June 16,2024
10:30 AM
11:30 AM
This topic investigates methods for funding and benefiting from documentary productions. The speakers will share information about grants, crowdsourcing, collaborations, television arrangements, film festivals, and direct distribution. These strategies enable filmmakers to fund their productions and reach a larger audience with their captivating stories.
June 16, 2024, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Panel Discussion
Moderator
This topic investigates methods for funding and benefiting from documentary productions. The speakers will share information about grants, crowdsourcing, collaborations, television arrangements, film festivals, and direct distribution. These strategies enable filmmakers to fund their productions and reach a larger audience with their captivating stories.
Serving MUBI as the Programming Director of Asia-Pacific region, curating content for the platform.
Svetlana Naudiyal has been serving MUBI as the Programming Director of Asia-Pacific region, curating content for the platform. Svetlana has a rich background in cinema, content, and curation. She has worked previously in different capacities for NFDC, MAMI, Drishyam Films to name a few.
Senior Media Executive
Arun Thapar is a senior media executive with a career spanning nearly three decades, leading all things content with top media brands. He has rich experience in content strategy, IP creation, production, commissioning, curation, customization, aggregation, and management.
As commissioner and executive producer for multiple award-winning shows, Arun has been responsible for significantly enriching Indian factual entertainment, with hundreds of hours of Indian documentary and unscripted originals across varied sub-genres, available on TV and digital platforms. He is passionate about collaborating with creative partners, to bring great stories to life and is excited about the future and new possibilities.
Chief Operating Officer of DocuBay.
Girish Dwibhashyam is presently the Chief Operating Officer of DocuBay, operating one of the world’s leading documentary streaming services, headquartered in Mumbai, since its launch in 2019.
DocuBay features documentaries commissioned, aggregated from some of the best non fiction content distributors and producers in the world. It has users from more than 150 countries accessing its service through direct to consumer means and various platforms, operators like Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV, Fire TV, Airtel, Jio, Swisscom, Vodafone, Ooredoo and more.
He Graduated St. Petersburg State University (Russia) in 1999 with the major in Economics. In 2003 received a master’s degree in international finance and business from Columbia University (USA). Since 2018 worked on the various positions Moscow government. Since April 2023 is involved on the project of the Moscow Movie Cluster. Founder of film.moscow and i.moscow. In the Moscow Movie Cluster is responsible for digital business processes, Moskino cinema chain, and overall strategy of the movie cluster.
A well known Lifeographer Launched TAKSHILA MULTIMEDIA
Rajni Acharya, a well known Lifeographer Launched TAKSHILA MULTIMEDIA in the year 1995, with a vision to venture in Multimedia in order to utilize his experience and expertise in the satellite & television while working with ATN TV Channel. Rajni Achatya has its own YouTube channel, called “Takshila Multimedia Live”. Takshila Multimedia is proud to have a rich library of TV shows, Short films and documentaries, produced & directed by Rajni Acharya.
12.00 Noon
01.00 PM
"Unveiling the Animation Frontier: Developing Intellectual Property via Animation Films'' investigates the process of developing intellectual property using animated films.
June 16, 2024, 12.00 Noon - 01.00 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderator - Ashish Kulkarni
“Unveiling the Animation Frontier: Developing Intellectual Property via Animation Films” investigates the process of developing intellectual property using animated films. It investigates the possibilities of animation as a medium for creating distinctive and commercial content by analysing the films like Ayalaan and Chhota Bheem. The session will examine numerous tactics and ways for using animation’s creative potential to develop valuable intellectual property.
CEO of Phantom FX Studios, VFX Director Ayalaan, a completely made in India animation film
Bejoy Arputharaj is the Founder and CEO at PhantomFx. He is the VFX director of Ayalaan. Bejoy has worked in more than 300 movies. And have worked in many prominent blockbuster movies like Baahubali and RRR and expertise in the digital film production pipeline has made PhantomFx a successful VFX Studio, with more than 700 employees working phantom is headquartered in Chennai, with offices in Mumbai , Hyderabad, Los Angeles, Vancouver Dubai and London. Bejoy’s success continues by recently acquiring a Multiple times Oscar winning Hollywood VFX Studio Tippett VFX.
CEO Green Gold Animations, Chhota bheem)
Sitarama Rajiv Chilakalapudi is the founder and CEO of Hyderabad-based Green Gold Animations and the creator of a few cartoons including Krishna cartoon series and Chhota Bheem which has now been made into an animated series and films. For his work in presenting cartoons at affordable price, Chilaka was conferred with an honorary doctorate of humane letters by the Academy of Art University, San Francisco in 2016. He was the recipient of the 2013 School of Computing and Engineering Alumni Achievement Award at the University of Missouri – Kansas City.
Legal IPR
Anamika, a leading media and entertainment lawyer, is known for her knack for crafting exceptional media and entertainment agreements. she is the founder of the legal website “Attorney for Creators” Her portfolio boasts co-production agreements, artist and producer collaborations, distribution deals, and writing partnerships, just to name a few. She has even squared off with some heavy hitters in the industry, defending creators’ interests in contracts with giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sony Liv, Dharma Productions, Sunshine Production Company, Sa Re Ga Ma, and the list goes on!
Naman Ramachandran is International Correspondent at Variety, specialising in South and Southeast Asia and the U.K.. Naman’s work as an author includes “Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography” (Penguin), “Lights, Camera, Masala: Making Movies In Mumbai” (IBH) and chapters in “Rough Guide To Film” (Rough Guides), “Movies: From The Silent Classics Of The Silver Screen To The Digital and 3D Era” (Universe) and “Movie Star Chronicles: A Visual History of 320 of the World’s Greatest Movie Stars” (Peregrine). He has previously worked with the British Film Institute, Cineuropa, HBO Asia and MTV India. He is a BAFTA member and is based in London.
Ashish S K embarked on his journey in the field of arts and media in 1985.
Ashish S K embarked on his journey in the field of arts and media in 1985, and since has immersed himself in the pursuit of conceiving sustainable careers in film, animation, visual effects, gaming, visual arts, and graphic design in India. At this early stage,Ashish S K jumpstarted the sprouting of the animation industry in India by facilitating outsourcing projects in the country with animation giants such as Disney, Warner Bros., Sony And Dreamworks.During this stage, Ashish S K produced ad films for All Out, Flying Machine, Max Candy & Max Ice cream for HLL, Nestle, Veneta Cucine and Kelloggs. Ashish S K, has created the SKILL INDIA logo. He has also created the promotional films for Jan Dhan Yogana, Skill India, Maharashtra Tourism, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute to name a few.
Ashish S K, has been appointed on the Indian Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics TASK FORCE recently formed by Government of India under the Information & Broadcasting Ministry. Ashish S K, has been appointed by Madhya Pradesh Government as an Expert and Creative advisor to its unique project at Omkareshwar on Adi Shankaracharya Museum and a full length feature film on life and times of Acharya Shankar. The Omkareshwar project also has Advait Vedanta International Research Institute and Gurukul.
4.30 Noon
5.30 PM
GoPro cameras have been game changers in the realm of action cameras, revolutionizing short-form video content and enhancing vlogging and blogging with engaging visuals that retain viewers on YouTube.
June 16, 2024, 4.30 Noon - 5.30 PM
In Conversation Panel
Moderator : Vani Tripathi Tikoo
GoPro cameras have been game changers in the realm of action cameras, revolutionizing short-form video content and enhancing vlogging and blogging with engaging visuals that retain viewers on YouTube. Learning how and where to use GoPros can significantly enhance content quality, leading to increased revenue through YouTube monetization. YouTube supports creators who create content with more retention and gives these creators more exposure through YouTube’s way of pushing the content like suggestions, home page suggestions, and next ups. This session of “GoPro and YouTube” explores the opportunities of using GoPros for YouTube content and also exploring the possiblities of monetisation of contents and the vast opportunities youtube is offering. The session which is high in content ,creativity and technology will have it’s might to it’s zenith when it is being moderated by the stalwart Ms. Vani Tripathi Tikoo!
Director of Marketing and Communications for GoPro
Yatish Suvarna is the Director of Marketing and Communications for GoPro India,blending his lifelong passion for tech and storytelling with his role at his dream company. With over 25 years of industry experience, Yatish has been at the forefront of India tech revolution, as a tech journalist, contributing to many firsts: the first tech magazine, the first tech page in a leading newspaper, and the first tech TV show. A GoPro fan from the get-go, he is thrilled to be championing a brand that mirrors his love for authentic photography and videography. Yatish is dedicated to empowering a vibrant community of GoPro enthusiasts across India, inspiring them to push creative boundaries and capture the world in fresh, innovative ways
Rizza Alee a 22-year-old athlete and adventure filmmaker from a village in Baramulla district in Kashmir who says snowboarding changed his life. Alee was introduced to the sport five years ago, during a day trip with his cousins to Gulmarg. “It was love at first glide,” he says. His love for snowboarding is equaled by his love of storytelling and filmmaking. Alee is rapidly making a mark on the international film scene and placing Kashmir in the global media market. IT IS THIS (است همین (won the prestigious Audience Award in a recent film festival in New York City.
Yash Rane is a chef turned photographer renowned for his soulful photography. With a passion for capturing the essence of life, Yash has traveled the globe, working on projects for major brands, including GoPro. Since GoPro& entry into India, he has been an integral member of the GoPro family. Yash & journey from the kitchen to behind the lens is a testament to his creative versatility and dedication to storytelling. His work continues to inspire and connect people, making him a sought-after photographer in the industry.
Mr. Vijay Koshy, President of The Viral Fever (TVF), is a digital content visionary with over two decades of leadership experience in top agencies like Enterprise, Trikaya Grey, Lintas, and JWT Fulcrum. He pioneered monetization models for major Indian media brands including Star TV, Sony, and ESPN. Instrumental in TVF’s rise, he established it as a leading destination for branded content, from web series to mini-snackable content. Mr.Koshy’s expertise has solidified TVF’s position as India’s premier OTT content creation brand, setting new standards in the industry.
YouTube Creator
Sai Teja is a multitalented 23 year young achiever from Hyderabad who is a writer, director, actor and dubbing artist. His YouTube channel Tej India has accrued a massive 5 Million subscribers. His content is largely fiction content made for youth audiences. Sai Teja and his gang are popularly known as ‘backbenchers’. Their ‘Backbenchers’ series on YouTube has garnered over 200 million views.
Head - Movie Content Partnerships, YouTube
Namrata works with movie studios, media companies and content creators to grow their presence on YouTube, improve their monetization and increase their viewership. Prior to Google, Namrata worked in the music industry in the US and India on content licensing and copyright management and is passionate about all things at the intersection of tech and media.
Vani Tripathi Tikoo, an Actor and a producer by profession is one of the youngest ever member of the Central Board of Film certification popularly known as “censor board”. Shes been a socio political acrivist and her campaigns and outreach programmes have focused on encouraging women’s participation in politics and bringing the youth to a universal platform that addresses issues including education, empowerment and employment. She has been
closely involved in theatre, films and television, having worked in projects in India as well as abroad. As an actor, she has about 50 plays, 40-odd TV serials and six films to her credit. She has worked in plays by legends like Anton Chekov, Peter Shaffer, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams and several Indian playwrights. After graduating in political science from the Delhi University, she went to the Living theatre academy of drama and learnt acting under the guidance of the legendary theatre guru Ebrahim Alkazi.Her close links with theatre further manifesting in her founding country’s first state run drama school in bhopal– MADHYA PRADESH NATYA VIDYALAYA – in Madhya Pradesh in 2011An extremely talented individual, Vani was also attached to journalism and broadcasting in India – she continues to contribute in Indian newspapers from time to time. She currently writes on issues ralated to broadcasting and content creation and was a part of the Core steering committe for the International Film festival of India,goa(IFFI) since the past eight years.She represented the country at the Cannes film festival 2022 with the likes of AR RAHMAN, SHEKHAR KAPUR, NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI and the Union minister for information and broadcasting Shri Anurag Singh thakur.And she recently authored her first book “Why can’t elephants be red?” which is making waves globally
5:30 pm
6.30 pm
Dive deep into the world of "Poacher" with writer, director, creator Richie Mehta as he unravels the journey from script to screen, revealing the treatment and his unique style of storytelling.
June 16, 2024, 5:30 pm - 6.30 pm
In Conversation
Speaker : Richie Mehta
Dive deep into the world of “Poacher” with writer, director, creator Richie Mehta as he unravels the journey from script to screen, revealing the treatment and his unique style of storytelling. This fictionalized wildlife crime drama uncovers the truth behind the largest ivory poaching ring in the history of India.
Richie Mehta, is an Emmy-Award winning director, creator, writer and an executive producer. Mehta’s first feature film, ‘Amal’ (2013), starred Naseeruddin Shah, Roshan Seth, and Seema Biswas. The film won over 30 international awards, was nominated for 6 Genie awards, including Best Picture, Director, and Adapted Screenplay, and was named one of the top ten Canadian films of the decade by Canadian trade magazine Playback. He then wrote and directed ‘I’ll Follow You Down’ (2013), a sci-fi drama starring Gillian Anderson, Rufus Sewell, and Victor Garber, and ‘Siddharth’ (2013), a Hindi-language film that premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Siddharth received over 25 International Awards, and was shortlisted for best foreign language film at the 2015 Golden Globe Awards.
Mehta then directed the feature documentary ‘India in a Day’ (2016), tracking a day in the life of India, and produced by Ridley Scott, and an episode of the Apple TV+ anthology series ‘Extrapolations’ (2023), as well as his 8-part series on wildlife crime, airing in 2024 on Amazon Prime Video, titled ‘Poacher’ (2024). Mehta recently created, wrote, and directed the 7-part series ‘Delhi Crime’ (2019), revolving around the Delhi Police’s investigation of the infamous gang-rape of a young medical student on a bus in 2012. The series garnered widespread critical acclaim, won several awards – including India’s first International Emmy for Best Drama Series, and the Asian Academy Award for Best Drama Series and Best Director.
Rohini Ramnathan is an internationally acclaimed radio personality with almost 2 decades of on-air experience across two countries, India and
Singapore. The first Indian to win two top honors at the Mediacorp Radio Awards in 2013, Rohini came back to India in 2016 to launch India’s coolest
retro station, Radio Nasha. Building digital scapes for content and designing larger than life movie experiences have been her forte. She now leads Radio Nasha India and hosts India’s biggest film show on Fever FM, Just Too Filmy. Rohini also hosts her own chat show, Bol Baby Bol on India’s premiere film journalism channel Film Companion. When she isn’t on the radio, you can find her acting in the movies (Gully Boy), or hosting Shahrukh Khan’s birthday party or performing in the theatre in Mumbai. She has been awarded the first ‘Queero’ award from India’s LGBTQi community for her undying championing towards the cause of equality in 2017.
3.45 PM
4.45 PM
The panel discussion focuses on exploring narratives surrounding social innovation.Handpicked by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister's Office and MIB, these innovators are central to our collaborative initiative.
June 16, 2024, 3.45 PM - 4.45 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderator : Aditya Kutty
The panel discussion focuses on exploring narratives surrounding social innovation. Handpicked by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office and MIB, these innovators are central to our collaborative initiative. Through captivating storytelling techniques blending animation and live-action, skillfully narrated by Raj Kumar Rao, we present the impactful journeys of these changemakers. Join us for a dynamic discussion highlighting the diverse stories of Indian creators who have redefined creativity and innovation. Delve into the personal journeys of these innovators, exploring how they navigated challenges, embraced creativity, and transcended boundaries to bring their ideas to life. From breaking gender norms to overcoming societal barriers, the panelists
will share insights and experiences, inspiring others to pursue their passions and make a lasting impact.
The Intersection of Gender and Creativity, Overcoming Challenges in Innovation, Inspiring Stories of Indian Creators, Redefining Success in the Creative Industry
Director of Strategic Alliance, PSA
Dr. Poti, a PhD from IIT Madras, has 30 years of experience in scientific research and development in India. She architected Manthan, a collaborative platform awarded by Dun & Bradstreet in 2022 and showcased at the World Governments Summit 2024. Dr. Poti is a Chevening Awardee, received the Swedish Government’s Leadership Fellowship 2023, and was featured by Forbes for Women Leaders.
Her previous roles include positions with the National Skill Development Corporation and Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs.
Managing Director and co-founder of Mylab Discovery Solutions
Hasmukh Rawal is the Managing Director and Co-founder of Mylab Discovery Solutions, spearheading innovations to make quality diagnostics accessible and affordable to all. Under his leadership, Mylab became the first in Asia to develop FDA-approved ID-NAT kits and launched India’s first RT-PCR test for COVID-19. His efforts have earned the company numerous prestigious awards, including the National Technology Awards and ET Start-up Award.
Cofounder Angirus
Lokesh P. Goswami is the co-founder and CTO of Angirus, holding a B.Tech in Civil Engineering. With over five years of field and technical experience, Lokesh specializes in material science and green technology. His expertise is pivotal in developing Angirus’s sustainable building materials, ensuring they meet high standards of strength and durability. Lokesh’s innovative work has significantly
advanced Angirus’s vision, transforming waste into valuable resources. He is committed to driving sustainable development and has been recognized for his contributions to the field, showcasing Angirus’s innovations on national and international platforms.
Cofounder Angirus
Kunjpreet Arora is a civil engineer and co-founder at Angirus who is deeply passionate about sustainable solutions. This passion led to the invention of “Wricks,” a sustainable alternative to clay bricks or cementitious blocks. With over 3 years of experience in business development, marketing, and sales at Angirus, she has been instrumental in driving the company’s mission forward. Kunjpreet has
represented Angirus on global platforms such as the World Economic Forum, Tie Globals, and the Clinton Global Initiative. Her work has been featured in Yunus Social Business, EU Switch Asia, Forbes India, and CGTN.
Founder and CEO, Aaharan
Amit Ghosh is the founder of aAHARAN EduSMART Pvt. Ltd., a company dedicated to providing e-learning services in local languages for students in Northeast India. Before starting aAHARAN, Amit was the District Coordinator for the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) with the Rural Development Department of the Government of Tripura, where he worked to improve rural livelihoods. He also has experience in academia, having been a faculty member at ICFAI University, Tripura, in 2014, where he taught management and development studies. Amit’s career shows his dedication to community development
Founder, TGS
Meghna Roy is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of The Good Stuff Studio (TGS), a creative agency. After working for a few years as a Senior Graphic Designer and then as Art Director for an advertising agency in Mumbai, Meghna, along with two of her friends who are also designers, decided to start TGS to give themselves free rein to explore their individual sense of design and build a new Indian aesthetic
Director, Corporate Legal, Netflix
Aditya is currently serving as the head of the litigation and regulatory function at Netflix as a Legal Director. He is a seasoned technology lawyer with experience in policy advocacy and regulatory matters.
2.00 PM
4.00 PM
Five days workshop on Animation software Blender and Basic Pipeline in the VFX and Gaming Industry. Blender has been a hit in the last ten years due to its photorealistic properties.
June 16 2024 to June 20 2024, 2.00 PM - 4.00 PM
Workshop (On Registrations only)
Speaker : Rahul Babu Kannikara
Five days workshop on Animation software Blender and Basic Pipeline in
the VFX and Gaming Industry. Blender has been a hit in the last ten years due to its
photorealistic properties.
Rahul Babu Kannikara is a Senior Gaming Animator at Warner Bros., based in Montreal, Canada. He excels in bringing characters and objects to life with intuitive movements and realistic expressions, using Unreal Engine, Autodesk Maya, Blender, Motionbuilder, and
3Ds Max. His strong grasp of anatomy, Cinematography, and Storytelling enables him to create visually stunning animations. A collaborative team player with excellent communication skills, Rahul is also a Certified Professional Photographer with over a decade of experience.
Some of his notable titles are :
Blair Witch
Resident Evil 7
Resident Evil 2 Remake
God of War
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance
Gowtham Knight(Batman)
June 17,2024
10:30 AM
11:30 AM
The session "Unlocking the Force: Using Documentary Films to Promote Social Transformation" delves into the potential of documentaries to act as a spark for social transformation.
June 17, 2024, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Moderator - D Ramakrishnan (GM NFDC)
The session “Unlocking the Force: Using Documentary Films to Promote Social Transformation” delves into the potential of documentaries to act as a spark for social transformation. The speakers will talk on the power of documentaries to change society by bringing issues to light, spurring action, and bringing about significant change. In the end, there will be arguments in favour of using documentaries as instruments for good social impact by highlighting their influence on public dialogue and developing empathy.
Veteran Filmmaker, Documentary specialist and 7 times National award winner)
Dr. Talakadu Srinivasaiah Nagabharana is an Indian film director, actor, producer in the Kannada film industry, television and theater. ”. He has been active for the past 40 years in films and has made 36 films in Kannada which have earned him 10 national awards, 23 State awards. He has the distinction of having 8 of his films selected for Indian Panorama in International Film Festivals. He is a renowned documentary filmmaker who has won world accolades. Many of his films were inspiration into many of the Bollywood films and all of them were hits like, Bajrangi Bhaijan (Kallaralli Hoovagi), Paheli (Nagamandala), 1942, A Love story (Mysore Mallige) etc
General Manager at NFDC (National Film Development Corporation).
D. Ramakrishnan, currently serving as the General Manager at NFDC (National Film Development Corporation) under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, boasts a robust educational background with an MSc in Computer Science and is presently pursuing his Ph.D. at Anna University, Chennai. With over 29 years of dedicated service at NFDC, Ramakrishnan has garnered extensive expertise across multiple domains, encompassing Production, Distribution, Media Planning, Film Restoration, Personnel & Administration, Skill Development, and International Film Festivals.
His wealth of experience underscores his invaluable contributions to the organization’s diverse operations, positioning him as a seasoned professional within the film and media industry. His contributions include managing digital transmission at Doordarshan, spearheading projects like the National Film Heritage Mission, and serving on boards at prestigious institutions. Actively involved in sailing associations and public service committees, Ramakrishnan is recognized for his commitment to the film industry, community, and government endeavors. He is also esteemed for his prowess as a presenter and interviewer.
12.00 Noon
01.00 PM
The session "Revealing Herstory: Investigating Women's Stories via Documentary Cinema" looks at how women's stories are portrayed in documentaries.
June 17, 2024, 12.00 Noon - 01.00 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderator - Queen Hazarika
The session “Revealing Herstory: Investigating Women’s Stories via Documentary Cinema” looks at how women’s stories are portrayed in documentaries. The speakers concentrate on how documentaries give people a way to learn about and celebrate women’s accomplishments, struggles, and experiences. The session highlights how crucial it is to give women’s views and viewpoints more prominence in cinema so that history and society are represented in a more inclusive and varied way.
69th National Award Winner Filmmaker
Srishti Lakhera is a documentary filmmaker from the Himalayan region of India. Her debut documentary feature, ‘Ek Tha Gaon’ Once Upon a Village, has won many awards, including the prestigious John Abraham Award(2022) and Best Film and Best Audiography at the 69th National Film Awards. She has directed and produced award-winning films for international organisations, grassroots organisations, government bodies, and national and international television, such as Channel News Asia. In recent years, Srishti has been drawn to accounts of digital anthropology and has started using interactive storytelling tools.
65th & 67th NFA Winner
Farha khatun is a filmmaker, editor from India. After receiving her professional training in editing from Kolkata’s Roopkala Kendro, she worked and travelled throughout India, understanding first-hand the everyday challenges of gender, patriarchy, religious and other forms of chauvinism. Through her documentaries, she articulates her beliefs. A poignant story about a trans footballer; one on a Muslim woman priest who challenges patriarchy; another on a lone, indigenous environmentalist in India’s north-eastern hills. Two-time recipient of the President of India’s “National Film Award for Best Documentary Film” (‘I am Bonnie’ and ‘Holy Rights’), her personal journey makes her focus increasingly on gender issues.
Docu Director/Producer/Author/ Member of 50-50 & CNC's Commission Image of Diversity
Isabelle Simeoni is an author, director, and producer of documentaries. She is a member of 50-50 and CNC commissioning Image of Diversity. She developed a strong passion for the arts, growing up in Corsica. Isabelle earned her Undergraduate B.A. in Art and Communication at SFCollege in New York, completed with creative writing for films at NYU. Convinced that culture is a powerful tool for change, she advocates to make the entertainment industry a more inclusive, gender fluid and socially equitable place for all marginalised communities.
Director, Writer, Actress and Model
Prerana Barbarooah is an Indian Director, Writer, Actress and Model. She has written and directed more than 50 Documentaries, Docu-Dramas, Feature Films, Short Films, TV Serials, Advertisements and Music Videos. Barbarooah has earned multiple prestigious accolades, the most notable being the National Film Award (2007) from the President of India Prathibha Devisingh Patil, Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Achievement in Creativity at the Mumbai IDPA Awards (2015), Youth Cultural Talent Award (2016) from Purbanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha and Prerana Award (2022) for her contribution in Assamese Cinema.
A versatile talent, has reigned as a prominent voice in the realm of documentary narration since 1996.
Queen Hazarika, a versatile talent, has reigned as a prominent voice in the realm of documentary narration since 1996. Beginning with renowned directors like M. Maniram and Johns Moholia, she has lent her voice to numerous award-winning documentaries aired on platforms like PPC, North East, and Doordarshan. Fluent in Assamese, Hindi, and English, she narrates with finesse, also extending her skills to advertisements. Hazarika’s acting journey, commencing in 2012, has showcased her prowess across various languages and mediums, from Assamese films like “Surjasta” to stage productions such as “Stage III Fighting.”
4:15 PM
5:00 PM
The director and DOP of ‘My Mercury’ discuss the issues brought into focus by this eco-psychological tale about a passionate conservationist who makes a cruel pact to save endangered seabirds from extinction on an inhospitable island, alone.
June 17, 2024, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
In Conversation
Moderator : Shankar Ramakrishnan
The director and DOP of ‘My Mercury’ discuss the issues brought into focus by this eco-psychological tale about a passionate conservationist who makes a cruel pact to save endangered seabirds from extinction on an inhospitable island, alone. Apart from describing the magnetic and metaphoric power of the story of Yves’ Mercury, and her thirty-year commitment to tell it, Director Joëlle Chesselet will bring the audience up to the present to illustrate the absolute reality of species’ extinction and the necessity of heeding warnings to prevent the further decline of the seabird populations of the South Atlantic. DOP Lloyd Ross will speak about the exhilarating challenge of filming, what Joëlle’s brother called “The holy mountain in the sea”.
Joëlle Chesselet, Director, Producer, Writer of “My Mercury” – Has garnered international awards for documentaries over the 3 decades during which
she was making My Mercury. Her directing and producing of "Ochre and Water – Himba chronicles from the Land of Kaoko” were honoured by the National Geographic Society. She is the recipient of the ‘Earthwatch Institute’ award for “thoughtful insight into the process of living that has helped people to broaden their horizons, and to more fully appreciate life on earth” (U.S.A). Her next feature documentary “Shifty – House on Fire” explores how musicians and songwriters expressed the zeitgeist, under the umbrella of an independent record label, with a diverse catalogue of artists that contributed to shifting mindsets, in the lead up to the death of official Apartheid.
Director – camera – editor – music producer
Lloyd Ross – Director – camera – editor – music producer. Founded Shifty Records in 1983, responsible for producing most of the protest music recorded in South Africa from then until the end of apartheid, featuring ground breaking artists of diverse backgrounds and genres with something to say. Went on to making music videos and in the mid 90’s, diversified into documentaries about music in general and later making films about just about everything else.
Amongst other things, made a number of films for al Jazeera English and completed a handful of award winning feature documentaries. Along the way winning Sarie, Asami & Sama awards for music, plus Editors Guild, Avanti, Safta and numerous international film festival awards for work in film.
Shankar Ramakrishnan – Writer/ Director/Producer/Actor. 22 years of creative career in Feature Films, Non-Fiction, Museum Installations and Literature. Wrote notable films like Urumi, Netholi our Cheriya Meenalla, Pathinettam Padi, Raani. Have been awarded as an actor for Spirit and Bavuttyude Namathil. Specialized in designing and executing audio visual and digital presentations for Museum galleries and creating narratives in spatial layoutsCreative Director
and Design Head for EK Nayanar Memorial Museum, Kannur and St.Kuriakose Elias Chavara Living Museum, Mannanam, Kottayam. ALSO Research and Development: Gen AI Based Museum Installations. Executive member of Kerala State Chalachithra Academy, Department of Cultural Affairs – Government of Kerala.Conducts Master class on the theme “Digital Transition in Cinema: Composition and Discourse“
5:15 PM
6:00 PM
Global eyes on India - How Indian stories are headed towards global relevance. Explore the impact of rich cultural narratives, diverse perspectives, and unique storytelling techniques that resonate with audiences worldwide.
5:15 -6:00 PM
Mayank Shekhar (Journalist)
Global eyes on India – How Indian stories are headed towards global relevance. Explore the
impact of rich cultural narratives, diverse perspectives, and unique storytelling techniques that
resonate with audiences worldwide. Discover how Indian literature, cinema, and art are
breaking boundaries and creating a global cultural footprint.
Director
Daniela Völker a German and Argentine documentary Producer/Director based in London who has made films for Netflix, CNN, PBS, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, National Geographic, ZDF, France5, on subjects as varied as the current war in Ukraine, the Sicilian mafia, the aftermath of Rwandan genocide, law and order in Mexico, the practice of ‘bride stealing’ in Kyrgyzstan and the collapse of the Argentine economy. Daniela specialises in complex narratives and access-driven, character-led films; ‘The ommandant’s Shadow’, is a feature-length documentary about the son of the Commandant of Auschwitz and his son, a survivor and her daughter and the long shadow traumatic events in the past cast down the generations. It took her four years to make and will, she hopes, add to our
understanding of the Holocaust and its impact.
Executive Producer
Wendy is the Executive Producer of The Commandant’s Shadow. She worked for 20 years as a BBC journalist and presenter and specialises in bringing intimate observational documentaries to a wide audience, with sensitivity, warmth, and humour. Over the past three decades, she has conceived, developed and executive produced a line-up of stand-out, challenging films across a variety of platforms. From the British Royal Family to US prisons, assisted suicide to ballroom dancing, she has worked across many genres, covering news, current affairs, documentaries, and entertainment. Career highlights include getting an innocent man off death row in the US, a guilty man jailed in the UK for selling passports for sex, interviewing 5 Royals and 2 former Prime Ministers and winning a Royal Television Society Award for her portrayal of life in London’s Mayfair. She also memorably tracked down Saddam Hussein’s hilarious barber, who had a story or two to tell, and had her early career on The Sunday Times immortalized on screen by actress Celia Meiras in the BBC drama-doc Nuclear Secrets. The Nuclear Secrets film depicted Wendy’s role as a 21 Jewish intern, who was asked to work on the story of Mordechai Vanunu, who arrived at the newspaper’s offices on her first day. She has also worked as a commissioning editor in BBC History, and produced and reported a BBC World Service series on anti-semitism and Holocaust denial. She had her own mini-series on the BBC’s popular The One Show, in which she interviewed people who had made huge ethical or moral decisions, and for BBC Radio she presented the critically acclaimed The House I Grew Up In, in which she took high profile figures back to their childhood homes to explore the forces that had shaped them.
Founder, Creativeland Studios
Sajan Raj Kurup, is a creative entrepreneur, investor and a producer. He is the Founder & Chairman of Creativeland Asia and Creativeland Studios where his belief in storytelling’s power drives him to craft compelling narratives, shaping the future of brands and filmed entertainment. He is also the Chairman of Creators Inc London, one of UK’s noted content houses that represents top Hollywood directors. Kurup is also the publisher and Managing Director of RollingStone India and Mansworld Magazine. He recently set up a Joint Venture along with David Unger to launch AIG India.
Journalist
Mayank Shekhar is a film critic, writer and the head of entertainment at Mid-Day. He’s the first film critic to win the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. His last book, Name Place Animal Thing, was a critically-acclaimed Amazon top title. His ongoing podcast Sit With Hitlist has won multiple prizes. Mayank was part of the founding leadership team of Mumbai Mirror and was national culture editor of Hindustan Times.
June 18,2024
10:30 AM
11:30 AM
The masterclass "Investigating the Wilderness: Documentaries on Indian Wildlife and Conservation Initiatives" explores the field of making documentaries about conservation initiatives and Indian wildlife.
June 18, 2024, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Masterclass
Moderator - Anchor
The masterclass “Investigating the Wilderness: Documentaries on Indian Wildlife and Conservation Initiatives” explores the field of making documentaries about conservation initiatives and Indian wildlife. Alphonse Roy talks about how documentaries help people understand the value of conservation efforts and the vast biodiversity of the nation. He focuses on how these films illuminate environmental problems, wildlife habitats, and conservationists’ activities in an effort to motivate viewers to take action and develop a greater understanding of India’s natural heritage.
Host, Voiceover, and Cinematography
Alphonse, a multi-talented professional, boasts expertise in hosting, voiceover, and cinematography. He is a graduate of the prestigious Film & T.V. Institute of Tamilnadu. With notable credits as a Director of Photography for acclaimed films like “Gour Hari Dastaan,” “Life is Good,” and “Urumi,” etc. Alphonse’s cinematic vision shines through. His portfolio spans television, commercials, and music, showcasing his versatility and creativity. Alphonse earned acclaim with a Prime Time Emmy Award for “Tibet The End Of Time” (1995) and a Hugo Television Award for “Tiger Kill” (2008). He also received a Film Fare Award nomination for Best Cinematography for “AAMIR” (2009).
12.00 Noon
01.00 PM
The speakers of "Creating the Magic: The Development of Animated Films and Their Persistent Appeal to Children and Adults" delves into the creative process of animated movies and their capacity to captivate audiences of all ages
June 18, 2024, 12.00 Noon - 01.00 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderator - Munjal Shroff
The speakers of “Creating the Magic: The Development of Animated Films and Their Persistent Appeal to Children and Adults” delves into the creative process of animated movies and their capacity to captivate audiences of all ages. Speakers explore the imaginative processes and narrative strategies employed in animation, emphasizing how it can enthrall audiences of all ages. The session highlights how animated movies are a timeless kind of entertainment because of their inventive environments, endearing characters, and universal themes.
Filmmaker, Director Maya Entertainments Animations
Ketan Mehta(FTII) is one of the most internationally acknowledged filmmakers from India. He has received many National and International awards for his well-known films including Best Film for ‘Mirch Masala’ at the Hawaii International Film Festival and the Best Film Audience Choice Award at Locarno for ‘The Ballad of Mangal Pandey’.He is also recognized as a pioneer in the field of Animation and Digital Visual Effects in India.He launched ‘Maya’ – the Animation and VFX Studio in 1997, which created India’s first sci-fi Television Series ‘Captain Vyom’ using Computer Animation and Visual Effects which became a cult classic. He has served as a consultant on many Government of India bodies including Doordarshan, Directorate of Film Festivals and on the Board of Directors of NFDC.
Animator, Filmmaker, Painter, Sculptor with Limca Book of Records
She is a filmmaker, digital artist and sculptor who works across mediums. Her films have gone to numerous film festivals globally and received critical acclaim, especially the short film Shri Hanuman Chalisa. She is the co-creator of Legend of Hanuman on Disney+ Hotstar, one of the most popular shows for any OTT in India. She is also a jury member for numerous film festivals and the president of the AVGC task force at the PHD chambers of commerce. As an artist and sculptor, Charuvi started with miniatures, her signature ‘claytronics’ and went on to make large installations. She has 2 Limca Book of records and her works have been showcased at numerous museums and galleries, including the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi and Mumbai. Her most recent work ‘Lumena’ will travel across 4 continents as a showcase of pioneering contemporary Indian art. Her studio, CDL, is one the foremost animation and design studios in the country, creating numerous short films for TV, OTT, Museums and Immersive Experiences. Charuvi continues to create short films with The Ballad of Prahlad: Narasimha Awakens being her latest.
Emmy Nominated Filmmaker - Return of the jungle
Vaibhav Kumaresh is an International Emmy nominated animation film maker and Founder, Creative Director at Vaibhav Studios, Mumbai. The studio has created some of India’s favourite animated content including Simpoo for Channel [V] and Lamput the globally acclaimed, micro short series for Cartoon Network. The studio’s maiden Hindi feature film titled Return of the Jungle has won several international awards and is set to release soon! Vaibhav is the Honorary Secretary of The Animation Society of India and also teaches at various animation & design schools across India.
Jackky Bhagnani is a dynamic force in Indian entertainment, known for his pioneering contributions as one of the youngest producers in the industry.
Leading Pooja Entertainment, a key player in film production and distribution, he has made a significant mark. Expanding his vision, Jackky founded Jjust Group, with a mission to transform the global entertainment landscape through innovative strategies.
A standout initiative under Jjust Group is Jjust Kids, dedicated to edutainment and entertainment. They’ve recently launched Ally and Zoe, two engaging characters, and are in the process of creating 8-10 new full-format animation IPs, poised to captivate and educate young audiences worldwide.
Mohammed Kheirandish is a prolific writer, director, and character designer with over 19 years of experience in animation. He created the Dolphin Boy feature film and Thunder the Last Persian Cheetah TV series. Mohammed designed over 1,000 characters and contributed to feature films like Release from Heaven. He teaches character design, authored a textbook, and won multiple awards, including three from Tehran’s Animafest. Mohammed also serves as a judge for festivals and various animation councils.
A Creator, Producer and Director
Munjal is a creator, producer and director with 27 years of experience across the entire spectrum of live-action, animation, gaming and VFX. He co-founded his production company and animation studio, Graphiti in 1995 and his passion for creating original content and understanding of the business of kid’s entertainment has helped to establish his animation studio as a content powerhouse.
He has forged partnerships with some of the biggest names in kids entertainment including Netflix, Walt Disney TV, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon and has also helped to put India on the global map for Original content. He has developed and produced India’s first kids live action TV show with 3D animation “J bole toh Jadoo” with Nickelodeon.
He is also the creator of the animated series, YOM for Disney Channel. YOM and Krish, Trish and Baltiboy have been released by Netflix in 150 countries in multiple languages including Hindi, English, Turkish, Polish, Korean and Chinese. His brilliance as a Creative Producer has led him to the prestigious project of creating the official YouTube Channel Yoga with Modi with 3D animated Yoga Videos featuring a 3D Avatar of Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
He also serves as the Co-Chairman of FICCI AVGC Forum (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) and is an Advisory Board member of the Media and Entertainment Skill Council. He recently served on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Task force on National Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comic and XR Policy.
02.00 PM
03:30 PM
The "Schwizgebel’s Approach to Animation” masterclass provides a thorough overview of the art and techniques of animation.
June 18, 2024, 02.00 PM - 03:30 PM
Masterclass
Moderator - Anchor
The “Schwizgebel’s Approach to Animation” masterclass provides a thorough overview of the art and techniques of animation. The session is led by an industry specialist, covering a variety of topics such as character design, storyboarding, animation fundamentals, and digital technologies. Participants learn vital skills and insights on how to bring their creative dreams to life via practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises. Whether new or seasoned, this master workshop gives an opportunity for animators to develop their craft and improve their narrative skills in the dynamic world of animation.
An Animation director and Producer
The animation director and producer Georges Schwizgebel (1944) has created a remarkably original body of work. His films-whose technical execution is always masterful-are marked by a playful approach to narrative, and the intermingling of visuals and music. His first film, The Flyght of Icarus (1974) begins a career that currently numbers 21 films, which have gone to win numerous awards at prestigious international festivals (such as Cannes, Annecy, Zagreb, Hiroshima, Chicago and Stuttgart). The Ride to the Abyss (1992) is regularly cited as one of the finest animated films of all time.
Acclaimed International award winning Animation Filmmaker & Curator with more than 33 years experience.Her artistic films have won worldwide accolades.Invited as Jury/Grand Jury in several international film festivals in India & abroad including 66 th NFA.Her work has been mentioned in World Encyclopedias of Animation.She curated animation programmes for MIFF & other international festivals since more than a decade.
03.45 PM
04.45 PM
Motivating Stories: Originality and Ingenuity" digs into the core of storytelling, highlighting the value of creativity and uniqueness in engaging listeners.
June 18, 2024, 03.45 PM - 04.45 PM
Masterclass
Moderator - Anchor
“Motivating Stories: Originality and Ingenuity” digs into the core of storytelling, highlighting the value of creativity and uniqueness in engaging listeners. The session elaborates how unique storylines and innovative techniques may inspire and drive audiences, using incisive analysis and real-world examples. Creators may create captivating narratives that touch emotionally with viewers by recognizing creativity and authenticity in storytelling, therefore increasing engagement and establishing emotional connections.
A Film Director, Producer and Professor in Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre
Audrius Stonys, a Film Director, Producer and Professor in Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. He is a Doctor of Arts and a Recipient of Lithuanian National Culture and Art Award. In 1992, the documentary film, “Earth of the Blind”, was recognised by the European Film Academy as the Best European Documentary Film of the Year. Since 1989, he has created more than 20 internationally recognised creative documentaries and more than 400 TV documentaries.
5.00 PM
6.30PM
Santosh Sivan explores how filmmakers can apply visual symbolism to improve narrative, explaining his own methods for bringing symbolic imagery into his films and its influence on viewers
June 18, 2024, 5.00 PM - 6.30PM
Felicitation & In Conversation With Santosh Sivan
Moderator : NAMRATA JOSH
Santosh Sivan explores how filmmakers can apply visual symbolism to improve narrative, explaining his own methods for bringing symbolic imagery into his films and its influence on viewers. He also discusses his experiences filming in a variety of natural settings and how landscape can serve as a compelling
background for storytelling, as well as approaches for portraying nature’s beauty and grandeur on screen. Recently, Sivan achieved a significant milestone at the Cannes Film Festival, where he was awarded the prestigious Best Cinematography award, the Pierre Angénieux Tribute Award for his exceptional quality of work, further cementing his reputation as a master of visual storytelling. Through this felicitation session, we would understand his exceptional ability to use the camera to enhance narrative depth and emotional resonance, reinforcing his status as a visionary in the world of cinema.
Santosh Sivan is an Indian cinematographer, film director, producer and actor known for his works in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi cinema. Santosh graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India and has, to date, completed 55 feature films and 50 documentaries.He is the recipient of 12 National Film Awards, six Filmfare Awards, four Kerala State Film Awards, and three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.Santhosh Sivan received the prestigious Pierre Angénieux ExcelLens in Cinematography honour at the Cannes Film Festival 2024.
NAMRATA JOSHI is a national award-winning film critic. Currently she is consulting editor with The New Indian Express and freelance film critic with Screen International UK.
She is also Curator (Market), Cinevesture International Film Festival (CIFF) and Programmer with the Indian Film festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA). A member of the India chapter of FIPRESCI, the international federation of film critics based in Munich, she has been a member of the Fipresci critics’ juries in several international festivals like Toronto, Cluj, Cairo, Moscow, Kerala and Aurangabad. She has also been on the juries at Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival
and the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK). She has been on the selection committee for films at International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa and IFFK.
June 19,2024
10:15 AM
11:15 AM
The masterclass titled "Encouraging Change: Increasing Impact with Short Films" examines how effective short films may be in fostering social change. Nemil Shah explores methods for making the most of short films, such as audience interaction, focused distribution, and strong storytelling.
June 19, 2024, 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Masterclass
Moderator - Anchor
The masterclass titled “Encouraging Change: Increasing Impact with Short Films” examines how effective short films may be in fostering social change. Nemil Shah explores methods for making the most of short films, such as audience interaction, focused distribution, and strong storytelling. Short films have the power to change society by bringing attention to important topics, motivating viewers to take action, and showcasing engaging stories on digital platforms.
Artist from Jamnagar
Nemil Shah: Nemil is an artist from Jamnagar, India, who mainly works in the realms of films and video installation. His debut short film- “Dal Bhat”, won various accolades including the National Film Award and was also an official entry to the Oscars. In 2023, he created a video- odour film installation- “9-3” in the Amazon Rainforest, Peru, which recently premiered with the works of artists like Apichatpong Weerasethakul. He recently finished a Super 8mm film, which is a part of the Thailand Biennale, 2024. Seven to seven, his first feature film will soon commence its production. Nemil being 24 year old will youngest Master Class of 18th MIFF 2024
02.00 PM
4.00 PM
The session will explore the symbiotic relationship between documentary filmmaking and corporate branding.
June 19, 2024, 02.00 PM - 4.00 PM
Pitching (2.00 pm - 3.15pm) & Panel Discussion (3.15 pm - 4.00 pm)
Chandrashekhar Mantha
The session will explore the symbiotic relationship between documentary filmmaking and corporate branding. With participants from various industry verticals, like FICCI, the discussion will explore how documentaries can be powerful tools for brand enhancement and CSR promotion. Documentary films offer brands a unique medium to communicate their values and commitment to social issues, engaging
stakeholders, fostering public trust, and driving meaningful social change. The conversation will also discuss the challenges of producing impactful films and the metrics for measuring success in terms of brand perception and social impact. The session aims to inspire companies to harness the power of documentary filmmaking as a catalyst for positive societal impact and enhanced brand loyalty.
She joined L’Oréal India as Director Corporate Affairs & Engagement in 2021. She has over 20 years of experience in diverse areas including tech journalism, consumer and brand PR, and corporate communications in Singapore and India. Krishna holds a BA Honors in Journalism from Delhi University and Masters in Communication and a Diploma Human Rights from Hyderabad Central University.
Chief Legal Officer and Group General Counsel Marico Limited.
Amit Bhasin is Chief Legal Officer and Group General Counsel for Marico Limited. He is part of the Executive Committee of Marico Limited and is responsible for Legal and Corporate Affairs Function for Marico Group both in India and International markets. Amit
Bhasin is member of Governance Committee of Marico and also leads Corporate Social Responsibility function of Marico. Amit has over 19 years of experience in Corporate Legal, Legal Business Partnering, Corporate Compliances and Governance. He has worked across organizations in consumer sector. Prior to joining Marico, Amit Bhasin was associated with Hindustan Unilever Limited as General Manager – Legal and Corporate Secretarial for over 13 years. He has handled multiple roles and worked on several M&A transactions and corporate actions for Unilever including the acquisition of GSK business. He was part of several global working
networks for Unilever in the areas of Competition Law, Governance and Compliance. Amit plays an active role in the advocacy
efforts for FMCG industry and is part of several industry bodies. He is member of FICCI FMCG Committee and Chair for FICCI FMCG Committee for Legal Metrology and CCPA. He is part of Legal Committee of Indian Beauty & Hygiene Association (IBHA), Executive Committee Member of MCIA FMCG User Council and Chair for Chief Legal Officer Network India, Winmark . He has featured in GC
Powerlist India in 2022, has been recognised for his excellence as the Best Leading Lawyers 2022 by World Intellectual Property Forum (WIPF). Amit was awarded 40 under 40 Legal Rising Stars Award by Legal Era in 2019. Amit is a Law Graduate and a certified Chartered Secretary from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) . He has also earned a post-graduation certification in Sustainable Business from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom in 2011.
Sh. Prithul Kumar, is presently JS (Broadcasting II) & MD, NFDC, Ministry of I & B.. He is a Civil Servant of 2000 batch of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) Officer. He has held various assignments in the Ministry of Railways handling diverse areas, viz. Operations, Marketing, Infrastructure, IT &; Safety. In 2008, he had been deputed for the challenging assignment of setting up train operations for the inauguration of Railways in Kashmir Valley and in 2019, for expediting Dedicated freight corridors; High speed Railway projects. He worked in Ministry of Mines from 2013-19, where he spearheaded several pathbreaking initiatives such as – implementation of the transformational ‘auction’ mechanism for bringing transparency mining lease allotments in the country, instituting sustainability framework in mining by starting ‘Star Rating’ of Mines, preventing illegal mining using satellite technology by getting a ‘Mining Surveillance System’ developed. He spearheaded in protected country’s interests in an ‘International Arbitration’ case under Bilateral Investment Treaty, which is one of the cases to be decided in favour of India. During his current tenure in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, he has been contributing immensely for the growth of the film sector. He has been involved intensively in merger the Film Units to strengthen the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC),
which was completed within the timelines. He played key role in the formulation and enactment of the amendment to the Cinematograph Act in 2023, which was amended after 40 years to incorporate the changes in technology and societal norms. It is
a key legislation to comprehensively prevent film piracy & aims to address the issues relating to film certification. He was the member secretary of the AVGC Task force and is involved in carrying forward the recommendations by instituting policy environment for the growth of the AVGC sector. He was the Festival Director of the 54 th International Film Festival of India (IFFI),2023 & Market Director of the 17 th Film Bazaar, 2023 in November, 2023. This edition of IFFI ; FB were widely applauded by the International Film fraternity, with record number of international film entries to the tune of 3 times. The success of the festival reflected in its outreach growing 30 times more than its last edition. He had also organised Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) Film Festival in Jan 2023 in Mumbai. In free time, he likes to watch movies and play outdoor games like squash, badminton
Marketing & Sustainability Director,HUL
He is a marketing and sustainability Director and also Sales & Marketing leader. Worked in multiple categories from ice creams, food, tea and Homecare and on multiple 1000 cr + brands and on digital first launches.
Head - Media & Entertainment,Partner Deloitte India
Chandrashekhar is a Partner at Deloitte India with over 20 years of extensive experience in leading various engagements across multiple
sectors such as Retail, e-Commerce, Telecom, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Media & Entertainment, and Metal & Mining which have resulted in significant process improvements, control enhancement and cost optimization opportunities. He has served some of the largest groups and companies – both Indian and Multinational. He has worked across multiple geographies with cross cultural teams.
Chandrashekar has been invited to provide inputs on leading Internal Audit and Control practices (including automation opportunities) to governance
and risk assurance functions. He has been involved closely with C-Suite and Audit Committees to strengthen the internal control environment, and
has written several thought papers, POVs and articles. He has been a subject matter expert on corporate governance, risk management solutions, policies and procedures and COSO framework implementation and has made his contribution towards various thought leadership publications as well as white papers. He has led various SOP design, control automation, COSO framework implementation, internal audit and risk management engagements. He has led multiple IFC engagements in India which involved implementation of Internal Financial Controls based on COSO framework. He has worked with large international business groups in improving their reporting structures and control environment based on COSO framework and has provided various risk advisory solutions in India and overseas. He was involved in large global SOX engagements across different sectors viz. metals & mining, telecom, media & entertainment in India and overseas. His involvement was throughout the scoping, documentation and testing phases of the implementation project
11:30 AM
01:00 PM
The Cinematography masterclass cum Inconversation session on cinematography , "Beyond Boundaries" is an intensive journey into the art and methods of cinematography, breaking down traditional barriers to unleash creativity and innovation
June 19, 2024, 11:30 AM - 01:00 PM
In Conversation
R V Ramani & Sunny Joseph
The Cinematography masterclass cum Inconversation session on cinematography , “Beyond Boundaries” is an intensive journey into the art and methods of cinematography, breaking down traditional barriers to
unleash creativity and innovation. This masters session, led by an experienced teacher and other industry professional, delves beyond traditional cinematography approaches, exploring new views, technology,
and narrative strategies. Participants learn about lighting, composition, camera movement, colour theory, and visual storytelling, as well as practical techniques and ideas to help them improve their craft. Participants learn how to push cinematography’s boundaries via hands-on exercises, case studies, and collaborative projects, resulting in visually spectacular and emotionally powerful films that capture audiences. The national award winning documentaries of one master and the 60 plus documentaries of
another master will be unleashed in this session.
RV Ramani, a filmmaker and cinematographer, a national award winner, makes documentary films that explore aspects of expressions. R.V. Ramani graduated in Physics from Mumbai University and took up photojournalism as a profession for 3 years. He then joined the Film and TV Institute of India, Pune, graduating in 1985, specializing in Motion Picture Photography. Over the years, Ramani has established a unique style of his own, making independent impressionistic documentaries. He has travelled widely, his works and retrospectives have been presented at many international film festivals.
Sunny Joseph (FTII), is an eminent cinematographer practicing across India. In fiction and non-fiction films, Sunny has worked with major directors in 65 feature films and an equal number of documentaries and short films. His fiction films include Piravi, Vasthuhara, Nizhalkuthu, Mangamma, Sanabi, Janala, Train to Pakistan, Kahini and Chotti Motti Batein. Sunny’s documentary films include Sahaja, Bharatanatyam (Aravindan), Robot Jockey (Miriam Chandy), Ayurveda (Pan Nalin, Natasha Betak), Goddesses (Leena Manimekalai), Walls & The Tiger (Sushma Kallam), Bimba Pratibimba (Girish Kasaravalli), Saksharatha (Bina Paul), and Light Up The Sky (Anita Pratap). He is a former Chairman and General Secretary of the Indian Society of Cinematographers and is currently the ISC Treasurer.
June 20,2024
2.00 PM
3.00 PM
"From Script to Screen: The Challenges and Triumphs of International Co-Production" digs into the intricate process of working across borders to bring a film from screenplay to screen.
June 20, 2024, 2.00 PM - 3.00 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderator - Arfi Lamba
“From Script to Screen: The Challenges and Triumphs of International Co-Production” digs into the intricate process of working across borders to bring a film from screenplay to screen. The speakers delve into the complexities and obstacles encountered in foreign co-productions, such as overcoming cultural differences, legal laws, and logistical issues. Despite these challenges, the speakers emphasize the benefits of collaboration, such as access to a varied talent pool, finance options, and worldwide distribution channels. Through case studies and professional views, the session provides significant lessons for filmmakers looking to begin on successful international co-production endeavors.
World recognised documentaries and Padmashree award in 2016
Nilamadhab Panda, a visionary filmmaker and storyteller, garnered him prestigious accolades, including the Padma Shri in 2016 and a D.Litt. Honoris Causa from Utkal University of culture in 2018. His debut feature, “I am Kalam” (2010), achieved international acclaim, winning 34 awards and a national accolade. Continuing his cinematic odyssey, Panda’s subsequent films such as “Jalpari,” “Kaun Kitney Paani Mein,” and “Kadvi Hawa ” solidify his reputation as a socially conscious filmmaker. Through poignant narratives, he sheds light on pressing issues like water scarcity, climate change, and environmental degradation.
“Kalira Atita,” Panda’s recent work, delves into the repercussions of climate change on India’s east coast, earning praise at international festivals and receiving numerous awards. His commitment to activism is evident as he seamlessly intertwines storytelling with social advocacy, evident in his OTT show “The Jengaburu Curse” on Sony Liv.He founded the International Screenwriters Lab in 2008, 2010, and 2012, nurturing quality scripts for Asian cinema.
JS Films
Prithul Kumar, is presently JS (Broadcasting II) ; MD, NFDC, Ministry of I&B.He is a Civil Servant of 2000 batch of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) Officer.He has held various assignments in the Ministry of Railways handling diverse areas,viz. Operations, Marketing, Infrastructure, IT ; Safety. In 2008, he had been deputed for the challenging assignment of setting up train operations for the inauguration of Railways in Kashmir Valley and in 2019, for expediting Dedicated freight corridors ; High speed Railway projects.
He worked in Ministry of Mines from 2013-19, where he spearheaded several path breaking initiatives such as – implementation of the transformational ‘auction’ mechanism for bringing transparency mining lease allotments in the country, instituting sustainability framework in mining by starting ‘Star Rating’ of Mines, preventing illegal mining using satellite technology by getting a ‘Mining Surveillance System’ developed. He spearheaded in protected country’s interests in an ‘International Arbitration’ case under Bilateral Investment Treaty, which is one of the cases to be decided in favour of India.
During his current tenue in the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, he has been contributing immensely for the growth of the film sector. He has been involved intensively in merger the Film Units to strengthen the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC),which was completed within the timelines. He played key role in the formulation and enactment of the amendment to the Cinematograph Act in 2023, which was amended after 40 years to incorporate the changes in technology and societal norms.
It is a key legislation to comprehensively prevent film piracy,aims to address the issues relating to film certification.He was the member secretary of the AVGC Task force and is involved in carrying forward the recommendations by instituting policy environment for the growth of the AVGC sector. He was the Festival Director of the 54 th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), 2023 ,Market Director of the 17 th Film Bazaar, 2023 in November, 2023.
This edition of IFFI, FB were widely applauded by the International Film fraternity, with record number of international film entries to the tune of 3 times. The success of the festival reflected in its outreach growing 30 times more than its last edition. He had also organised Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) Film Festival in Jan 2023 in Mumbai. In free time, he likes to watch movies and play outdoor games like squash, badminton, cricket.
Film Consultant, Programmer and Producer based in France
Golda Sellam, a film consultant, programmer and producer based in France, is known for The Velvet Gentleman, La gueule du loup (2016) and Doobie (2020). She is an expert of the European Commission and the ministry of foreign affairs France.She is also a consultant in chief for Co production and finance.
President, Documentary Resource initiative.
Nilotpal Majumdar is the president of Documentary Resource Initiative. He is the one behind ‘DocEdge’ He did a postgraduate diploma in cinema with specialisation in editing from Film & Television Institute of India. He has served the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute as its Dean. He was also the director of the Manipur State Film and Television Institute in Imphal. Nilotpal has been a jury member at the prestigious International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA), Israel’s Docaviv, Korea’s DMZ Doc Funds and many more.
Vrunda Manohar Desai is an officer of 2003 batch of Indian Revenue Service and presently posted as Joint Secretary Films. She has a multifaceted personality and her interests are diverse. She is an Electronics Engineer and has completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in
Hindustani Classical Vocal .She has been instrumental in publishing a brochure on “Handicrafts of Tharu Tribes” which provided a fillip to the promotion of arts and crafts of Lakhimpur Kheri district. Vrunda has also bagged gold medals in 25m Sports Pistol and 10m Air Pistol events at Indian Revenue Open Shooting Competition in Departmental Female category and also won Gold medals for IT department in Carrom tournaments at Sub National level. She is committed to the growth of Media and Entertainment Industry in India.
General Director, National Film Studio Belarus
General Director of the National Film Studio Belarusfilm UE – Born on August 27, 1973 in Belarus.Graduated from the Belarusian Commercial Institute of Management; Grodno State Agrarian University; Academy of Management under the President of the Republic of Belarus. He worked as the first secretary of the Grodno regional committee of the public association “Belarusian Republican Youth Union”, director of the UE “Grodnooblkinovideoprokat”.
From 2012 to 2016 he was a member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus*; Currently, he is again a member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus.
* Upper House of the Parliament of the Republic of Belarus/
Actor
Arfi Laamba is a trained actor with a couple of successful bollywood films under his belt and is the producer/co-producer of some critically acclaimed feature and short films. Arfi co-founded Bombay Berlin Film Productions (BBFP), an Indo-German film production house based in Mumbai and Berlin. Its filmography includes the Indian/Marathi production Radius-Trijya, by Akshay Indikar, which had its world premiere at the Shanghai International film festival and went on to compete in Tallinn Black Nights, Dhaka International Film Festival and many others.The film was nominated for three ANTA awards and won National Award and State Award for Sound Design. Its maiden Production, Loev, by Sudhanshu Saria, was one of the first films that Netflix licensed from India for a 180 countries worldwide release for 5 years.
The film had its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights and went to many prestigious festivals like South By SouthWest, BFI Flare, Jeonju etc. The Road to Mandalay, directed by Midi Z, where they were German Co-Producers, won the Fedeora award at Venice 2016 and competed in many festivals like TIFF, Tokyo, Busan etc and wa released in 30 countries.Their latest short, Muhafiz, by Pradipta Ray, opened at BFI Flare and was nominated for BAFTA qualifying IRIS Prize film festival.Presently, their short, Murakh (The Idiot) is playing at Jio Cinemas and Trijya is on Mubi. The company is working on two international co-productions, topilining some acclaimed cast (August Diehl) and crew and is also developing two series with two reputed platforms.
12.00 Noon
01.00 PM
"Dissemination of Shorts: Penetration, Reach, and Exposure" investigates the tactics and issues associated with disseminating short films to viewers.
June 20, 2024, 12.00 Noon - 01.00 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderator - Carter Pilcher
“Dissemination of Shorts: Penetration, Reach, and Exposure” investigates the tactics and issues associated with disseminating short films to viewers. The speakers investigate strategies for increasing the penetration, reach, and visibility of short films across several platforms and channels. They discuss the necessity of using digital platforms, film festivals, and social media to increase the visibility of short films, allowing filmmakers to interact with a larger audience and fulfill their artistic aims.
CEO Pocket Films
Saameer Mody, is an Indian businessman with 30+ years of business experience. He is the founder and managing director of Pocket Films. Pocket Films is India’s leading distributor of short films and the No. 1 partner channel for YouTube in India for such content. Pocket Films is the de-facto destination for creators of short films to gain exposure and generate revenue through its distribution and syndication activities across platforms eg. Facebook, Jio Cinemas, Amazon (US & UK), MX Player, Vodafone, etc.
Taking their distribution a step further, Pocket Films is launching its own OTT Platform focused on short films.Saameer has leveraged his experience and guided Pocket Films into related verticals including production of eclectic short films and web-series. Pocket Films is also the leader for short films contests in India with over 45+ such events. Many of these are in association with international film festivals.
Head Berlinale Shorts
Anna Henckel-Donnersmarck is a filmmaker, video artist and film curator. Since 2019 she is head of Berlinale Shorts, the official competition for short films at the Berlinale.She creates video projections for theater, opera, dance and music concerts as well as video installations for exhibitions and museums. She teaches at film schools and has been working for film festivals as programmer, moderator or member of the jury for more than 20 years now.
A renowned short film and documentary filmmaker represented nagaland and northeast representation at Cannes.
Born in the hilly town of Kohima, Nagaland, India, Vikeyeno Zao belongs to the Angami Naga tribe. Experienced in broadcasting, she has hosted and produced various radio programs for All India Radio, Kohima, and Vividh Bharati, New Delhi. Zao has directed numerous documentaries and telefilms on the nature, environment, and social aspects of tribes in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
She is best known for her short films and documentaries focusing on preserving indigenous cultures and traditions. One of her most notable works is “Last of the Tattooed Headhunters,” which delves into the ritualistic headhunting practices of the Konyaks, aiming to preserve and showcase their rich cultural heritage was featured at the 63rd Cannes International Film Festival in 2010, highlighting her ability to bring indigenous stories to a global audience by exploring the headhunting rituals and tattooing practices of the Konyak tribe before the original tattooed headhunters are gone forever. This has been selected in the short film corner category of the festival. This short film shows the hunting practices of the Konyak Nagas, their home, customs and traditions which was prevalent till the 20th century.
In 2011, her film “These Land We Called Our Home” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. This documentary explores the intricate relationship between elephants and the communities in Northeast India. The film highlights the cultural and environmental significance of elephants in the region, focusing on the challenges of conservation amidst modern pressures. Zao captures the majestic presence of elephants and the efforts to protect their natural habitat, shedding light on the deep bond between the forest and these gentle giants. The documentary aims to raise awareness about the need for sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife. She also directed and produced a 26-episode adventure game show, “The Mountain Warriors,” for Arunprabha, Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan, New Delhi (2019-2020).
CEO- Media Entertainment and Skill Council. With over two decades of extensive experience in building start-ups, fundraising, strategic alliances, business development, international collaborations and a range of other areas, Mohit Soni has been instrumental in establishing some of the finest brands we know in the media sector.Mohit started his career in the media industry as a graphic designer and established his first production studio at the age of 18 years. Strong educational background, including training from ISB, Hyderabad, and PGDBM from Symbiosis Pune, complemented by extensive industry expertise and hands-on experience in marketing and business development.
Acknowledged as the youngest CEO heading one of the largest Media Training Venture, Mohit is presently spearheading Media & Entertainment Skills Council as a Chief Executive Officer.
Taking forward the vision of our Honorable Prime Minister to make India the Skill Capital of the World, Mohit is working towards developing the national standards for creating skilled workforce matching the global requirements.
Understanding the potential of the media and entertainment industry and it’s contribution towards the economy, Mohit is dedicated to building a long-term relationship with his partners and always looks to identify and groom potential talent. He also aims to develop international partnerships with other countries to promote the exchange of ideas and knowledge, with the ultimate aim of creating a strong and sustainable industry.
A graduate of the prestigious FTII Pune, Pankaj Saxena is an awarded film maker, global traveller, published writer, cinema academic and lifelong student of screen arts. He has held senior positions at Discovery Channel, BBC Worldwide and Lok Sabha TV among others. Pankaj enjoys spreading the joy of cinema through organizing film festivals, leading film appreciation programmes and conducting cinema-oriented conversations across India and the world.
10.30 AM
11.30 AM
‘Master Class on Editing -Shaping Characters’ provides a thorough examination crafting the characters through the technique and practice of film editing.
June 20, 2024, 10.30 AM - 11.30 AM
Masterclass
Moderator - Anchor
‘Master Class on Editing -Shaping Characters’ provides a thorough examination crafting the characters through the technique and practice of film editing. Through experienced coaching and hands-on demonstrations, participants learn about the intricacies of editing processes, narrative principles, and the importance of editing in the creation of cinematic stories. This masterclass will provide aspiring editors with the information and skills required to construct engaging storylines, govern pacing, and evoke powerful emotions from viewers via the smart use of material.
An Award Winning Film Editor with 30 years of Experience.
Ollie Huddleston is an award-winning film editor with 30 years of experience working in TV and cinema documentaries. He has been nominated twice for a BAFTA and has won two Royal Television Society awards for Editing. The films ‘Sisters in Law’, ‘Hold Me Tight’, ‘Let me go’, ‘The Liberace of Baghdad’, ‘Rough Aunties’ and ‘Dreamcatcher’ received prizes all over the world, including at Cannes, IDFA and Sundance film festivals.
03.15 PM
04.15 PM
This session explore how the filmmaker Mr. Jiri Trnka who is known as the ‘The Walt Disney of Eastern Europe’ was able to exploit the potentials and limits of traditional Czech theater puppets, from a cinematographic perspective, by making them a unique and powerful form of language, which still remains a major influence in contemporary Eastern European animation.
June 20, 2024, 03.15 PM - 04.15 PM
Moderator - Anchor
This session explore how the filmmaker Mr. Jiri Trnka who is known as the ‘The Walt Disney of Eastern Europe’ was able to exploit the potentials and limits of traditional Czech theater puppets, from a cinematographic perspective, by making them a unique and powerful form of language, which still remains a major influence in contemporary Eastern European animation.’ He is renowned for his short films and animation films where he made it into the Cannes Short Film of the year of Zviratka a Petrovsti in 1946 itself!!
An Ethnologist by Training.
Olivier Catherin is an ethnologist by training. He worked for the French Animation Film Association and created the International Animation Day for the ASIFA. In 2008 he created the production company “Les Trois Ours”. From 2015 to 2018 he oversaw the animation sector for the Hauts-de-France region and is now a freelance producer and animation consultant. He won two César and one European Film Award. He’s also teaching animation production.
4.30 PM
6.00 PM
Experience the Stanislavski System’s approach in acting education through this Masterclass, structured in three engaging acts
June 20, 2024, 4.30 PM - 6.00 PM
Acting Workshop
Speaker : Fabrice Carrey
Experience the Stanislavski System’s approach in acting education through this
Masterclass, structured in three engaging acts:
Theoretical Insight (45 min): Dive into Stanislavski’s life, his artistic breakthroughs, and the
foundations of his method, illuminated by his exchanges with Nemirovich-Danchenko and
Antone Chekhov. Interactive Practice (30 min): Engage in exercises that demonstrate the
system’s application and the training of Eastern European actors. Open Dialogue (15 min): A
Q&A session to deepen understanding and mastery of the system.
Fabrice Carrey, the artistic director at the heart of the Franco-Belarusian association Demain le Printemps TEATRO, has been fostering cultural exchange and theatrical education since 1994, utilizing the Stanislavski system. His vision has strengthened ties between French and Belarusian artistic communities, enriching theatrical culture and promoting Francophonie. Under his leadership, the school offers intensive training, unveiling talent through workshops and international master classes, contributing significantly to the global arts landscape.
June 16,2024
10:30 AM
11:30 AM
This topic investigates methods for funding and benefiting from documentary productions. The speakers will share information about grants, crowdsourcing, collaborations, television arrangements, film festivals, and direct distribution. These strategies enable filmmakers to fund their productions and reach a larger audience with their captivating stories.
June 16, 2024, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Panel Discussion
Moderator
This topic investigates methods for funding and benefiting from documentary productions. The speakers will share information about grants, crowdsourcing, collaborations, television arrangements, film festivals, and direct distribution. These strategies enable filmmakers to fund their productions and reach a larger audience with their captivating stories.
Serving MUBI as the Programming Director of Asia-Pacific region, curating content for the platform.
Svetlana Naudiyal has been serving MUBI as the Programming Director of Asia-Pacific region, curating content for the platform. Svetlana has a rich background in cinema, content, and curation. She has worked previously in different capacities for NFDC, MAMI, Drishyam Films to name a few.
Senior Media Executive
Arun Thapar is a senior media executive with a career spanning nearly three decades, leading all things content with top media brands. He has rich experience in content strategy, IP creation, production, commissioning, curation, customization, aggregation, and management.
As commissioner and executive producer for multiple award-winning shows, Arun has been responsible for significantly enriching Indian factual entertainment, with hundreds of hours of Indian documentary and unscripted originals across varied sub-genres, available on TV and digital platforms. He is passionate about collaborating with creative partners, to bring great stories to life and is excited about the future and new possibilities.
Chief Operating Officer of DocuBay.
Girish Dwibhashyam is presently the Chief Operating Officer of DocuBay, operating one of the world’s leading documentary streaming services, headquartered in Mumbai, since its launch in 2019.
DocuBay features documentaries commissioned, aggregated from some of the best non fiction content distributors and producers in the world. It has users from more than 150 countries accessing its service through direct to consumer means and various platforms, operators like Amazon Prime Video Channels, Apple TV, Fire TV, Airtel, Jio, Swisscom, Vodafone, Ooredoo and more.
He Graduated St. Petersburg State University (Russia) in 1999 with the major in Economics. In 2003 received a master’s degree in international finance and business from Columbia University (USA). Since 2018 worked on the various positions Moscow government. Since April 2023 is involved on the project of the Moscow Movie Cluster. Founder of film.moscow and i.moscow. In the Moscow Movie Cluster is responsible for digital business processes, Moskino cinema chain, and overall strategy of the movie cluster.
A well known Lifeographer Launched TAKSHILA MULTIMEDIA
Rajni Acharya, a well known Lifeographer Launched TAKSHILA MULTIMEDIA in the year 1995, with a vision to venture in Multimedia in order to utilize his experience and expertise in the satellite & television while working with ATN TV Channel. Rajni Achatya has its own YouTube channel, called “Takshila Multimedia Live”. Takshila Multimedia is proud to have a rich library of TV shows, Short films and documentaries, produced & directed by Rajni Acharya.
12.00 Noon
01.00 PM
"Unveiling the Animation Frontier: Developing Intellectual Property via Animation Films'' investigates the process of developing intellectual property using animated films.
June 16, 2024, 12.00 Noon - 01.00 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderator - Ashish Kulkarni
“Unveiling the Animation Frontier: Developing Intellectual Property via Animation Films” investigates the process of developing intellectual property using animated films. It investigates the possibilities of animation as a medium for creating distinctive and commercial content by analysing the films like Ayalaan and Chhota Bheem. The session will examine numerous tactics and ways for using animation’s creative potential to develop valuable intellectual property.
CEO of Phantom FX Studios, VFX Director Ayalaan, a completely made in India animation film
Bejoy Arputharaj is the Founder and CEO at PhantomFx. He is the VFX director of Ayalaan. Bejoy has worked in more than 300 movies. And have worked in many prominent blockbuster movies like Baahubali and RRR and expertise in the digital film production pipeline has made PhantomFx a successful VFX Studio, with more than 700 employees working phantom is headquartered in Chennai, with offices in Mumbai , Hyderabad, Los Angeles, Vancouver Dubai and London. Bejoy’s success continues by recently acquiring a Multiple times Oscar winning Hollywood VFX Studio Tippett VFX.
CEO Green Gold Animations, Chhota bheem)
Sitarama Rajiv Chilakalapudi is the founder and CEO of Hyderabad-based Green Gold Animations and the creator of a few cartoons including Krishna cartoon series and Chhota Bheem which has now been made into an animated series and films. For his work in presenting cartoons at affordable price, Chilaka was conferred with an honorary doctorate of humane letters by the Academy of Art University, San Francisco in 2016. He was the recipient of the 2013 School of Computing and Engineering Alumni Achievement Award at the University of Missouri – Kansas City.
Legal IPR
Anamika, a leading media and entertainment lawyer, is known for her knack for crafting exceptional media and entertainment agreements. she is the founder of the legal website “Attorney for Creators” Her portfolio boasts co-production agreements, artist and producer collaborations, distribution deals, and writing partnerships, just to name a few. She has even squared off with some heavy hitters in the industry, defending creators’ interests in contracts with giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sony Liv, Dharma Productions, Sunshine Production Company, Sa Re Ga Ma, and the list goes on!
Naman Ramachandran is International Correspondent at Variety, specialising in South and Southeast Asia and the U.K.. Naman’s work as an author includes “Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography” (Penguin), “Lights, Camera, Masala: Making Movies In Mumbai” (IBH) and chapters in “Rough Guide To Film” (Rough Guides), “Movies: From The Silent Classics Of The Silver Screen To The Digital and 3D Era” (Universe) and “Movie Star Chronicles: A Visual History of 320 of the World’s Greatest Movie Stars” (Peregrine). He has previously worked with the British Film Institute, Cineuropa, HBO Asia and MTV India. He is a BAFTA member and is based in London.
Ashish S K embarked on his journey in the field of arts and media in 1985.
Ashish S K embarked on his journey in the field of arts and media in 1985, and since has immersed himself in the pursuit of conceiving sustainable careers in film, animation, visual effects, gaming, visual arts, and graphic design in India. At this early stage,Ashish S K jumpstarted the sprouting of the animation industry in India by facilitating outsourcing projects in the country with animation giants such as Disney, Warner Bros., Sony And Dreamworks.During this stage, Ashish S K produced ad films for All Out, Flying Machine, Max Candy & Max Ice cream for HLL, Nestle, Veneta Cucine and Kelloggs. Ashish S K, has created the SKILL INDIA logo. He has also created the promotional films for Jan Dhan Yogana, Skill India, Maharashtra Tourism, National Environmental Engineering Research Institute to name a few.
Ashish S K, has been appointed on the Indian Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics TASK FORCE recently formed by Government of India under the Information & Broadcasting Ministry. Ashish S K, has been appointed by Madhya Pradesh Government as an Expert and Creative advisor to its unique project at Omkareshwar on Adi Shankaracharya Museum and a full length feature film on life and times of Acharya Shankar. The Omkareshwar project also has Advait Vedanta International Research Institute and Gurukul.
4.30 Noon
5.30 PM
GoPro cameras have been game changers in the realm of action cameras, revolutionizing short-form video content and enhancing vlogging and blogging with engaging visuals that retain viewers on YouTube.
June 16, 2024, 4.30 Noon - 5.30 PM
In Conversation Panel
Moderator : Vani Tripathi Tikoo
GoPro cameras have been game changers in the realm of action cameras, revolutionizing short-form video content and enhancing vlogging and blogging with engaging visuals that retain viewers on YouTube. Learning how and where to use GoPros can significantly enhance content quality, leading to increased revenue through YouTube monetization. YouTube supports creators who create content with more retention and gives these creators more exposure through YouTube’s way of pushing the content like suggestions, home page suggestions, and next ups. This session of “GoPro and YouTube” explores the opportunities of using GoPros for YouTube content and also exploring the possiblities of monetisation of contents and the vast opportunities youtube is offering. The session which is high in content ,creativity and technology will have it’s might to it’s zenith when it is being moderated by the stalwart Ms. Vani Tripathi Tikoo!
Director of Marketing and Communications for GoPro
Yatish Suvarna is the Director of Marketing and Communications for GoPro India,blending his lifelong passion for tech and storytelling with his role at his dream company. With over 25 years of industry experience, Yatish has been at the forefront of India tech revolution, as a tech journalist, contributing to many firsts: the first tech magazine, the first tech page in a leading newspaper, and the first tech TV show. A GoPro fan from the get-go, he is thrilled to be championing a brand that mirrors his love for authentic photography and videography. Yatish is dedicated to empowering a vibrant community of GoPro enthusiasts across India, inspiring them to push creative boundaries and capture the world in fresh, innovative ways
Rizza Alee a 22-year-old athlete and adventure filmmaker from a village in Baramulla district in Kashmir who says snowboarding changed his life. Alee was introduced to the sport five years ago, during a day trip with his cousins to Gulmarg. “It was love at first glide,” he says. His love for snowboarding is equaled by his love of storytelling and filmmaking. Alee is rapidly making a mark on the international film scene and placing Kashmir in the global media market. IT IS THIS (است همین (won the prestigious Audience Award in a recent film festival in New York City.
Yash Rane is a chef turned photographer renowned for his soulful photography. With a passion for capturing the essence of life, Yash has traveled the globe, working on projects for major brands, including GoPro. Since GoPro& entry into India, he has been an integral member of the GoPro family. Yash & journey from the kitchen to behind the lens is a testament to his creative versatility and dedication to storytelling. His work continues to inspire and connect people, making him a sought-after photographer in the industry.
Mr. Vijay Koshy, President of The Viral Fever (TVF), is a digital content visionary with over two decades of leadership experience in top agencies like Enterprise, Trikaya Grey, Lintas, and JWT Fulcrum. He pioneered monetization models for major Indian media brands including Star TV, Sony, and ESPN. Instrumental in TVF’s rise, he established it as a leading destination for branded content, from web series to mini-snackable content. Mr.Koshy’s expertise has solidified TVF’s position as India’s premier OTT content creation brand, setting new standards in the industry.
YouTube Creator
Sai Teja is a multitalented 23 year young achiever from Hyderabad who is a writer, director, actor and dubbing artist. His YouTube channel Tej India has accrued a massive 5 Million subscribers. His content is largely fiction content made for youth audiences. Sai Teja and his gang are popularly known as ‘backbenchers’. Their ‘Backbenchers’ series on YouTube has garnered over 200 million views.
Head - Movie Content Partnerships, YouTube
Namrata works with movie studios, media companies and content creators to grow their presence on YouTube, improve their monetization and increase their viewership. Prior to Google, Namrata worked in the music industry in the US and India on content licensing and copyright management and is passionate about all things at the intersection of tech and media.
Vani Tripathi Tikoo, an Actor and a producer by profession is one of the youngest ever member of the Central Board of Film certification popularly known as “censor board”. Shes been a socio political acrivist and her campaigns and outreach programmes have focused on encouraging women’s participation in politics and bringing the youth to a universal platform that addresses issues including education, empowerment and employment. She has been
closely involved in theatre, films and television, having worked in projects in India as well as abroad. As an actor, she has about 50 plays, 40-odd TV serials and six films to her credit. She has worked in plays by legends like Anton Chekov, Peter Shaffer, Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams and several Indian playwrights. After graduating in political science from the Delhi University, she went to the Living theatre academy of drama and learnt acting under the guidance of the legendary theatre guru Ebrahim Alkazi.Her close links with theatre further manifesting in her founding country’s first state run drama school in bhopal– MADHYA PRADESH NATYA VIDYALAYA – in Madhya Pradesh in 2011An extremely talented individual, Vani was also attached to journalism and broadcasting in India – she continues to contribute in Indian newspapers from time to time. She currently writes on issues ralated to broadcasting and content creation and was a part of the Core steering committe for the International Film festival of India,goa(IFFI) since the past eight years.She represented the country at the Cannes film festival 2022 with the likes of AR RAHMAN, SHEKHAR KAPUR, NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI and the Union minister for information and broadcasting Shri Anurag Singh thakur.And she recently authored her first book “Why can’t elephants be red?” which is making waves globally
5:30 pm
6.30 pm
Dive deep into the world of "Poacher" with writer, director, creator Richie Mehta as he unravels the journey from script to screen, revealing the treatment and his unique style of storytelling.
June 16, 2024, 5:30 pm - 6.30 pm
In Conversation
Speaker : Richie Mehta
Dive deep into the world of “Poacher” with writer, director, creator Richie Mehta as he unravels the journey from script to screen, revealing the treatment and his unique style of storytelling. This fictionalized wildlife crime drama uncovers the truth behind the largest ivory poaching ring in the history of India.
Richie Mehta, is an Emmy-Award winning director, creator, writer and an executive producer. Mehta’s first feature film, ‘Amal’ (2013), starred Naseeruddin Shah, Roshan Seth, and Seema Biswas. The film won over 30 international awards, was nominated for 6 Genie awards, including Best Picture, Director, and Adapted Screenplay, and was named one of the top ten Canadian films of the decade by Canadian trade magazine Playback. He then wrote and directed ‘I’ll Follow You Down’ (2013), a sci-fi drama starring Gillian Anderson, Rufus Sewell, and Victor Garber, and ‘Siddharth’ (2013), a Hindi-language film that premiered at the Venice Film Festival. Siddharth received over 25 International Awards, and was shortlisted for best foreign language film at the 2015 Golden Globe Awards.
Mehta then directed the feature documentary ‘India in a Day’ (2016), tracking a day in the life of India, and produced by Ridley Scott, and an episode of the Apple TV+ anthology series ‘Extrapolations’ (2023), as well as his 8-part series on wildlife crime, airing in 2024 on Amazon Prime Video, titled ‘Poacher’ (2024). Mehta recently created, wrote, and directed the 7-part series ‘Delhi Crime’ (2019), revolving around the Delhi Police’s investigation of the infamous gang-rape of a young medical student on a bus in 2012. The series garnered widespread critical acclaim, won several awards – including India’s first International Emmy for Best Drama Series, and the Asian Academy Award for Best Drama Series and Best Director.
Rohini Ramnathan is an internationally acclaimed radio personality with almost 2 decades of on-air experience across two countries, India and
Singapore. The first Indian to win two top honors at the Mediacorp Radio Awards in 2013, Rohini came back to India in 2016 to launch India’s coolest
retro station, Radio Nasha. Building digital scapes for content and designing larger than life movie experiences have been her forte. She now leads Radio Nasha India and hosts India’s biggest film show on Fever FM, Just Too Filmy. Rohini also hosts her own chat show, Bol Baby Bol on India’s premiere film journalism channel Film Companion. When she isn’t on the radio, you can find her acting in the movies (Gully Boy), or hosting Shahrukh Khan’s birthday party or performing in the theatre in Mumbai. She has been awarded the first ‘Queero’ award from India’s LGBTQi community for her undying championing towards the cause of equality in 2017.
3.45 PM
4.45 PM
The panel discussion focuses on exploring narratives surrounding social innovation.Handpicked by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister's Office and MIB, these innovators are central to our collaborative initiative.
June 16, 2024, 3.45 PM - 4.45 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderator : Aditya Kutty
The panel discussion focuses on exploring narratives surrounding social innovation. Handpicked by the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Prime Minister’s Office and MIB, these innovators are central to our collaborative initiative. Through captivating storytelling techniques blending animation and live-action, skillfully narrated by Raj Kumar Rao, we present the impactful journeys of these changemakers. Join us for a dynamic discussion highlighting the diverse stories of Indian creators who have redefined creativity and innovation. Delve into the personal journeys of these innovators, exploring how they navigated challenges, embraced creativity, and transcended boundaries to bring their ideas to life. From breaking gender norms to overcoming societal barriers, the panelists
will share insights and experiences, inspiring others to pursue their passions and make a lasting impact.
The Intersection of Gender and Creativity, Overcoming Challenges in Innovation, Inspiring Stories of Indian Creators, Redefining Success in the Creative Industry
Director of Strategic Alliance, PSA
Dr. Poti, a PhD from IIT Madras, has 30 years of experience in scientific research and development in India. She architected Manthan, a collaborative platform awarded by Dun & Bradstreet in 2022 and showcased at the World Governments Summit 2024. Dr. Poti is a Chevening Awardee, received the Swedish Government’s Leadership Fellowship 2023, and was featured by Forbes for Women Leaders.
Her previous roles include positions with the National Skill Development Corporation and Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs.
Managing Director and co-founder of Mylab Discovery Solutions
Hasmukh Rawal is the Managing Director and Co-founder of Mylab Discovery Solutions, spearheading innovations to make quality diagnostics accessible and affordable to all. Under his leadership, Mylab became the first in Asia to develop FDA-approved ID-NAT kits and launched India’s first RT-PCR test for COVID-19. His efforts have earned the company numerous prestigious awards, including the National Technology Awards and ET Start-up Award.
Cofounder Angirus
Lokesh P. Goswami is the co-founder and CTO of Angirus, holding a B.Tech in Civil Engineering. With over five years of field and technical experience, Lokesh specializes in material science and green technology. His expertise is pivotal in developing Angirus’s sustainable building materials, ensuring they meet high standards of strength and durability. Lokesh’s innovative work has significantly
advanced Angirus’s vision, transforming waste into valuable resources. He is committed to driving sustainable development and has been recognized for his contributions to the field, showcasing Angirus’s innovations on national and international platforms.
Cofounder Angirus
Kunjpreet Arora is a civil engineer and co-founder at Angirus who is deeply passionate about sustainable solutions. This passion led to the invention of “Wricks,” a sustainable alternative to clay bricks or cementitious blocks. With over 3 years of experience in business development, marketing, and sales at Angirus, she has been instrumental in driving the company’s mission forward. Kunjpreet has
represented Angirus on global platforms such as the World Economic Forum, Tie Globals, and the Clinton Global Initiative. Her work has been featured in Yunus Social Business, EU Switch Asia, Forbes India, and CGTN.
Founder and CEO, Aaharan
Amit Ghosh is the founder of aAHARAN EduSMART Pvt. Ltd., a company dedicated to providing e-learning services in local languages for students in Northeast India. Before starting aAHARAN, Amit was the District Coordinator for the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) with the Rural Development Department of the Government of Tripura, where he worked to improve rural livelihoods. He also has experience in academia, having been a faculty member at ICFAI University, Tripura, in 2014, where he taught management and development studies. Amit’s career shows his dedication to community development
Founder, TGS
Meghna Roy is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of The Good Stuff Studio (TGS), a creative agency. After working for a few years as a Senior Graphic Designer and then as Art Director for an advertising agency in Mumbai, Meghna, along with two of her friends who are also designers, decided to start TGS to give themselves free rein to explore their individual sense of design and build a new Indian aesthetic
Director, Corporate Legal, Netflix
Aditya is currently serving as the head of the litigation and regulatory function at Netflix as a Legal Director. He is a seasoned technology lawyer with experience in policy advocacy and regulatory matters.
2.00 PM
4.00 PM
Five days workshop on Animation software Blender and Basic Pipeline in the VFX and Gaming Industry. Blender has been a hit in the last ten years due to its photorealistic properties.
June 16 2024 to June 20 2024, 2.00 PM - 4.00 PM
Workshop (On Registrations only)
Speaker : Rahul Babu Kannikara
Five days workshop on Animation software Blender and Basic Pipeline in
the VFX and Gaming Industry. Blender has been a hit in the last ten years due to its
photorealistic properties.
Rahul Babu Kannikara is a Senior Gaming Animator at Warner Bros., based in Montreal, Canada. He excels in bringing characters and objects to life with intuitive movements and realistic expressions, using Unreal Engine, Autodesk Maya, Blender, Motionbuilder, and
3Ds Max. His strong grasp of anatomy, Cinematography, and Storytelling enables him to create visually stunning animations. A collaborative team player with excellent communication skills, Rahul is also a Certified Professional Photographer with over a decade of experience.
Some of his notable titles are :
Blair Witch
Resident Evil 7
Resident Evil 2 Remake
God of War
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance
Gowtham Knight(Batman)
June 17,2024
10:30 AM
11:30 AM
The session "Unlocking the Force: Using Documentary Films to Promote Social Transformation" delves into the potential of documentaries to act as a spark for social transformation.
June 17, 2024, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Moderator - D Ramakrishnan (GM NFDC)
The session “Unlocking the Force: Using Documentary Films to Promote Social Transformation” delves into the potential of documentaries to act as a spark for social transformation. The speakers will talk on the power of documentaries to change society by bringing issues to light, spurring action, and bringing about significant change. In the end, there will be arguments in favour of using documentaries as instruments for good social impact by highlighting their influence on public dialogue and developing empathy.
Veteran Filmmaker, Documentary specialist and 7 times National award winner)
Dr. Talakadu Srinivasaiah Nagabharana is an Indian film director, actor, producer in the Kannada film industry, television and theater. ”. He has been active for the past 40 years in films and has made 36 films in Kannada which have earned him 10 national awards, 23 State awards. He has the distinction of having 8 of his films selected for Indian Panorama in International Film Festivals. He is a renowned documentary filmmaker who has won world accolades. Many of his films were inspiration into many of the Bollywood films and all of them were hits like, Bajrangi Bhaijan (Kallaralli Hoovagi), Paheli (Nagamandala), 1942, A Love story (Mysore Mallige) etc
General Manager at NFDC (National Film Development Corporation).
D. Ramakrishnan, currently serving as the General Manager at NFDC (National Film Development Corporation) under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, boasts a robust educational background with an MSc in Computer Science and is presently pursuing his Ph.D. at Anna University, Chennai. With over 29 years of dedicated service at NFDC, Ramakrishnan has garnered extensive expertise across multiple domains, encompassing Production, Distribution, Media Planning, Film Restoration, Personnel & Administration, Skill Development, and International Film Festivals.
His wealth of experience underscores his invaluable contributions to the organization’s diverse operations, positioning him as a seasoned professional within the film and media industry. His contributions include managing digital transmission at Doordarshan, spearheading projects like the National Film Heritage Mission, and serving on boards at prestigious institutions. Actively involved in sailing associations and public service committees, Ramakrishnan is recognized for his commitment to the film industry, community, and government endeavors. He is also esteemed for his prowess as a presenter and interviewer.
12.00 Noon
01.00 PM
The session "Revealing Herstory: Investigating Women's Stories via Documentary Cinema" looks at how women's stories are portrayed in documentaries.
June 17, 2024, 12.00 Noon - 01.00 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderator - Queen Hazarika
The session “Revealing Herstory: Investigating Women’s Stories via Documentary Cinema” looks at how women’s stories are portrayed in documentaries. The speakers concentrate on how documentaries give people a way to learn about and celebrate women’s accomplishments, struggles, and experiences. The session highlights how crucial it is to give women’s views and viewpoints more prominence in cinema so that history and society are represented in a more inclusive and varied way.
69th National Award Winner Filmmaker
Srishti Lakhera is a documentary filmmaker from the Himalayan region of India. Her debut documentary feature, ‘Ek Tha Gaon’ Once Upon a Village, has won many awards, including the prestigious John Abraham Award(2022) and Best Film and Best Audiography at the 69th National Film Awards. She has directed and produced award-winning films for international organisations, grassroots organisations, government bodies, and national and international television, such as Channel News Asia. In recent years, Srishti has been drawn to accounts of digital anthropology and has started using interactive storytelling tools.
65th & 67th NFA Winner
Farha khatun is a filmmaker, editor from India. After receiving her professional training in editing from Kolkata’s Roopkala Kendro, she worked and travelled throughout India, understanding first-hand the everyday challenges of gender, patriarchy, religious and other forms of chauvinism. Through her documentaries, she articulates her beliefs. A poignant story about a trans footballer; one on a Muslim woman priest who challenges patriarchy; another on a lone, indigenous environmentalist in India’s north-eastern hills. Two-time recipient of the President of India’s “National Film Award for Best Documentary Film” (‘I am Bonnie’ and ‘Holy Rights’), her personal journey makes her focus increasingly on gender issues.
Docu Director/Producer/Author/ Member of 50-50 & CNC's Commission Image of Diversity
Isabelle Simeoni is an author, director, and producer of documentaries. She is a member of 50-50 and CNC commissioning Image of Diversity. She developed a strong passion for the arts, growing up in Corsica. Isabelle earned her Undergraduate B.A. in Art and Communication at SFCollege in New York, completed with creative writing for films at NYU. Convinced that culture is a powerful tool for change, she advocates to make the entertainment industry a more inclusive, gender fluid and socially equitable place for all marginalised communities.
Director, Writer, Actress and Model
Prerana Barbarooah is an Indian Director, Writer, Actress and Model. She has written and directed more than 50 Documentaries, Docu-Dramas, Feature Films, Short Films, TV Serials, Advertisements and Music Videos. Barbarooah has earned multiple prestigious accolades, the most notable being the National Film Award (2007) from the President of India Prathibha Devisingh Patil, Certificate of Merit for Outstanding Achievement in Creativity at the Mumbai IDPA Awards (2015), Youth Cultural Talent Award (2016) from Purbanchal Tai Sahitya Sabha and Prerana Award (2022) for her contribution in Assamese Cinema.
A versatile talent, has reigned as a prominent voice in the realm of documentary narration since 1996.
Queen Hazarika, a versatile talent, has reigned as a prominent voice in the realm of documentary narration since 1996. Beginning with renowned directors like M. Maniram and Johns Moholia, she has lent her voice to numerous award-winning documentaries aired on platforms like PPC, North East, and Doordarshan. Fluent in Assamese, Hindi, and English, she narrates with finesse, also extending her skills to advertisements. Hazarika’s acting journey, commencing in 2012, has showcased her prowess across various languages and mediums, from Assamese films like “Surjasta” to stage productions such as “Stage III Fighting.”
4:15 PM
5:00 PM
The director and DOP of ‘My Mercury’ discuss the issues brought into focus by this eco-psychological tale about a passionate conservationist who makes a cruel pact to save endangered seabirds from extinction on an inhospitable island, alone.
June 17, 2024, 4:15 PM - 5:00 PM
In Conversation
Moderator : Shankar Ramakrishnan
The director and DOP of ‘My Mercury’ discuss the issues brought into focus by this eco-psychological tale about a passionate conservationist who makes a cruel pact to save endangered seabirds from extinction on an inhospitable island, alone. Apart from describing the magnetic and metaphoric power of the story of Yves’ Mercury, and her thirty-year commitment to tell it, Director Joëlle Chesselet will bring the audience up to the present to illustrate the absolute reality of species’ extinction and the necessity of heeding warnings to prevent the further decline of the seabird populations of the South Atlantic. DOP Lloyd Ross will speak about the exhilarating challenge of filming, what Joëlle’s brother called “The holy mountain in the sea”.
Joëlle Chesselet, Director, Producer, Writer of “My Mercury” – Has garnered international awards for documentaries over the 3 decades during which
she was making My Mercury. Her directing and producing of "Ochre and Water – Himba chronicles from the Land of Kaoko” were honoured by the National Geographic Society. She is the recipient of the ‘Earthwatch Institute’ award for “thoughtful insight into the process of living that has helped people to broaden their horizons, and to more fully appreciate life on earth” (U.S.A). Her next feature documentary “Shifty – House on Fire” explores how musicians and songwriters expressed the zeitgeist, under the umbrella of an independent record label, with a diverse catalogue of artists that contributed to shifting mindsets, in the lead up to the death of official Apartheid.
Director – camera – editor – music producer
Lloyd Ross – Director – camera – editor – music producer. Founded Shifty Records in 1983, responsible for producing most of the protest music recorded in South Africa from then until the end of apartheid, featuring ground breaking artists of diverse backgrounds and genres with something to say. Went on to making music videos and in the mid 90’s, diversified into documentaries about music in general and later making films about just about everything else.
Amongst other things, made a number of films for al Jazeera English and completed a handful of award winning feature documentaries. Along the way winning Sarie, Asami & Sama awards for music, plus Editors Guild, Avanti, Safta and numerous international film festival awards for work in film.
Shankar Ramakrishnan – Writer/ Director/Producer/Actor. 22 years of creative career in Feature Films, Non-Fiction, Museum Installations and Literature. Wrote notable films like Urumi, Netholi our Cheriya Meenalla, Pathinettam Padi, Raani. Have been awarded as an actor for Spirit and Bavuttyude Namathil. Specialized in designing and executing audio visual and digital presentations for Museum galleries and creating narratives in spatial layoutsCreative Director
and Design Head for EK Nayanar Memorial Museum, Kannur and St.Kuriakose Elias Chavara Living Museum, Mannanam, Kottayam. ALSO Research and Development: Gen AI Based Museum Installations. Executive member of Kerala State Chalachithra Academy, Department of Cultural Affairs – Government of Kerala.Conducts Master class on the theme “Digital Transition in Cinema: Composition and Discourse“
5:15 PM
6:00 PM
Global eyes on India - How Indian stories are headed towards global relevance. Explore the impact of rich cultural narratives, diverse perspectives, and unique storytelling techniques that resonate with audiences worldwide.
5:15 -6:00 PM
Mayank Shekhar (Journalist)
Global eyes on India – How Indian stories are headed towards global relevance. Explore the
impact of rich cultural narratives, diverse perspectives, and unique storytelling techniques that
resonate with audiences worldwide. Discover how Indian literature, cinema, and art are
breaking boundaries and creating a global cultural footprint.
Director
Daniela Völker a German and Argentine documentary Producer/Director based in London who has made films for Netflix, CNN, PBS, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, National Geographic, ZDF, France5, on subjects as varied as the current war in Ukraine, the Sicilian mafia, the aftermath of Rwandan genocide, law and order in Mexico, the practice of ‘bride stealing’ in Kyrgyzstan and the collapse of the Argentine economy. Daniela specialises in complex narratives and access-driven, character-led films; ‘The ommandant’s Shadow’, is a feature-length documentary about the son of the Commandant of Auschwitz and his son, a survivor and her daughter and the long shadow traumatic events in the past cast down the generations. It took her four years to make and will, she hopes, add to our
understanding of the Holocaust and its impact.
Executive Producer
Wendy is the Executive Producer of The Commandant’s Shadow. She worked for 20 years as a BBC journalist and presenter and specialises in bringing intimate observational documentaries to a wide audience, with sensitivity, warmth, and humour. Over the past three decades, she has conceived, developed and executive produced a line-up of stand-out, challenging films across a variety of platforms. From the British Royal Family to US prisons, assisted suicide to ballroom dancing, she has worked across many genres, covering news, current affairs, documentaries, and entertainment. Career highlights include getting an innocent man off death row in the US, a guilty man jailed in the UK for selling passports for sex, interviewing 5 Royals and 2 former Prime Ministers and winning a Royal Television Society Award for her portrayal of life in London’s Mayfair. She also memorably tracked down Saddam Hussein’s hilarious barber, who had a story or two to tell, and had her early career on The Sunday Times immortalized on screen by actress Celia Meiras in the BBC drama-doc Nuclear Secrets. The Nuclear Secrets film depicted Wendy’s role as a 21 Jewish intern, who was asked to work on the story of Mordechai Vanunu, who arrived at the newspaper’s offices on her first day. She has also worked as a commissioning editor in BBC History, and produced and reported a BBC World Service series on anti-semitism and Holocaust denial. She had her own mini-series on the BBC’s popular The One Show, in which she interviewed people who had made huge ethical or moral decisions, and for BBC Radio she presented the critically acclaimed The House I Grew Up In, in which she took high profile figures back to their childhood homes to explore the forces that had shaped them.
Founder, Creativeland Studios
Sajan Raj Kurup, is a creative entrepreneur, investor and a producer. He is the Founder & Chairman of Creativeland Asia and Creativeland Studios where his belief in storytelling’s power drives him to craft compelling narratives, shaping the future of brands and filmed entertainment. He is also the Chairman of Creators Inc London, one of UK’s noted content houses that represents top Hollywood directors. Kurup is also the publisher and Managing Director of RollingStone India and Mansworld Magazine. He recently set up a Joint Venture along with David Unger to launch AIG India.
Journalist
Mayank Shekhar is a film critic, writer and the head of entertainment at Mid-Day. He’s the first film critic to win the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. His last book, Name Place Animal Thing, was a critically-acclaimed Amazon top title. His ongoing podcast Sit With Hitlist has won multiple prizes. Mayank was part of the founding leadership team of Mumbai Mirror and was national culture editor of Hindustan Times.
June 18,2024
10:30 AM
11:30 AM
The masterclass "Investigating the Wilderness: Documentaries on Indian Wildlife and Conservation Initiatives" explores the field of making documentaries about conservation initiatives and Indian wildlife.
June 18, 2024, 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Masterclass
Moderator - Anchor
The masterclass “Investigating the Wilderness: Documentaries on Indian Wildlife and Conservation Initiatives” explores the field of making documentaries about conservation initiatives and Indian wildlife. Alphonse Roy talks about how documentaries help people understand the value of conservation efforts and the vast biodiversity of the nation. He focuses on how these films illuminate environmental problems, wildlife habitats, and conservationists’ activities in an effort to motivate viewers to take action and develop a greater understanding of India’s natural heritage.
Host, Voiceover, and Cinematography
Alphonse, a multi-talented professional, boasts expertise in hosting, voiceover, and cinematography. He is a graduate of the prestigious Film & T.V. Institute of Tamilnadu. With notable credits as a Director of Photography for acclaimed films like “Gour Hari Dastaan,” “Life is Good,” and “Urumi,” etc. Alphonse’s cinematic vision shines through. His portfolio spans television, commercials, and music, showcasing his versatility and creativity. Alphonse earned acclaim with a Prime Time Emmy Award for “Tibet The End Of Time” (1995) and a Hugo Television Award for “Tiger Kill” (2008). He also received a Film Fare Award nomination for Best Cinematography for “AAMIR” (2009).
12.00 Noon
01.00 PM
The speakers of "Creating the Magic: The Development of Animated Films and Their Persistent Appeal to Children and Adults" delves into the creative process of animated movies and their capacity to captivate audiences of all ages
June 18, 2024, 12.00 Noon - 01.00 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderator - Munjal Shroff
The speakers of “Creating the Magic: The Development of Animated Films and Their Persistent Appeal to Children and Adults” delves into the creative process of animated movies and their capacity to captivate audiences of all ages. Speakers explore the imaginative processes and narrative strategies employed in animation, emphasizing how it can enthrall audiences of all ages. The session highlights how animated movies are a timeless kind of entertainment because of their inventive environments, endearing characters, and universal themes.
Filmmaker, Director Maya Entertainments Animations
Ketan Mehta(FTII) is one of the most internationally acknowledged filmmakers from India. He has received many National and International awards for his well-known films including Best Film for ‘Mirch Masala’ at the Hawaii International Film Festival and the Best Film Audience Choice Award at Locarno for ‘The Ballad of Mangal Pandey’.He is also recognized as a pioneer in the field of Animation and Digital Visual Effects in India.He launched ‘Maya’ – the Animation and VFX Studio in 1997, which created India’s first sci-fi Television Series ‘Captain Vyom’ using Computer Animation and Visual Effects which became a cult classic. He has served as a consultant on many Government of India bodies including Doordarshan, Directorate of Film Festivals and on the Board of Directors of NFDC.
Animator, Filmmaker, Painter, Sculptor with Limca Book of Records
She is a filmmaker, digital artist and sculptor who works across mediums. Her films have gone to numerous film festivals globally and received critical acclaim, especially the short film Shri Hanuman Chalisa. She is the co-creator of Legend of Hanuman on Disney+ Hotstar, one of the most popular shows for any OTT in India. She is also a jury member for numerous film festivals and the president of the AVGC task force at the PHD chambers of commerce. As an artist and sculptor, Charuvi started with miniatures, her signature ‘claytronics’ and went on to make large installations. She has 2 Limca Book of records and her works have been showcased at numerous museums and galleries, including the National Gallery of Modern Art in Delhi and Mumbai. Her most recent work ‘Lumena’ will travel across 4 continents as a showcase of pioneering contemporary Indian art. Her studio, CDL, is one the foremost animation and design studios in the country, creating numerous short films for TV, OTT, Museums and Immersive Experiences. Charuvi continues to create short films with The Ballad of Prahlad: Narasimha Awakens being her latest.
Emmy Nominated Filmmaker - Return of the jungle
Vaibhav Kumaresh is an International Emmy nominated animation film maker and Founder, Creative Director at Vaibhav Studios, Mumbai. The studio has created some of India’s favourite animated content including Simpoo for Channel [V] and Lamput the globally acclaimed, micro short series for Cartoon Network. The studio’s maiden Hindi feature film titled Return of the Jungle has won several international awards and is set to release soon! Vaibhav is the Honorary Secretary of The Animation Society of India and also teaches at various animation & design schools across India.
Jackky Bhagnani is a dynamic force in Indian entertainment, known for his pioneering contributions as one of the youngest producers in the industry.
Leading Pooja Entertainment, a key player in film production and distribution, he has made a significant mark. Expanding his vision, Jackky founded Jjust Group, with a mission to transform the global entertainment landscape through innovative strategies.
A standout initiative under Jjust Group is Jjust Kids, dedicated to edutainment and entertainment. They’ve recently launched Ally and Zoe, two engaging characters, and are in the process of creating 8-10 new full-format animation IPs, poised to captivate and educate young audiences worldwide.
Mohammed Kheirandish is a prolific writer, director, and character designer with over 19 years of experience in animation. He created the Dolphin Boy feature film and Thunder the Last Persian Cheetah TV series. Mohammed designed over 1,000 characters and contributed to feature films like Release from Heaven. He teaches character design, authored a textbook, and won multiple awards, including three from Tehran’s Animafest. Mohammed also serves as a judge for festivals and various animation councils.
A Creator, Producer and Director
Munjal is a creator, producer and director with 27 years of experience across the entire spectrum of live-action, animation, gaming and VFX. He co-founded his production company and animation studio, Graphiti in 1995 and his passion for creating original content and understanding of the business of kid’s entertainment has helped to establish his animation studio as a content powerhouse.
He has forged partnerships with some of the biggest names in kids entertainment including Netflix, Walt Disney TV, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon and has also helped to put India on the global map for Original content. He has developed and produced India’s first kids live action TV show with 3D animation “J bole toh Jadoo” with Nickelodeon.
He is also the creator of the animated series, YOM for Disney Channel. YOM and Krish, Trish and Baltiboy have been released by Netflix in 150 countries in multiple languages including Hindi, English, Turkish, Polish, Korean and Chinese. His brilliance as a Creative Producer has led him to the prestigious project of creating the official YouTube Channel Yoga with Modi with 3D animated Yoga Videos featuring a 3D Avatar of Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi.
He also serves as the Co-Chairman of FICCI AVGC Forum (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics) and is an Advisory Board member of the Media and Entertainment Skill Council. He recently served on the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s Task force on National Animation, VFX, Gaming, Comic and XR Policy.
02.00 PM
03:30 PM
The "Schwizgebel’s Approach to Animation” masterclass provides a thorough overview of the art and techniques of animation.
June 18, 2024, 02.00 PM - 03:30 PM
Masterclass
Moderator - Anchor
The “Schwizgebel’s Approach to Animation” masterclass provides a thorough overview of the art and techniques of animation. The session is led by an industry specialist, covering a variety of topics such as character design, storyboarding, animation fundamentals, and digital technologies. Participants learn vital skills and insights on how to bring their creative dreams to life via practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises. Whether new or seasoned, this master workshop gives an opportunity for animators to develop their craft and improve their narrative skills in the dynamic world of animation.
An Animation director and Producer
The animation director and producer Georges Schwizgebel (1944) has created a remarkably original body of work. His films-whose technical execution is always masterful-are marked by a playful approach to narrative, and the intermingling of visuals and music. His first film, The Flyght of Icarus (1974) begins a career that currently numbers 21 films, which have gone to win numerous awards at prestigious international festivals (such as Cannes, Annecy, Zagreb, Hiroshima, Chicago and Stuttgart). The Ride to the Abyss (1992) is regularly cited as one of the finest animated films of all time.
Acclaimed International award winning Animation Filmmaker & Curator with more than 33 years experience.Her artistic films have won worldwide accolades.Invited as Jury/Grand Jury in several international film festivals in India & abroad including 66 th NFA.Her work has been mentioned in World Encyclopedias of Animation.She curated animation programmes for MIFF & other international festivals since more than a decade.
03.45 PM
04.45 PM
Motivating Stories: Originality and Ingenuity" digs into the core of storytelling, highlighting the value of creativity and uniqueness in engaging listeners.
June 18, 2024, 03.45 PM - 04.45 PM
Masterclass
Moderator - Anchor
“Motivating Stories: Originality and Ingenuity” digs into the core of storytelling, highlighting the value of creativity and uniqueness in engaging listeners. The session elaborates how unique storylines and innovative techniques may inspire and drive audiences, using incisive analysis and real-world examples. Creators may create captivating narratives that touch emotionally with viewers by recognizing creativity and authenticity in storytelling, therefore increasing engagement and establishing emotional connections.
A Film Director, Producer and Professor in Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre
Audrius Stonys, a Film Director, Producer and Professor in Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre. He is a Doctor of Arts and a Recipient of Lithuanian National Culture and Art Award. In 1992, the documentary film, “Earth of the Blind”, was recognised by the European Film Academy as the Best European Documentary Film of the Year. Since 1989, he has created more than 20 internationally recognised creative documentaries and more than 400 TV documentaries.
5.00 PM
6.30PM
Santosh Sivan explores how filmmakers can apply visual symbolism to improve narrative, explaining his own methods for bringing symbolic imagery into his films and its influence on viewers
June 18, 2024, 5.00 PM - 6.30PM
Felicitation & In Conversation With Santosh Sivan
Moderator : NAMRATA JOSH
Santosh Sivan explores how filmmakers can apply visual symbolism to improve narrative, explaining his own methods for bringing symbolic imagery into his films and its influence on viewers. He also discusses his experiences filming in a variety of natural settings and how landscape can serve as a compelling
background for storytelling, as well as approaches for portraying nature’s beauty and grandeur on screen. Recently, Sivan achieved a significant milestone at the Cannes Film Festival, where he was awarded the prestigious Best Cinematography award, the Pierre Angénieux Tribute Award for his exceptional quality of work, further cementing his reputation as a master of visual storytelling. Through this felicitation session, we would understand his exceptional ability to use the camera to enhance narrative depth and emotional resonance, reinforcing his status as a visionary in the world of cinema.
Santosh Sivan is an Indian cinematographer, film director, producer and actor known for his works in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi cinema. Santosh graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India and has, to date, completed 55 feature films and 50 documentaries.He is the recipient of 12 National Film Awards, six Filmfare Awards, four Kerala State Film Awards, and three Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.Santhosh Sivan received the prestigious Pierre Angénieux ExcelLens in Cinematography honour at the Cannes Film Festival 2024.
NAMRATA JOSHI is a national award-winning film critic. Currently she is consulting editor with The New Indian Express and freelance film critic with Screen International UK.
She is also Curator (Market), Cinevesture International Film Festival (CIFF) and Programmer with the Indian Film festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA). A member of the India chapter of FIPRESCI, the international federation of film critics based in Munich, she has been a member of the Fipresci critics’ juries in several international festivals like Toronto, Cluj, Cairo, Moscow, Kerala and Aurangabad. She has also been on the juries at Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival
and the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK). She has been on the selection committee for films at International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa and IFFK.
June 19,2024
10:15 AM
11:15 AM
The masterclass titled "Encouraging Change: Increasing Impact with Short Films" examines how effective short films may be in fostering social change. Nemil Shah explores methods for making the most of short films, such as audience interaction, focused distribution, and strong storytelling.
June 19, 2024, 10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Masterclass
Moderator - Anchor
The masterclass titled “Encouraging Change: Increasing Impact with Short Films” examines how effective short films may be in fostering social change. Nemil Shah explores methods for making the most of short films, such as audience interaction, focused distribution, and strong storytelling. Short films have the power to change society by bringing attention to important topics, motivating viewers to take action, and showcasing engaging stories on digital platforms.
Artist from Jamnagar
Nemil Shah: Nemil is an artist from Jamnagar, India, who mainly works in the realms of films and video installation. His debut short film- “Dal Bhat”, won various accolades including the National Film Award and was also an official entry to the Oscars. In 2023, he created a video- odour film installation- “9-3” in the Amazon Rainforest, Peru, which recently premiered with the works of artists like Apichatpong Weerasethakul. He recently finished a Super 8mm film, which is a part of the Thailand Biennale, 2024. Seven to seven, his first feature film will soon commence its production. Nemil being 24 year old will youngest Master Class of 18th MIFF 2024
02.00 PM
4.00 PM
The session will explore the symbiotic relationship between documentary filmmaking and corporate branding.
June 19, 2024, 02.00 PM - 4.00 PM
Pitching (2.00 pm - 3.15pm) & Panel Discussion (3.15 pm - 4.00 pm)
Chandrashekhar Mantha
The session will explore the symbiotic relationship between documentary filmmaking and corporate branding. With participants from various industry verticals, like FICCI, the discussion will explore how documentaries can be powerful tools for brand enhancement and CSR promotion. Documentary films offer brands a unique medium to communicate their values and commitment to social issues, engaging
stakeholders, fostering public trust, and driving meaningful social change. The conversation will also discuss the challenges of producing impactful films and the metrics for measuring success in terms of brand perception and social impact. The session aims to inspire companies to harness the power of documentary filmmaking as a catalyst for positive societal impact and enhanced brand loyalty.
She joined L’Oréal India as Director Corporate Affairs & Engagement in 2021. She has over 20 years of experience in diverse areas including tech journalism, consumer and brand PR, and corporate communications in Singapore and India. Krishna holds a BA Honors in Journalism from Delhi University and Masters in Communication and a Diploma Human Rights from Hyderabad Central University.
Chief Legal Officer and Group General Counsel Marico Limited.
Amit Bhasin is Chief Legal Officer and Group General Counsel for Marico Limited. He is part of the Executive Committee of Marico Limited and is responsible for Legal and Corporate Affairs Function for Marico Group both in India and International markets. Amit
Bhasin is member of Governance Committee of Marico and also leads Corporate Social Responsibility function of Marico. Amit has over 19 years of experience in Corporate Legal, Legal Business Partnering, Corporate Compliances and Governance. He has worked across organizations in consumer sector. Prior to joining Marico, Amit Bhasin was associated with Hindustan Unilever Limited as General Manager – Legal and Corporate Secretarial for over 13 years. He has handled multiple roles and worked on several M&A transactions and corporate actions for Unilever including the acquisition of GSK business. He was part of several global working
networks for Unilever in the areas of Competition Law, Governance and Compliance. Amit plays an active role in the advocacy
efforts for FMCG industry and is part of several industry bodies. He is member of FICCI FMCG Committee and Chair for FICCI FMCG Committee for Legal Metrology and CCPA. He is part of Legal Committee of Indian Beauty & Hygiene Association (IBHA), Executive Committee Member of MCIA FMCG User Council and Chair for Chief Legal Officer Network India, Winmark . He has featured in GC
Powerlist India in 2022, has been recognised for his excellence as the Best Leading Lawyers 2022 by World Intellectual Property Forum (WIPF). Amit was awarded 40 under 40 Legal Rising Stars Award by Legal Era in 2019. Amit is a Law Graduate and a certified Chartered Secretary from the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) . He has also earned a post-graduation certification in Sustainable Business from the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom in 2011.
Sh. Prithul Kumar, is presently JS (Broadcasting II) & MD, NFDC, Ministry of I & B.. He is a Civil Servant of 2000 batch of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) Officer. He has held various assignments in the Ministry of Railways handling diverse areas, viz. Operations, Marketing, Infrastructure, IT &; Safety. In 2008, he had been deputed for the challenging assignment of setting up train operations for the inauguration of Railways in Kashmir Valley and in 2019, for expediting Dedicated freight corridors; High speed Railway projects. He worked in Ministry of Mines from 2013-19, where he spearheaded several pathbreaking initiatives such as – implementation of the transformational ‘auction’ mechanism for bringing transparency mining lease allotments in the country, instituting sustainability framework in mining by starting ‘Star Rating’ of Mines, preventing illegal mining using satellite technology by getting a ‘Mining Surveillance System’ developed. He spearheaded in protected country’s interests in an ‘International Arbitration’ case under Bilateral Investment Treaty, which is one of the cases to be decided in favour of India. During his current tenure in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, he has been contributing immensely for the growth of the film sector. He has been involved intensively in merger the Film Units to strengthen the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC),
which was completed within the timelines. He played key role in the formulation and enactment of the amendment to the Cinematograph Act in 2023, which was amended after 40 years to incorporate the changes in technology and societal norms. It is
a key legislation to comprehensively prevent film piracy & aims to address the issues relating to film certification. He was the member secretary of the AVGC Task force and is involved in carrying forward the recommendations by instituting policy environment for the growth of the AVGC sector. He was the Festival Director of the 54 th International Film Festival of India (IFFI),2023 & Market Director of the 17 th Film Bazaar, 2023 in November, 2023. This edition of IFFI ; FB were widely applauded by the International Film fraternity, with record number of international film entries to the tune of 3 times. The success of the festival reflected in its outreach growing 30 times more than its last edition. He had also organised Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) Film Festival in Jan 2023 in Mumbai. In free time, he likes to watch movies and play outdoor games like squash, badminton
Marketing & Sustainability Director,HUL
He is a marketing and sustainability Director and also Sales & Marketing leader. Worked in multiple categories from ice creams, food, tea and Homecare and on multiple 1000 cr + brands and on digital first launches.
Head - Media & Entertainment,Partner Deloitte India
Chandrashekhar is a Partner at Deloitte India with over 20 years of extensive experience in leading various engagements across multiple
sectors such as Retail, e-Commerce, Telecom, Manufacturing, Life Sciences, Media & Entertainment, and Metal & Mining which have resulted in significant process improvements, control enhancement and cost optimization opportunities. He has served some of the largest groups and companies – both Indian and Multinational. He has worked across multiple geographies with cross cultural teams.
Chandrashekar has been invited to provide inputs on leading Internal Audit and Control practices (including automation opportunities) to governance
and risk assurance functions. He has been involved closely with C-Suite and Audit Committees to strengthen the internal control environment, and
has written several thought papers, POVs and articles. He has been a subject matter expert on corporate governance, risk management solutions, policies and procedures and COSO framework implementation and has made his contribution towards various thought leadership publications as well as white papers. He has led various SOP design, control automation, COSO framework implementation, internal audit and risk management engagements. He has led multiple IFC engagements in India which involved implementation of Internal Financial Controls based on COSO framework. He has worked with large international business groups in improving their reporting structures and control environment based on COSO framework and has provided various risk advisory solutions in India and overseas. He was involved in large global SOX engagements across different sectors viz. metals & mining, telecom, media & entertainment in India and overseas. His involvement was throughout the scoping, documentation and testing phases of the implementation project
11:30 AM
01:00 PM
The Cinematography masterclass cum Inconversation session on cinematography , "Beyond Boundaries" is an intensive journey into the art and methods of cinematography, breaking down traditional barriers to unleash creativity and innovation
June 19, 2024, 11:30 AM - 01:00 PM
In Conversation
R V Ramani & Sunny Joseph
The Cinematography masterclass cum Inconversation session on cinematography , “Beyond Boundaries” is an intensive journey into the art and methods of cinematography, breaking down traditional barriers to
unleash creativity and innovation. This masters session, led by an experienced teacher and other industry professional, delves beyond traditional cinematography approaches, exploring new views, technology,
and narrative strategies. Participants learn about lighting, composition, camera movement, colour theory, and visual storytelling, as well as practical techniques and ideas to help them improve their craft. Participants learn how to push cinematography’s boundaries via hands-on exercises, case studies, and collaborative projects, resulting in visually spectacular and emotionally powerful films that capture audiences. The national award winning documentaries of one master and the 60 plus documentaries of
another master will be unleashed in this session.
RV Ramani, a filmmaker and cinematographer, a national award winner, makes documentary films that explore aspects of expressions. R.V. Ramani graduated in Physics from Mumbai University and took up photojournalism as a profession for 3 years. He then joined the Film and TV Institute of India, Pune, graduating in 1985, specializing in Motion Picture Photography. Over the years, Ramani has established a unique style of his own, making independent impressionistic documentaries. He has travelled widely, his works and retrospectives have been presented at many international film festivals.
Sunny Joseph (FTII), is an eminent cinematographer practicing across India. In fiction and non-fiction films, Sunny has worked with major directors in 65 feature films and an equal number of documentaries and short films. His fiction films include Piravi, Vasthuhara, Nizhalkuthu, Mangamma, Sanabi, Janala, Train to Pakistan, Kahini and Chotti Motti Batein. Sunny’s documentary films include Sahaja, Bharatanatyam (Aravindan), Robot Jockey (Miriam Chandy), Ayurveda (Pan Nalin, Natasha Betak), Goddesses (Leena Manimekalai), Walls & The Tiger (Sushma Kallam), Bimba Pratibimba (Girish Kasaravalli), Saksharatha (Bina Paul), and Light Up The Sky (Anita Pratap). He is a former Chairman and General Secretary of the Indian Society of Cinematographers and is currently the ISC Treasurer.
June 20,2024
2.00 PM
3.00 PM
"From Script to Screen: The Challenges and Triumphs of International Co-Production" digs into the intricate process of working across borders to bring a film from screenplay to screen.
June 20, 2024, 2.00 PM - 3.00 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderator - Arfi Lamba
“From Script to Screen: The Challenges and Triumphs of International Co-Production” digs into the intricate process of working across borders to bring a film from screenplay to screen. The speakers delve into the complexities and obstacles encountered in foreign co-productions, such as overcoming cultural differences, legal laws, and logistical issues. Despite these challenges, the speakers emphasize the benefits of collaboration, such as access to a varied talent pool, finance options, and worldwide distribution channels. Through case studies and professional views, the session provides significant lessons for filmmakers looking to begin on successful international co-production endeavors.
World recognised documentaries and Padmashree award in 2016
Nilamadhab Panda, a visionary filmmaker and storyteller, garnered him prestigious accolades, including the Padma Shri in 2016 and a D.Litt. Honoris Causa from Utkal University of culture in 2018. His debut feature, “I am Kalam” (2010), achieved international acclaim, winning 34 awards and a national accolade. Continuing his cinematic odyssey, Panda’s subsequent films such as “Jalpari,” “Kaun Kitney Paani Mein,” and “Kadvi Hawa ” solidify his reputation as a socially conscious filmmaker. Through poignant narratives, he sheds light on pressing issues like water scarcity, climate change, and environmental degradation.
“Kalira Atita,” Panda’s recent work, delves into the repercussions of climate change on India’s east coast, earning praise at international festivals and receiving numerous awards. His commitment to activism is evident as he seamlessly intertwines storytelling with social advocacy, evident in his OTT show “The Jengaburu Curse” on Sony Liv.He founded the International Screenwriters Lab in 2008, 2010, and 2012, nurturing quality scripts for Asian cinema.
JS Films
Prithul Kumar, is presently JS (Broadcasting II) ; MD, NFDC, Ministry of I&B.He is a Civil Servant of 2000 batch of the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS) Officer.He has held various assignments in the Ministry of Railways handling diverse areas,viz. Operations, Marketing, Infrastructure, IT ; Safety. In 2008, he had been deputed for the challenging assignment of setting up train operations for the inauguration of Railways in Kashmir Valley and in 2019, for expediting Dedicated freight corridors ; High speed Railway projects.
He worked in Ministry of Mines from 2013-19, where he spearheaded several path breaking initiatives such as – implementation of the transformational ‘auction’ mechanism for bringing transparency mining lease allotments in the country, instituting sustainability framework in mining by starting ‘Star Rating’ of Mines, preventing illegal mining using satellite technology by getting a ‘Mining Surveillance System’ developed. He spearheaded in protected country’s interests in an ‘International Arbitration’ case under Bilateral Investment Treaty, which is one of the cases to be decided in favour of India.
During his current tenue in the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting, he has been contributing immensely for the growth of the film sector. He has been involved intensively in merger the Film Units to strengthen the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC),which was completed within the timelines. He played key role in the formulation and enactment of the amendment to the Cinematograph Act in 2023, which was amended after 40 years to incorporate the changes in technology and societal norms.
It is a key legislation to comprehensively prevent film piracy,aims to address the issues relating to film certification.He was the member secretary of the AVGC Task force and is involved in carrying forward the recommendations by instituting policy environment for the growth of the AVGC sector. He was the Festival Director of the 54 th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), 2023 ,Market Director of the 17 th Film Bazaar, 2023 in November, 2023.
This edition of IFFI, FB were widely applauded by the International Film fraternity, with record number of international film entries to the tune of 3 times. The success of the festival reflected in its outreach growing 30 times more than its last edition. He had also organised Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO) Film Festival in Jan 2023 in Mumbai. In free time, he likes to watch movies and play outdoor games like squash, badminton, cricket.
Film Consultant, Programmer and Producer based in France
Golda Sellam, a film consultant, programmer and producer based in France, is known for The Velvet Gentleman, La gueule du loup (2016) and Doobie (2020). She is an expert of the European Commission and the ministry of foreign affairs France.She is also a consultant in chief for Co production and finance.
President, Documentary Resource initiative.
Nilotpal Majumdar is the president of Documentary Resource Initiative. He is the one behind ‘DocEdge’ He did a postgraduate diploma in cinema with specialisation in editing from Film & Television Institute of India. He has served the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute as its Dean. He was also the director of the Manipur State Film and Television Institute in Imphal. Nilotpal has been a jury member at the prestigious International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA), Israel’s Docaviv, Korea’s DMZ Doc Funds and many more.
Vrunda Manohar Desai is an officer of 2003 batch of Indian Revenue Service and presently posted as Joint Secretary Films. She has a multifaceted personality and her interests are diverse. She is an Electronics Engineer and has completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in
Hindustani Classical Vocal .She has been instrumental in publishing a brochure on “Handicrafts of Tharu Tribes” which provided a fillip to the promotion of arts and crafts of Lakhimpur Kheri district. Vrunda has also bagged gold medals in 25m Sports Pistol and 10m Air Pistol events at Indian Revenue Open Shooting Competition in Departmental Female category and also won Gold medals for IT department in Carrom tournaments at Sub National level. She is committed to the growth of Media and Entertainment Industry in India.
General Director, National Film Studio Belarus
General Director of the National Film Studio Belarusfilm UE – Born on August 27, 1973 in Belarus.Graduated from the Belarusian Commercial Institute of Management; Grodno State Agrarian University; Academy of Management under the President of the Republic of Belarus. He worked as the first secretary of the Grodno regional committee of the public association “Belarusian Republican Youth Union”, director of the UE “Grodnooblkinovideoprokat”.
From 2012 to 2016 he was a member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus*; Currently, he is again a member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus.
* Upper House of the Parliament of the Republic of Belarus/
Actor
Arfi Laamba is a trained actor with a couple of successful bollywood films under his belt and is the producer/co-producer of some critically acclaimed feature and short films. Arfi co-founded Bombay Berlin Film Productions (BBFP), an Indo-German film production house based in Mumbai and Berlin. Its filmography includes the Indian/Marathi production Radius-Trijya, by Akshay Indikar, which had its world premiere at the Shanghai International film festival and went on to compete in Tallinn Black Nights, Dhaka International Film Festival and many others.The film was nominated for three ANTA awards and won National Award and State Award for Sound Design. Its maiden Production, Loev, by Sudhanshu Saria, was one of the first films that Netflix licensed from India for a 180 countries worldwide release for 5 years.
The film had its world premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights and went to many prestigious festivals like South By SouthWest, BFI Flare, Jeonju etc. The Road to Mandalay, directed by Midi Z, where they were German Co-Producers, won the Fedeora award at Venice 2016 and competed in many festivals like TIFF, Tokyo, Busan etc and wa released in 30 countries.Their latest short, Muhafiz, by Pradipta Ray, opened at BFI Flare and was nominated for BAFTA qualifying IRIS Prize film festival.Presently, their short, Murakh (The Idiot) is playing at Jio Cinemas and Trijya is on Mubi. The company is working on two international co-productions, topilining some acclaimed cast (August Diehl) and crew and is also developing two series with two reputed platforms.
12.00 Noon
01.00 PM
"Dissemination of Shorts: Penetration, Reach, and Exposure" investigates the tactics and issues associated with disseminating short films to viewers.
June 20, 2024, 12.00 Noon - 01.00 PM
Panel Discussion
Moderator - Carter Pilcher
“Dissemination of Shorts: Penetration, Reach, and Exposure” investigates the tactics and issues associated with disseminating short films to viewers. The speakers investigate strategies for increasing the penetration, reach, and visibility of short films across several platforms and channels. They discuss the necessity of using digital platforms, film festivals, and social media to increase the visibility of short films, allowing filmmakers to interact with a larger audience and fulfill their artistic aims.
CEO Pocket Films
Saameer Mody, is an Indian businessman with 30+ years of business experience. He is the founder and managing director of Pocket Films. Pocket Films is India’s leading distributor of short films and the No. 1 partner channel for YouTube in India for such content. Pocket Films is the de-facto destination for creators of short films to gain exposure and generate revenue through its distribution and syndication activities across platforms eg. Facebook, Jio Cinemas, Amazon (US & UK), MX Player, Vodafone, etc.
Taking their distribution a step further, Pocket Films is launching its own OTT Platform focused on short films.Saameer has leveraged his experience and guided Pocket Films into related verticals including production of eclectic short films and web-series. Pocket Films is also the leader for short films contests in India with over 45+ such events. Many of these are in association with international film festivals.
Head Berlinale Shorts
Anna Henckel-Donnersmarck is a filmmaker, video artist and film curator. Since 2019 she is head of Berlinale Shorts, the official competition for short films at the Berlinale.She creates video projections for theater, opera, dance and music concerts as well as video installations for exhibitions and museums. She teaches at film schools and has been working for film festivals as programmer, moderator or member of the jury for more than 20 years now.
A renowned short film and documentary filmmaker represented nagaland and northeast representation at Cannes.
Born in the hilly town of Kohima, Nagaland, India, Vikeyeno Zao belongs to the Angami Naga tribe. Experienced in broadcasting, she has hosted and produced various radio programs for All India Radio, Kohima, and Vividh Bharati, New Delhi. Zao has directed numerous documentaries and telefilms on the nature, environment, and social aspects of tribes in Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
She is best known for her short films and documentaries focusing on preserving indigenous cultures and traditions. One of her most notable works is “Last of the Tattooed Headhunters,” which delves into the ritualistic headhunting practices of the Konyaks, aiming to preserve and showcase their rich cultural heritage was featured at the 63rd Cannes International Film Festival in 2010, highlighting her ability to bring indigenous stories to a global audience by exploring the headhunting rituals and tattooing practices of the Konyak tribe before the original tattooed headhunters are gone forever. This has been selected in the short film corner category of the festival. This short film shows the hunting practices of the Konyak Nagas, their home, customs and traditions which was prevalent till the 20th century.
In 2011, her film “These Land We Called Our Home” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. This documentary explores the intricate relationship between elephants and the communities in Northeast India. The film highlights the cultural and environmental significance of elephants in the region, focusing on the challenges of conservation amidst modern pressures. Zao captures the majestic presence of elephants and the efforts to protect their natural habitat, shedding light on the deep bond between the forest and these gentle giants. The documentary aims to raise awareness about the need for sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife. She also directed and produced a 26-episode adventure game show, “The Mountain Warriors,” for Arunprabha, Prasar Bharati, Doordarshan, New Delhi (2019-2020).
CEO- Media Entertainment and Skill Council. With over two decades of extensive experience in building start-ups, fundraising, strategic alliances, business development, international collaborations and a range of other areas, Mohit Soni has been instrumental in establishing some of the finest brands we know in the media sector.Mohit started his career in the media industry as a graphic designer and established his first production studio at the age of 18 years. Strong educational background, including training from ISB, Hyderabad, and PGDBM from Symbiosis Pune, complemented by extensive industry expertise and hands-on experience in marketing and business development.
Acknowledged as the youngest CEO heading one of the largest Media Training Venture, Mohit is presently spearheading Media & Entertainment Skills Council as a Chief Executive Officer.
Taking forward the vision of our Honorable Prime Minister to make India the Skill Capital of the World, Mohit is working towards developing the national standards for creating skilled workforce matching the global requirements.
Understanding the potential of the media and entertainment industry and it’s contribution towards the economy, Mohit is dedicated to building a long-term relationship with his partners and always looks to identify and groom potential talent. He also aims to develop international partnerships with other countries to promote the exchange of ideas and knowledge, with the ultimate aim of creating a strong and sustainable industry.
A graduate of the prestigious FTII Pune, Pankaj Saxena is an awarded film maker, global traveller, published writer, cinema academic and lifelong student of screen arts. He has held senior positions at Discovery Channel, BBC Worldwide and Lok Sabha TV among others. Pankaj enjoys spreading the joy of cinema through organizing film festivals, leading film appreciation programmes and conducting cinema-oriented conversations across India and the world.
10.30 AM
11.30 AM
‘Master Class on Editing -Shaping Characters’ provides a thorough examination crafting the characters through the technique and practice of film editing.
June 20, 2024, 10.30 AM - 11.30 AM
Masterclass
Moderator - Anchor
‘Master Class on Editing -Shaping Characters’ provides a thorough examination crafting the characters through the technique and practice of film editing. Through experienced coaching and hands-on demonstrations, participants learn about the intricacies of editing processes, narrative principles, and the importance of editing in the creation of cinematic stories. This masterclass will provide aspiring editors with the information and skills required to construct engaging storylines, govern pacing, and evoke powerful emotions from viewers via the smart use of material.
An Award Winning Film Editor with 30 years of Experience.
Ollie Huddleston is an award-winning film editor with 30 years of experience working in TV and cinema documentaries. He has been nominated twice for a BAFTA and has won two Royal Television Society awards for Editing. The films ‘Sisters in Law’, ‘Hold Me Tight’, ‘Let me go’, ‘The Liberace of Baghdad’, ‘Rough Aunties’ and ‘Dreamcatcher’ received prizes all over the world, including at Cannes, IDFA and Sundance film festivals.
03.15 PM
04.15 PM
This session explore how the filmmaker Mr. Jiri Trnka who is known as the ‘The Walt Disney of Eastern Europe’ was able to exploit the potentials and limits of traditional Czech theater puppets, from a cinematographic perspective, by making them a unique and powerful form of language, which still remains a major influence in contemporary Eastern European animation.
June 20, 2024, 03.15 PM - 04.15 PM
Moderator - Anchor
This session explore how the filmmaker Mr. Jiri Trnka who is known as the ‘The Walt Disney of Eastern Europe’ was able to exploit the potentials and limits of traditional Czech theater puppets, from a cinematographic perspective, by making them a unique and powerful form of language, which still remains a major influence in contemporary Eastern European animation.’ He is renowned for his short films and animation films where he made it into the Cannes Short Film of the year of Zviratka a Petrovsti in 1946 itself!!
An Ethnologist by Training.
Olivier Catherin is an ethnologist by training. He worked for the French Animation Film Association and created the International Animation Day for the ASIFA. In 2008 he created the production company “Les Trois Ours”. From 2015 to 2018 he oversaw the animation sector for the Hauts-de-France region and is now a freelance producer and animation consultant. He won two César and one European Film Award. He’s also teaching animation production.
4.30 PM
6.00 PM
Experience the Stanislavski System’s approach in acting education through this Masterclass, structured in three engaging acts
June 20, 2024, 4.30 PM - 6.00 PM
Acting Workshop
Speaker : Fabrice Carrey
Experience the Stanislavski System’s approach in acting education through this
Masterclass, structured in three engaging acts:
Theoretical Insight (45 min): Dive into Stanislavski’s life, his artistic breakthroughs, and the
foundations of his method, illuminated by his exchanges with Nemirovich-Danchenko and
Antone Chekhov. Interactive Practice (30 min): Engage in exercises that demonstrate the
system’s application and the training of Eastern European actors. Open Dialogue (15 min): A
Q&A session to deepen understanding and mastery of the system.
Fabrice Carrey, the artistic director at the heart of the Franco-Belarusian association Demain le Printemps TEATRO, has been fostering cultural exchange and theatrical education since 1994, utilizing the Stanislavski system. His vision has strengthened ties between French and Belarusian artistic communities, enriching theatrical culture and promoting Francophonie. Under his leadership, the school offers intensive training, unveiling talent through workshops and international master classes, contributing significantly to the global arts landscape.