes following Egypt in 2011 and Brazil in 2012. The Festival de Cannes is delighted to celebrate one of the most important countries in the world of cinema, a country with a prestigious history and tradition, one whose current day and creative impulses are a perennial example of vitality.”

Jeune was also quick to point out that the choosing of India as the guest country would not in any way reflect on the programme selection and Indian films would go through the same rigorous selection process applied to films from other countries. However, there is the possibility of a jury member from the Indian film industry.

After a fallow spell, India had a good Cannes 2012 with Anurag Kashyap’s Gangs Of Wasseypur, Ashim Ahluwalia’s Miss Lovely and Vasan Bala’s Peddlers being selected.

The Festival de Cannes will be held from May 15 to 26 2013.