As reported earlier, Manjummel Boys director Chidambaram’s Balan: The Boy is set to have a market screening at Marché du Film on May 14. While that gives the project a notable international platform, it is important to note that a screening at Marché du Film is not the same as being selected for the Cannes Film Festival itself.
Marché du Film is the business and trade wing that runs alongside the Cannes Film Festival every year. It is where producers, distributors, sales agents, financiers and streaming platforms gather to buy, sell and promote films. Trade screenings are held there for industry delegates, and filmmakers often use the market to seek overseas distribution, festival invitations and co-production opportunities.
That is separate from the official Cannes Film Festival selection, where films are chosen by the festival’s programmers for sections such as Competition, Un Certain Regard and Cannes Premiere. A market screening at Marché du Film does not mean a film has been selected by the festival or is part of its official line-up.
The distinction was underlined by filmmaker, lyricist and screenwriter Varun Grover, who criticised what he described as false reporting by a reputed media publication. Writing on X, he said, “Marche du Film is not a selection at Cannes. It’s a paid slot anyone can buy. Love Manjummel Boys and am sure Chidambaram has made a crackling next film - but Variety should be ashamed of spreading fake news and not even knowing the basics of a festival selection.” Highlighting the ease with which paid slots can be secured at the market, he added, “You could buy space and even premiere a gutkha masala ad at Marche.”
Similar concerns were raised by journalist, author and Consulting Editor of The New Indian Express / Cinema Express Namrata Joshi. She wrote on X, “Yo media so much misinformation! Record number of Indian films seem to be premiering at Cannes this year when, in fact, there is just one Indian short in the festival’s official selection in the #LaCineF section … @FTIIOfficial #MeharMalhotra’s #ShadowsOfTheMoonlessNights.” She added, “Marche Du Film is the market side of the festival. It is not ‘the’ festival. You can pay and screen your film there. That doesn’t make it a Cannes selection for cinema’s sake!”