Screen Australia has opened applications for support to attend the International Film Festival of India 2026 and the WAVES Film Bazaar, both taking place in Goa, India in November.
The organisation will support up to eight Australian producers or individuals from production companies to attend these key events on the Indian screen industry calendar, as part of a 2023 initiative known as the Official Australia-India Co-production Treaty, which has the stated goal of strengthening ‘creative connections’ and fostering ‘meaningful relationships’, alongside developing B2B partnerships within India.
Goa Film Bazaar delegation – quick links
What to know about the IFFI/WAVES Film Bazaar Delegation
Successful applicants will receive funding of up to $8000 to cover travel, accommodation, living, insurance and accreditation to attend the WAVES Film Bazaar and the International Film Festival of India in Goa between 20 and 28 November.
Each event spotlights the creativity and talent of Indian filmmakers, as well as nlocal stories and culture. The events also operate as opportunities to network and connect, with business opportunities available across the festival and bazaar market.
The aim here is to advance narrative co-productions between Australia and India, such as SBS’ successful Four Years Later.
As shared by the Australian Government in 2023, the program is designed to elevate projects from both countries, allowing Australian producers to reach new audiences while opening up avenues for industry investment.
Notably, India isn’t the only beneficiary from these co-production ambitions. Fourteen countries around the world have a similar partnership with Australia, which has allowed for the co-production of around 225 titles over the last five decades, with a total budget of $2.18 billion.
Who can apply to be an IFFI/WAVES Delegate?
As this delegation is curated with the intention of advancing the co-production treaty, there is strict criteria for those looking to apply for support.
Per Screen Australia guidelines, only those Australian producers (or company representatives) with a successful track record in television or direct-to-audience releases are eligible to apply. Applicants must be able to demonstrate successes from their slate of feature films or television series, and show that their latest projects have ‘genuine creative and business potential for co-production with Indian partners’.
Those producers who have past experience with official co-productions will be looked on more favourably in the application process, as well as those who’ve delivered projects of ‘comparable scale and ambition’.
‘Applicants should be able to demonstrate a strong track record of success, clear market traction, established business relationships, and knowledge of the Indian screen sector evidenced through their recent credits, company activity and current development slate,’ Screen Australia says.
Those selected to attend the festival and bazaar will be representing Australia’s creative strength and ambition, with only well-rounded applications being considered.
Applications for the Screen Australia IFFI/WAVES Delegation Program close 20 August.
Also on ScreenHub: Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2026: Highlights from the full program
The full program for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2026 has been revealed, comprising over 130 films in 38 languages, each spotlighting some aspect of Indian or South Asian cinema, culture and creativity. Most will get their Australian premiere during IFFM in August.
Per organisers, this is the largest celebration of Indian cinema celebrated outside of India itself, with support from the Victorian Government allowing the festival to proceed with its vast and ambitious program, and its goal of spotlighting the talent and bold ideas of Indian filmmakers, actors and creatives.
Read more …
