Movies
WAVES Doc Bazaar wraps up with global pitches, awards and industry deal-making
MIFF platform hosts 100-plus B2B meetings and honours emerging documentary projects
MUMBAI: The second edition of WAVES Doc Bazaar concluded on a high note at the 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2026, strengthening its position as a key marketplace connecting documentary filmmakers with producers, distributors, broadcasters and industry decision-makers from around the world.
Over three days, the platform hosted project pitches, networking sessions and industry interactions, helping filmmakers explore opportunities for funding, co-production, post-production support and distribution. The event attracted 155 submissions from 19 countries in 35 languages, with 12 projects selected for pitching and market activities. More than 100 business-to-business meetings were conducted during the marketplace, generating fresh opportunities for collaboration across the documentary ecosystem.
The closing ceremony saw several projects recognised through awards aimed at supporting their next stages of development.
The Prasad Labs Post-Production Awards were presented by Prasad Labs general manager Nitin Pingle. The award offers up to 50 hours of complimentary 4K Digital Intermediate services at Prasad Labs, Chennai.
The honours went to On a Good Note, directed by Karishma Rao and produced by Vishwesh S. Prasad, and It Takes A Village, directed by Indrajeet More and edited by Akanksha Kalhe.
The IICT Post-Production Awards were presented by Indian Institute of Creative Technologies director (academics) Satish Narayanan. The award provides a 50 per cent discount on 50 hours of 4K Digital Intermediate services.
The winners were Adieu Dilli, directed by Nandan Saxena and Kavita Bahl, and Do Chaar Din, directed by Saanya Anand and produced by Navya Bajaj.
Meanwhile, the Reborn India Films Distribution Award, presented by representatives of Reborn India Films, was awarded to On a Good Note. The prize includes theatrical distribution support valued at ₹7 lakh across 10 screens, offering the project an opportunity to reach wider audiences.
A major addition this year came from NFDC, which introduced three documentary and short-film cash grants worth ₹1 lakh each.
The awards were presented by NFDC managing director Prakash Magdum and went to Kunchok and His Many Moons by Ashok Meena, The Girl Beneath The Sun by Madhurima Maiti, and Tukro Tukro Prithbi directed by Asmita Pal and produced by Arunima Chowdhury.
Addressing the gathering, NFDC managing director Prakash Magdum said the strong response to the initiative demonstrated the growing need for dedicated platforms that support documentary filmmakers. He added that NFDC would continue to strengthen such initiatives and nurture emerging voices in non-fiction storytelling.
With participation from filmmakers across continents and a packed schedule of pitches, meetings and industry exchanges, the second edition of WAVES Doc Bazaar underscored the increasing global appetite for documentary storytelling and reinforced MIFF’s role as a bridge between creative talent and market opportunities.
