India marked a strong and multidimensional presence at the European Film Market 2026, held alongside the Berlin International Film Festival in Berlin, with the formal inauguration of the Bharat Pavilion — the country’s official platform at the market. The Pavilion was inaugurated by Ajit Vinayak Gupte, Ambassador of India to Germany, in the presence of international industry leaders, cultural representatives and members of the Indian film and innovation delegation.
The inauguration underscored the growing engagement between India and Germany in the creative and cultural sectors. Among the distinguished attendees were Tanja Meissner, Director of Berlinale Pro and Head of the European Film Market; Peter Domsch, Head of Sales and Design, EFM; and Trisha Sakhlecha, Director of the Tagore Centre. The event was also attended by senior officials from the National Film Development Corporation, members of the Embassy of India in Berlin, and representatives from India’s evolving creative ecosystem.
India’s presence this year is marked by a blend of storytelling and innovation. Nine Indian filmmakers are engaging with international producers, distributors and festival programmers, reflecting India’s growing integration into global co-production networks and the rising international demand for Indian stories across languages and genres.
In addition, four emerging start-ups from India’s media-tech and creative-tech sectors are showcasing solutions at the market, highlighting the country’s expanding role in technological advancement within the global entertainment ecosystem. Two winners of the Create in India Challenge are also part of the delegation, representing emerging talent and innovation-driven storytelling.
A cultural delegation from Maharashtra is presenting the state’s film-friendly policies, funding support and production infrastructure, while Delhi’s delegation is promoting filming incentives and international collaboration opportunities. During interactions at the Pavilion, NFDC officials highlighted India’s upcoming flagship festivals, including the Mumbai International Film Festival 2026 and the International Film Festival of India, positioning them as major global platforms for cinematic exchange and co-production.
In his address, Ambassador Shri Ajit Vinayak Gupte emphasized cinema and creativity as powerful instruments of international engagement. He noted that India’s presence at EFM reflects not only its longstanding storytelling traditions but also its expanding role in global creative industries. He highlighted the growing synergies between India and Germany in film, culture and innovation, and underscored the importance of platforms such as EFM in building enduring creative and economic partnerships.
Organized by the National Film Development Corporation, the Bharat Pavilion is serving as a central meeting point for the global industry. The Pavilion is hosting business meetings, co-production discussions, networking sessions and industry dialogues, while promoting India as a filming destination and collaborative content partner.
India’s participation also extends to the EFM Innovation Hub, where Indian tech start-ups are presenting tools focused on immersive storytelling, digital production and media ecosystems, reinforcing the country’s growing footprint in creative technology.
With filmmakers, start-ups, cultural institutions and international stakeholders converging at the Pavilion, India’s participation at EFM 2026 reflects a strategic push to strengthen its global presence across cinema, culture and innovation-driven creative industries.
