The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) is continuing its work of strengthening the presence of Indian independent cinema on the global stage, as the film Ustad Bantoo is set for its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2026. The IFFR is a prestigious platform for independent and auteur-driven filmmaking.
NFDC's initiatives, specifically the Work in Progress Lab and its recommendation at the NFDC Waves Film Bazaar 2025, significantly shaped the film's international journey. The selection of Ustad Bantoo at IFFR 2026 marks a significant milestone, highlighting the tangible impact of NFDC’s development-to-distribution approach in guiding Indian films toward global recognition. The NFDC empowers Indian filmmakers and ensures that diverse voices from India secure a strong presence on the world cinema stage through platforms like the Work in Progress Lab and NFDC Waves Film Bazaar, which are held in conjunction with the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
During its participation in the Work in Progress Lab, Ustad Bantoo underwent an intensive development phase, where it benefited from mentorship and feedback from international film professionals. This process helped to sharpen the film’s narrative structure, cinematic language, and post-production strategy, which effectively positioned it for the global festival circuit. Furthermore, the recommendation at NFDC Waves Film Bazaar 2025 boosted the film's international visibility. The Bazaar plays a critical role in connecting Indian filmmakers with global producers, festival programmers, sales agents, and funding bodies, creating pathways for international collaboration and market access, as South Asia's leading film market.
Ustad Bantoo has also received industry honors, including the Red Sea Fund Cash Award and the Prasad Corporation Pvt Ltd Post-Production Award. These accolades reflect international confidence in the film’s creative vision and production quality.
Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of NFDC, commented on the achievement, stating that Ustad Bantoo's journey reflects NFDC's commitment to nurturing Indian stories through structured development and market platforms. He added that the objective is to enable filmmakers to refine their work and connect meaningfully with the global film ecosystem. Magdum views the film's selection at the International Film Festival Rotterdam 2026 as a proud milestone that reinforces the value of sustained institutional support for Indian cinema.
The NFDC Waves Film Bazaar 2025, which was held alongside the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), wrapped up five days of industry activity, with project discoveries, global partnerships, and a rise in the scale and ambition of South Asian filmmaking.
