Kochi, Nov 15

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal on Sunday declared the first edition of the Indywood Film Market open, calling it an innovative step in making India a powerful trade market in the world.

The market is being organised as part of the All Lights Indian International Film Festival (ALIIFF).

"Both the film market and the All Lights film festival are great concepts that are sure to create the momentum in this new path. As an actor for 38 years, I've witnessed radical change in the industry and it's very crucial that we adapt to the change," Mohanlal said at the inaugural ceremony of the market.

The event was also attended by veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal, Malayalam actress Manju Warrier and national award-winning director Rajesh Touchriver among film dignitaries from 47 countries.

At the event, top distributors and sales agents from international as well Indian regions were honoured with special awards, which the organisers claimed as a first-of-its-kind initiative.

"Distributors and producers are the people who contribute most to the business trade but eventually are also the most underrated lot," said Sohan Roy, founder and director of ALIIFF-IMF.