Awards
Bharat Pavilion makes debut at Hong Kong Filmart
MUMBAI: India’s film industry has gone global, with the Bharat Pavilion at Hong Kong’s International Film & TV Market (Filmart, 17-20 March) being unveiled a couple of days ago. The pavilion, inaugurated by Hong Kong & Macau’s consul general of India, Satwant Khanalia, marked a milestone moment in India’s cinematic outreach. Filmart concludes today in Hongkong.
Spearheaded by the Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC) and the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the initiative was a power play to boost Indian cinema’s global footprint. Backed by the consulate general of India, Hong Kong & Macau, the pavilion was positioned as a launchpad for cross-border partnerships, international co-productions and market expansion.
“India’s film industry is one of the world’s largest, telling stories that transcend borders. The Bharat Pavilion is a new chapter in global collaborations, unlocking fresh opportunities for Indian cinema,” said Khanalia.
NFDC also spotlighted Waves – The World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit, set to hit Mumbai from 1-4 May 2025. Billed as a premier content hub, the event will pull in industry titans, innovators and investors, pushing India as the epicentre of global content creation and trade.
NFDC, a veteran in promoting Indian cinema at Cannes, Berlinale and Filmart, continues to drive co-productions, market expansion and distribution deals. The Bharat Pavilion was the latest jewel in its crown, offering Indian filmmakers a fast-track to international markets.
The opening day saw a whirlwind of activity—networking frenzies, industry huddles, and high-stakes talks on co-productions and content sales. Indian producers, distributors and filmmakers seized the moment, pitching projects, shaking hands, and scouting fresh markets.
Awards
Ajay Kakar to chair jury for ad:tech Honours Awards 2026
Industry leaders join jury as nominations surge for marketing tech awards
NEW DELHI: The ad:tech Honours Awards 2026 are gearing up for a bigger second edition, with Ajay Kakar, head of corporate branding at Adani Group, set to chair the jury for India’s technology-focused marketing awards.
Organised in partnership with the International Advertising Association India Chapter, the awards celebrate the growing influence of technology in shaping modern advertising and marketing outcomes. This year’s edition has drawn a strong response from across the industry, signalling rising momentum around innovation in marketing technology.
The organisers say the nominations reflect a wide range of ideas and approaches, highlighting how brands and agencies are increasingly leaning on platforms, tools and data to sharpen their campaigns and connect with audiences more effectively.
Leading the evaluation process, Kakar will head a jury made up of senior leaders from across brands, agencies and technology platforms.
The jury panel includes Amaresh Godbole, CEO, digital technology business at Publicis Groupe; Bishwajeet S, head of marketing and PR at Volkswagen India; Carol Goyal, executive director at Rediffusion and CEO of Aesthetic Intelligence Lab; Kushal Sanghvi, director at Komerz; Lara Balsara, executive director at Madison World; Rana Barua, group CEO India, sea and North Asia; Deepak Oram, senior vice president growth marketing and martech; and Priyanka Khaneja Gandhi, head of marketing and creative solutions at Amazon Ads India.
The ad:tech Honours Awards aim to recognise not just creative campaigns but the smart use of technology that delivers measurable impact and business results. Categories this year reflect the rapidly evolving digital landscape, covering areas such as artificial intelligence, data-driven marketing, content ecosystems, automation, martech and adtech integration, and commerce-led marketing.
The winners will be announced on 17 March 2026 at the Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi during ad:tech New Delhi 2026. The event is expected to bring together leaders from brands, agencies, platforms, creators and technology partners for an evening celebrating the ideas and innovations shaping the future of marketing.iconductor industries.
