Marathi cinema continues its steady stride towards global recognition as Maharashtra marks its tenth year of presence at the prestigious Cannes Film Market.

The Maharashtra Film, Stage and Cultural Development Corporation (MFSCDC), in collaboration with the state’s Ministry of Culture, has once again set up a dedicated pavilion at the Marché du Film—Cannes’ official film market—which began on May 13.

According to a UNI report, the Maharashtra pavilion is currently showcasing four new feature films by independent Marathi filmmakers, aiming to introduce strong regional storytelling to an international audience. This initiative, backed by Dadasaheb Phalke Chitra Nagari under MFSCDC, has evolved into a consistent platform for regional creators to pitch their ideas to producers, distributors and festival organisers from across the globe.

The selected films for this year include ‘STHAL – A Match’ by Jayant Somlkar, ‘Snow Flower’ by veteran director Gajendra Ahire, Khalid’s Shivaji by debutant filmmaker Raj More, and ‘Old Furniture’ directed by the acclaimed Mahesh Manjrekar.

These four titles were handpicked from a pool of 48 submissions received by MFSCDC. “These films reflect the evolving narrative landscape of Marathi cinema, rooted in realism and layered storytelling,” said Manoj Khadam, the coordinator of the pavilion and an award-winning filmmaker himself.

Khadam, whose debut feature ‘Kshitij’ received 17 accolades including Maharashtra state honours for Best Film and Best Director, stated that the Maharashtra government and Film City Mumbai have consistently supported this global push by creating platforms for emerging filmmakers. “It’s not just about showcasing films,” he added, “but also facilitating connections that lead to global collaborations and co-productions.”

Marathi cinema, often praised for its content-driven storytelling, carries a legacy that traces back to ‘Raja Harishchandra’, India’s first film made by Dadasaheb Phalke in 1913. The state’s cinema has since been known for its artistic depth, social commentary and its unique blend of traditional themes with contemporary technique. According to Raj More, director of Khalid’s Shivaji, the absence of a star-centric culture in Marathi films puts the focus back on content. “Our audience supports stories with meaning, not just glamour,” he said.

The Maharashtra pavilion at Cannes has screened over 40 films since it was first set up in 2016 (with the exception of 2020 when it participated online due to the pandemic). This year’s presence continues until May 20, as part of efforts to promote Maharashtra as a film-friendly destination and Marathi cinema as a powerful storytelling force.

Mahesh Varhal, Deputy Secretary of the Maharashtra Culture Department, added that this global outreach is in line with the state’s new cultural policy unveiled last year. Complementing this push is a new single-window permission system introduced by the government for film shootings in Maharashtra, said Geetha Deshpande, Chief Administrative Officer at Film City, Goregaon.