New Delhi: The Cannes International Film Festival is taking place from May 17 to May 25 in France. One of the most prestigious and well-known film festivals across the world that celebrates diverse cinema in all its forms, this time will be honouring India at the Cannes Film Market.


India has been selected as the official country of honour at the Cannes Film Market. This is the first time a country is being honoured at the Film Market. A new tradition which will now continue every year, this will give a platform to diverse demographics and their representation through cinema and its many forms.


Many have remarked on this momentous coincidence: India is also celebrating its 75th year of Independence from British colonial rule and it's also Cannes festival's 75th anniversary.


"The market celebrations will kick off on May 18 at the Majestic Beach with an introduction from market executive directors Jérôme Paillard and Guillaume Esmiol and a welcome address from Anurag Singh Thakur, India’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting," reported Variety.com


Indian celebrity Deepika Padukone has also been selected as the official jury member for the main feature film competition. India will also be presented prominently throughout the festival.


It has also been reported that Shaunak Sen’s Sundance grand jury prize winning documentary 'All That Breathes' will also show in a special screening.


A new restoration of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray’s rare movie 'Pratidwandi'  and Aravindan Govindan’s 'The Circus Tent' will also be presented in an exclusive screening at the Cannes Classics strand.


According to a Variety report, the India Forum will be the first program that opens the market's conference program."The panel discussion, “India: The Content Hub of the World,” will feature the Indian government’s secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Apurva Chandra, chair of India’s Central Board of Film Certification Prasoon Joshi and veteran Indian filmmaker Shekhar Kapur," the report added.


Market executive directors Jérôme Paillard and Guillaume Esmiol also said, "We are delighted to have India as our Country of Honor this year at the Marché du Film; and even happier to be able to share the celebration of our anniversary that we have in common – 75 years of Indian independence coinciding with the 75th Festival de Cannes,” quoted Variety.


The India Pavilion will be inaugurated on May 18th at the Village International.