Mumbai: In a major milestone for the Indian film industry, Abhay Sinha, President of the Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA), has been elected as the Vice President of FIAPF (International Federation of Film Producers Associations). The election took place at the FIAPF Annual General Assembly held on 17th May 2025 in Cannes, France.
This prestigious appointment marks a moment of “immense pride for the Indian film industry,” as Sinha becomes a global representative of film producers from over 30 countries. Under his leadership, IMPPA has transformed into a dynamic and internationally active organization, advocating for Indian content creators and supporting them both domestically and internationally.
One of Sinha’s major accomplishments includes spearheading IMPPA’s participation in the Cannes Film Festival for the second consecutive year. More than 40 Indian films and delegates were showcased in 2025, with Sinha also speaking at the Bharat Pavilion panel discussion titled “Changing Paradigm of Film Screening: Theatres to OTT, Digital Platforms and Beyond”, offering key insights on the future of film distribution.
Sinha’s influence extends beyond international platforms. He has actively shaped film policy across Indian states such as Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and others. He has also worked toward easing film certification processes and advocating for better representation of the industry in national film bodies.
He has taken strong positions on industry challenges, notably addressing issues like Virtual Print Fees (VPF), exhibition difficulties, and taxation burdens. Sinha has also been vocal about the proposed 100% tariff by the United States on foreign entertainment content, warning against its potential impact: “Through his public statements and writings, he has highlighted the threat such tariffs pose to cultural exchange and the global reach of Indian cinema, urging for fair trade policies that protect the creative and economic interests of Indian filmmakers.”
Sinha, founder of Yashi Films, has made substantial contributions to the Indian film sector by producing over 150 feature films and more than 5,000 TV episodes. He also created the International Bhojpuri Film Awards (IBFA), described as “the first and only global award platform for Bhojpuri cinema,” bringing this regional genre to international audiences.
“Mr. Abhay Sinha’s election as FIAPF Vice President is a defining moment for Indian cinema, marking a stronger voice for Indian producers on the global stage and opening new opportunities for collaboration and growth,” the release stated.
