Panaji, Goa: The 19th edition of the WAVES Film Bazaar witnessed a memorable moment as South Korean lawmaker Jaewon Kim sang India’s national song, Vande Mataram, during the opening ceremony. Her performance received a standing ovation from delegates, filmmakers, and industry professionals present at the event.
Jaewon Kim, a member of South Korea’s National Assembly and guest of honour at the ceremony, praised the organisers for maintaining a consistent platform for filmmakers since the bazaar’s inception. She highlighted the event as a space fostering collaboration and stronger India-Korea cultural ties in the creative sector. The performance coincided with India marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, adding symbolic significance to the occasion.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries, including Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting L. Murugan, Ministry Secretary Sanjay Jaju, actors Nandamuri Balakrishna and Anupam Kher, and festival director Shekhar Kapur. Speaking at the event, Sanjay Jaju described WAVES Film Bazaar as a complete ecosystem for the film industry, combining screenings, masterclasses, and technology showcases. He also noted the platform’s alignment with the vision of turning art into commerce.
L. Murugan emphasised India’s aspiration to become a global hub for film production, calling the bazaar a bridge between creators and producers. He highlighted the participation of 124 new creators this year and underlined the event’s role in promoting Indian culture and storytelling internationally.
Held alongside the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), WAVES Film Bazaar has grown into South Asia’s premier film market, attracting over 300 film projects and delegations from more than seven countries. Organisers expect around 40,000 visitors over five days at the Marriott Resort in Panaji. The event continues to provide opportunities for creative discovery, co-production, and networking across the global film community.
