This is the first delegation since the 2002-03 film festival saw an Indian panel, which was led by former I&B Minister Sushma Swaraj.
The Cannes Film Festival which begins on May 8, will see I&B Minister Smriti Irani representing India at the French Riviera festival, The Times of India reported.
The festival will feature actor Dhanush’s "The Extraordinary Journey Of The Fakir" at Film Mkt/India Day, Nawazuddin Siddiqui's "Manto", which has been selected in the Un Certain Regard section, Tillotama Shome's "Sir", which is in competition at Critics Week, and Dinakar Rao's "Asthi" that will feature in the Short-film Corner segment.
The Un Certain Regard section features 20 different films with unique or original stories. In Manto, Nawazuddin Siddiqui plays renowned writer Saadat Hasan Manto.
The festival is being held until May 19, where Irani is leading an 8-member delegation.
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Four Indian films will be showcased at the film festival including National Award-winner "Village Rockstars" from Assam, "Bhayanakam" from Kerala, "Nagar Kirtan" from West Bengal and Jeseri film "Sinjar" from Lakshadweep.
The delegation will be the first since the 2002-03 film festival, when former I&B Minister Sushma Swaraj had led the panel. It will look at expanding India’s footprint in the co-production treaty market.
Other members of the delegation include joint secretary (films) Ashok Parmar, joint secretary in the MEA Vinod Jacob, censor board chairman Prasoon Joshi, filmmakers Shaji Karun, Jahnu Barua and Bharat Bala and actor Parvathy.
“India is at the cusp of change. We want young filmmakers from India to use this as a platform to showcase their creativity. We will also have a comprehensive halfday session to develop film commissions across the world,” said CBFC member Vani Tripathi Tikoo, who is part of the delegation.
Tikoo added, “It is very sad that Indian cinema earlier had to get a stamp of approval at film festivals for it to gain credibility and acceptance in India. We want to change that. So, we are taking brand new, never-seen-before films to the world’s largest film market.”