Hindi
2-day Global Business Forum to coincide with IIFA weekend
NEW DELHI: A ‘FICCI-IIFA Global Business Forum’ (GBF) is being organised on 24 and 25 April at Tampa Bay in Florida to coincide with the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA).
The meet is being organised by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) in partnership with Wizcraft and international business development agencies such as Enterprise Florida, Visit Tampa Bay and the Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corporation.
The meet is aimed at coinciding with the IIFA weekend from 23 to 26 April.
FICCI vice president Harshavaradhan Neotia will be leading a 20-member CEOs delegation to the US for the GBF which covers the economic and intellectual component of IIFA. The objective of the delegation is to focus on enhancing business between the two countries and pave way for resolution of trade and investment issues that have cropped up in the recent times.
The theme of the GBF is ‘Indo-U.S. Partnership: A Catalyst for Economic Growth’. The first day of the event will focus on Indo-US commercial relations, with panels deliberating on the challenges and opportunities in Indo-US Commerce, Resource Efficiency and India-US Collaboration in Life Sciences – Safe & Affordable Healthcare.
The second day of the event will comprise sessions focusing on Opportunities in Tourism, Education and Skills Development, US-India Collaboration in the Services Sector, Opportunities in Sports Management, Girl Rising Project, Women Leaders – Shaping Tomorrow, Media and Entertainment. Leading business leaders from India and the US, along with eminent Indian-Americans, have been invited to participate as speakers in various sessions.
Globally acclaimed visionaries such as Dr. R K Pachauri, who spearheads the Nobel prize winning UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change; N R Narayanmurthy, co-founder and executive chairman of Infosys; Ajit Kumar, consul general of India, Atlanta and Congressman Gus Bilirakis, will be addressing the GBF this year.
Some of the prominent women leaders such as Nisha Desai Biswal, US assistant secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs; actor Priyanka Chopra, Shabana Azmi, and Renu Khator, president of University of Houston, will also address the forum.
Business leaders from global multinational corporations such as Syntel, Accenture India, Microsoft IT India, TATA Motors and L&T InfoTech, will share their perspectives on India-US economic engagement. These discussions are expected to help in taking forward the business agenda between India and the US by adding depth to the existing areas of cooperation and defining new emerging opportunities.
According to a FICCI spokesperson, the timing of this forum is apt as the new Indian government will be looking forward to greater cooperation with the US. The US-India strategic partnership has always been a priority for both the countries and FICCI has been playing its role in enhancing the engagement between the two nations with initiatives such as the GBF.
Hindi
MIFF 2026 to return to Mumbai; film entries open till April 12
19th edition to host WAVES Doc Bazaar, spotlighting global documentary talent
MUMBAI: The 19th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival 2026 is set to take place from June 15 to 21 at the NFDC Complex, with film submissions currently open and the deadline fast approaching on April 12.
Organised by the National Film Development Corporation under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the biennial festival remains one of South Asia’s most prominent platforms for documentary, short fiction and animation films.
Filmmakers, producers and content creators from across the globe have been invited to submit entries via the Film Freeway platform for the Competition Section. Offline submissions will not be accepted, reinforcing a fully digital entry process.
MIFF 2026 continues to sweeten the deal with a robust awards pool of Rs 55 lakh. The coveted Golden Conch for Best Documentary carries a top prize of Rs 10 lakh, alongside multiple awards across categories, making it one of the most lucrative non-feature film festivals in the region.
A key highlight this year will be the second edition of the WAVES Doc Bazaar, scheduled from June 16 to 18 alongside the festival. Designed as a hub for collaboration, the Doc Bazaar will feature a co-production market, viewing rooms and a work-in-progress lab, bringing together global buyers, sellers and creators under one roof.
Since its inception in 1990, MIFF has built a reputation as a serious showcase for non-feature cinema, drawing participation from filmmakers worldwide. The previous edition saw over 350 films from more than 30 countries, underlining its growing international footprint.
With submissions closing soon and preparations underway, MIFF 2026 is shaping up to be a vibrant meeting point for storytelling, collaboration and cinematic craft, offering filmmakers both a stage and a springboard.
