Home / Arts and Entertainment / NFDC Lab Cultivates India's Next Cinematic Voices
NFDC Lab Cultivates India's Next Cinematic Voices
26 Nov, 2025
Summary
- The NFDC Screenwriters Lab provides crucial development support.
- It mentors eight projects annually with international experts.
- Past successes include 'The Lunchbox' and 'Fire in the Mountains'.
The National Film Development Corporation's Screenwriters Lab at Film Bazaar is a pivotal launchpad for independent Indian cinema, offering essential development support where such resources are scarce. This program nurtures eight projects annually through intensive mentorship from international script consultants, addressing a critical gap in the Indian film ecosystem.
The lab's framework, established by Marten Rabarts, attracts diverse regional projects, pairing writers with expert mentors. Filmmakers then pitch their developed scripts to international collaborators at Film Bazaar, with past participants securing funding and international recognition, such as through the Cannes La Résidence program.
Emphasizing the development of the filmmaker's unique voice, the lab contrasts with mainstream production, fostering innovation and poetic storytelling. It has become a recognized key program, attracting stronger projects and filmmakers as industry understanding of development processes grows.
