Women in Film India has launched the Producers Network Scholarship in partnership with the Marché du Film, Cannes Film Festival, and backed by Reliance Industries Ltd's content and media division, Jio Studios. WIF India will choose mid-career women producers from a pool of applicants to partake in the Producers Network Breakfast series, which is set to happen at Marché du Film from May 13 to 18 in Cannes. Applications for the scholarship are open until April 05, Sunday.
The scholarship is specifically designed for women producers from India with established track records who are making feature films having strong potential for international co-production and circulation. It continues WIF India's endeavours to support female producers in India. Last year, the organisation forayed into Cannes with a scholarship, supporting filmmakers such as Rucha Pathak, Dimpy Agarwal, and Tillotama Shome. The scholarship also underscores the organisation and Jio Studios' commitment towards empowering female filmmakers and making it possible for them to partake in the international film ecosystem.
One of Cannes' most popular platforms, The Producers Network brings together more than 370 filmmakers from the world over every single year. It offers much access to many international collaborators, financiers, co-producers, and market opportunities through its industry sessions and breakfast meetings.
Speaking about it, Jio Studios' President Jyoti Deshpande stated, "We believe the future of cinema is being shaped by more inclusive voices, and at Jio Studios, that belief has translated into consciously backing women storytellers, both behind the camera and in front of it because representation isn’t just about who we see on screen, but who gets to build what we see. This partnership with Women in Film India reflects our commitment to creating access where it matters most. The Producers Network at Cannes is where global film conversations and collaborations begin, and we want to see more Indian women producers in those rooms, building, leading, and taking their stories to the world."
On the other hand, WIF India's founder Guneet Monga stated, "The Producers Network has given me some of my most formative learning as a producer; the connections, the perspective, the sense of what's possible on a global scale. I want that for my peers. With this scholarship, we're making that access real for women producers who are ready for it."
