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2nd India International Film Convention starts today
MUMBAI: The 2nd India International Film Convention takes off today at Intercontinental – The Grand.
Organised by The Foundation for the Promotion of Film Arts and Crafts in partnership with the Association of Motion Picture and Television Programme Producers of India, the 3 day convention includes conference sessions, an exhibition and an awards night.
Over 500 delegates have registered for the event and a lot of big names from the Indian film industry are expected to attend.
Speaking about the objectives of IIFC 2004, FPFAC secretary general Vinod Kumar stated,”The event is our second attempt at bridging the gap between Indian cinema and the world market. It is also our endeavor at this event to create a platform for open exchange of ideas within the film industry as well as for creating a white paper on the issues and opportunities facing the Indian film industry”
The entire exhibition floor has been taken up by the South African delegation, amongst which the notable ones include The Cape Film Commission, The Durban Film Office, the SABC (South African Broadcasting Corporation) and the Southern Sun Group of hotels.
The awards institutionalised by the foundation are not divided category wise and shall be awarded to the outstanding achievers in the film industry over the past year. The awards are to be given at a grand ceremony today evening.
The programme schedule is as follows
6 Sep 04
CONFERENCE DAY 1
09:30 am – 10:00 am Registration
10:00 am Inauguration of the Exhibition & Conference by Guests
10.30 am – 11:00 am SMT. SMITA THACKERAY
KIRAN SHANTARAM
MAHESH BHATT
Vote of Thanks
11:00 am Press Session & Tea Break
11:30 am
Subject : IF CONTENT IS KING WHAT WORKS?
Trends of Indian films and what is working and what is not, expert opinions and analysis of success stories.
PANEL :
MAHESH BHATT
KUNDAN SHAH
BASU CHATTERJI
INDU MIRANI
PRAKASH JHA
Audience Views : Open Session …15 min.
1:00 pm Break for Lunch
2:00 pm
Subject : NEW REVENUE SOURCES & INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
Practices in advertising, promotion of films, case studies and international trends
PANEL
NITIN KINI
PADAM KUMAR
VIVECK VASWANI
VINOD KUMAR
SUDHIR MISHRA
3:30 pm Break for Tea / Coffee
4:00 pm Subject : NEW REVENUE SOURCES & INTERNATIONAL MARKETING
Practices in advertising, promotion of films, case studies and international trends
Continued….
Audience Views : Open Session …15 min.
6:00 pm Close of Day’s Proceedings Day1
6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Break
7:30 pm ONWARDS ACHIEVER’S AWARDS Presentation
Welcome
Toast to Awardees
Awards Format : Citation to be Read
Presentation of Bouquet / Felicitation
Presentation of Award
Thanks Speech
Interspersed with Entertainment
Cocktails & Dinner, By Invitation only
7 Sep 04 CONFERENCE DAY 2 – FOCUS SOUTH AFRICA
10:30 am
Session 1
Subject : FILM FINANCING
PANEL :
VINEY KUMAR, IDBI
K. KANNAN, BANK OF BARODA
SAMI SIDDIQUI, SAMATA SAHAKARI BANK
DEEPANKER MUKOPADHYAY, NFDC
Audience Views : Open Session …15 min.
12:30 pm Break for Lunch
1:30 pm Session 2
Subject : FEATURING SOUTH AFRICA
Speakers :
Bianca Mpahlaza: Introduction to Filming in Cape Town
Phillip Key: Feature Film Production
Bev Green: Commercial Production, Directors
Claire Richards: Commercial Production, Service
Gavin Levy: Stills Production
Audience Views : Open Session …15 min.
3:30 pm Break for Tea / Coffee
4:00 pm Session 3
Subject : FEATURING SOUTH AFRICA
Speakers :
Mark Engel: Music Video
Liezel Bruckman: Models & Talent
Liz Argent: Tourism Infrastructure & Accomodation
Laurence Mitchell: Broadcast & Distribution
Martin Cuff: Incentives & Financial Support
Nalini Singh
Pieter Cortzee
Audience Views : Open Session …15 min.
6:00 pm Close of Day’s Proceedings Day 2
7:30 ONWARDS Cocktail Reception followed by Dinner Hosted by South Africa CONSUL GENERAL & FPFAC, By Invitation only
8 Sep 04 CONFERENCE DAY 2
10:30 am PANEL
Subject : TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS IN FILM MAKING
Technology in Animation, Technology in Cameras, Innovations in Editing, Digital HD filming, Software Tools for Film making.
Speakers :
AMIT KHANNA
RAMESH MEER
KIREET KHURANA
MUNJAL SHROFF
RAJ TILAK
K CHANDRASHEKHAR
N. CHANDRA
DAMAN SOOD
Audience Views : Open Session …15 min.
12:30 pm Break for Lunch
1:30 pm Subject : NEW HORIZONS ADVERTISING, DOCUMENTARIES & SHORT FILMS
PANEL
KAILASH SURENDRANATH
AJAY RAINA
KABIR KHAN
DINKAR CHOUDHARY
YAKUB SAEED
U.B. MATHUR
ZAKIR CHINDE
Audience Views : Open Session …15 min.
3:30 pm Break for Tea / Coffee
4.00 pm Subject : PACKAGING, PROMOTION & MARKETING OF FEATURE FILMS
Practices in advertising, promotion of films, case studies and international trends
PANEL
RAVI CHOPRA
SURJIT SINGH
NEERAJ ROY
MUBINA ANSARI
SANJIV MEHTA
ANITA NORONHA
JYOTIN GOEL
Audience Views : Open Session …15 min.
6.00 pm Close of Day’s Proceedings Day 2
7:30 ONWARDS Mahurat of “HUSN”, Cocktail Reception followed by Dinner. By Invitation Only
News Broadcasting
Induction cooktop demand spikes 30× amid LPG supply concerns
Supply worries linked to West Asia tensions push households and restaurants to turn to electric cooking alternatives
MUMBAI: As geopolitical tensions in West Asia ripple through global energy supply chains, the familiar blue flame in Indian kitchens is facing an unexpected challenger: electricity.
What began as concerns over the availability of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) has quickly evolved into a technology-driven shift in cooking habits. Households across India are increasingly turning to induction cooktops and other electric appliances, initially as a backup but now, for many, a necessity.
A sudden surge in demand
Recent data from quick-commerce and grocery platform BigBasket highlights the scale of the shift. According to Seshu Kumar Tirumala, the company’s chief buying and merchandising officer, demand for induction cooktops has risen dramatically.
“Induction cooktops have seen a significant surge in demand, recording a fivefold jump on 10 March and a thirtyfold spike on 11 March,” Tirumala said.
The increase stands out sharply when compared with broader kitchen appliance trends. Most appliance categories are growing within 10 per cent of their typical demand levels, while induction cooktops have witnessed explosive growth as households rush to secure an alternative cooking option.
Major e-commerce platforms including Amazon and Flipkart have reported rising searches and orders for induction stoves. Quick-commerce apps such as Blinkit and Zepto have also witnessed stock shortages in major metropolitan areas including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
What was once considered a convenient appliance for hostels, small kitchens or occasional use has suddenly become an essential addition in many homes.
A crisis thousands of miles away
The trigger for this shift lies far beyond India’s kitchens.
Escalating conflict in the Middle East has disrupted shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Nearly 85 to 90 per cent of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway, making the country particularly vulnerable to supply disruptions.
The ripple effects have been swift.
India currently meets roughly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, and tightening global supply has already begun to affect domestic availability and prices.
Earlier this month, the price of domestic LPG cylinders increased by Rs 60, while commercial cylinders rose by more than Rs 114.
To discourage panic buying and hoarding, the government has also extended the mandatory waiting period between domestic refill bookings from 21 days to 25 days.
Restaurants feel the pressure
The strain is not limited to households. Restaurants, hotels and roadside eateries are also grappling with supply constraints as commercial LPG availability tightens under restrictions imposed through the Essential Commodities Act.
In cities such as Bengaluru and Chennai, restaurant associations report that commercial LPG availability has dropped by as much as 75 per cent, forcing many establishments to rethink their kitchen operations.
Some restaurants have reduced menu offerings, while others are rapidly installing high-efficiency induction systems, creating hybrid kitchens where electricity now shares the workload with gas.
For smaller eateries and roadside dhabas, the shift is less about sustainability and more about survival.
A potential structural shift
The government has maintained that there is no nationwide LPG crisis and has directed refineries to increase production to stabilise supply.
Nevertheless, the developments of March 2026 may already be triggering a longer-term behavioural shift.
For decades, LPG has been the backbone of cooking in Indian households. However, recent disruptions have highlighted the risks of relying on a single fuel source.
Increasingly, households appear to be hedging against uncertainty by adopting electric cooking options to guard against price volatility and delivery delays.
If the current trend continues, the induction cooktop, once viewed as a niche appliance, could emerge as a quiet symbol of India’s evolving kitchen economy.
