The WAVES Film Bazaar, the dynamic market component of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), has emerged as a crucial platform for showcasing diverse cinematic projects and fostering industry collaborations. This year, the Bazaar is highlighting a range of compelling debut features, from immigrant dramas to psychological horrors, alongside introducing significant new awards aimed at supporting filmmakers through various stages of production.

Among the notable selections is Vishwendra Singh's debut feature, the immigrant drama “Feather Men” (Khoriya), which has been chosen for the Work-in-Progress (WIP) section. Produced by Future East Film, with Niharika Singh and executive producer Ashim Ahluwalia, the Nepali-Hindi language film is currently in the editing stage. It tells the poignant story of two Nepali half-brothers struggling to save their poultry farm amidst a bird-flu epidemic, a crisis that intensifies fissures between them. A migrant parlour worker also features, contributing to a narrative described by producers as “both an intimate character study and a wider metaphor about those living at the periphery of India’s booming urban expansion.” Niharika Singh emphasizes the film's theme as a “universal search for dignity in a world changing faster than people can keep up.” The production, financed independently to date, is actively seeking completion funding for post-production and engagement with sales and distribution partners. Nilesh Rai, Bhawana Rai, and Suman Rai lead the cast.

Another highly anticipated debut feature, Bosco Bhandarkar’s “Shadow Hill: Of Spirits and Men,” backed by Kiran Rao’s Kindling Pictures, has been selected for the Co-Production Market. The film, which blends comedic and tragic moments, follows two men on a treasure hunt in Goa—one seeking closure, the other an escape from drudgery—aided by a mysterious woman. Set against Goa’s dramatic transformation into an urban sprawl, Bhandarkar drew inspiration from his childhood, exploring themes of memory, loss, and human connection, while also addressing the ecological destruction caused by the region's real estate boom and political corruption. Kiran Rao praises Bhandarkar’s “unusual, mischievous, and deeply human” perspective, noting his ability to reveal hidden layers of ordinary life through humor and irony. Kindling Pictures has invested 25% of the budget and is now seeking co-producers, financiers, and film funds to realize Bhandarkar’s vision.

Aarti Neharsh’s debut feature, “Kanda” or “No Onions,” a psychological horror film, is set to probe questions of purity, caste, and domestic control within the charged social landscape of Ahmedabad. Shakun Batra’s Jouska Films and Dimpy Agrawal’s Gubbara Entertainment are attached as co-producers. The film has already been pre-selected for the Sundance Development Track and is in late development, with partial funding secured. Filmmakers are seeking co-producers, financiers, and sales partners at the Film Bazaar, aiming for pre-production by mid-2026. The narrative revolves around a pregnant woman whose escalating cravings for forbidden foods disrupt her devout household, exposing buried tensions. Neharsh, drawing from personal experiences in Ahmedabad, reinterprets vegetarianism through the lens of caste purity and religious discipline, creating a slow-burning horror that questions whether a woman's hunger or the order seeking to crush it is more terrifying.

In a significant development for filmmakers, the WAVES Film Bazaar has also unveiled two new awards: the UNESCO Creative Cities Network City of Film Award for the Best Co-Production Market Project and the Matchbox Gap Award for the Best Film Bazaar Recommends Project. The UNESCO Creative City of Film Best Co-Production Market Project Award, supported by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Vault/Costume Peti, aims to spotlight an outstanding project that commits to shooting at least 75% of its film in Mumbai. The winning project will receive complimentary access to Mumbai-based filming locations, props, art assets, and costume support, promoting sustainable filmmaking practices. Bhushan Gagrani, Municipal Commissioner, stated that this initiative strengthens Mumbai’s commitment to nurturing talent and positioning the city as a global capital for cinematic innovation. Saurabh Kabra of Vault.rent/Costume Peti emphasized supporting independent filmmakers with sustainable, cost-effective production resources.

The Matchbox Gap Award is designed to support filmmakers during the critical post-production phase. It provides soft finance of INR15-20 lakh ($16,755-22,335) for post-production services and expert mentorship from Matchbox Shots LLP. Eligible projects must have completed principal photography and have a rough cut with preliminary sound design. Prakash Magdum, managing director of NFDC, underscored the importance of empowering filmmakers at crucial stages, a sentiment echoed by Sanjay Routray of Matchbox Shots, who aims to inspire storytelling that pushes boundaries. These awards underscore the Film Bazaar's dedication to nurturing creative talent and facilitating the completion and global reach of impactful cinematic works.