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Tag: Richie Mehta

  • With a record 12,000 delegates, 314 films, MIFF closes on a high

    With a record 12,000 delegates, 314 films, MIFF closes on a high

    Mumbai: With a record-breaking attendance of 12,000 delegates and the screening of 314 films, the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) concluded on a high note. This edition of MIFF witnessed unprecedented delegate participation, with enthusiasts attending various screenings, panel discussions, and masterclasses. Films from 59 different countries were showcased during the festival, which not only took place in Mumbai but also extended to venues in Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Pune for the first time.

    NFDC festival director and MD Pritul Kumar expressed his satisfaction with the overwhelming response to this year’s MIFF. “The remarkable turnout demonstrates the growing interest in documentaries, shorts, and animation among a dedicated audience. The success of MIFF should be attributed to robust programming, setting new benchmarks for future editions.“

    With a host of eminent personalities like Richie Mehta, Santosh Sivan , Daniela Volker, Ketan Mehta, Tushar Hiranandani, Alphonse Roy, T.S. Nagabharana among others attending the festival, the 18th MIFF was also lauded for its excellent organization and venue design ensuring accessibility and protection from the monsoon rains in Mumbai. Special measures, such as providing training to volunteers for attendees needing special assistance, and installing ramps across the festival campus, enhanced the overall experience for all participants.

    Working with the not for profit organisation Svayam, volunteers and teams at the festival were made to undergo special training to better equip them with patrons that needed special attention. Venues were also made accessible with the instillation of ramps across the festival campus.

    There were also special screening for people with hearing and visual impairments.

    “I think the selection of films was very good and many of the documentaries were insightful. It was especially good because everything was within the same campus and we could book on the app, rush to the next screening, eat and also discuss with our friends without stepping out or getting wet” said one of the delegates.

    The festival this year also digitised the screening bookings and its badge registration , to further facilitate accessibility and time efficiency. Furthermore stalls from various countries, Indian states, start ups and the skill council allowed for interested audiences and delegates to interact, learn and engage.

    The first ever docu bazaar that was put up, saw 108 projects in Work-in-progress and Viewing Room, while for co production there were 16 projects selected from 63 entries. 15 producers interested in backing documentaries, shorts and animation were part of the docu bazaar this year.

  • Richie Mehta speaks on Poacher and conservation at 18TH MIFF

    Richie Mehta speaks on Poacher and conservation at 18TH MIFF

    Mumbai: The 18th edition of the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) saw celebrated filmmaker Richie Mehta, the director of Delhi crime and most recently “Poacher” in conversation with an eminent journalist, talking about his journey of making both the shows.

    Speaking at a house-packed auditorium at NMIC premise in Mumbai, Mehta said that the true reason for backing the project was a larger cause than the conservation aspect the series highlighted. He also expressed that he is grateful that the cause was achieved.

    He also spoke about how his favourite part of making a show for him is the ‘research’…”My favourite part of the process is research because you are getting to know remarkable people, you get to see astonishing stories and that’s where I learn about everything.”

    He also spoke about how he was very particular about not using real animals. “There was no chance I was going to use real animals because then it defeats the whole purpose and the intention of the series…which means the technology has to be of a certain level to be able to do that and the artists are all from here (India) who have done that… for me, that is a great sense of pride.”

    When quizzed by the audience on the sort of content he would be keen on backing, he said that he is more keen on focussing on the script and the acting which formed the core and paid emphasis on pushing boundaries, using the leverage of one position to bring forth key issues. He also stated that he is currently researching being able to take the idea further, with a focus on ‘Big Cats’.

    On being asked if there was any fear while making Poacher, Mehta said “The only fear I had was, will I be able to fulfil my promise to the wildlife team.”

    Acknowledging his team behind the much talked about series, Mehta called on the team of Poacher present in the audience at the session. The in-conversation was followed by the red carpet screening of the series, with filmmaker Richie Mehta, MD, NFDC Shri Pritul Kumar and other dignitaries walking the red carpet.

    The 18th MIFF which commenced on the 15th, concludes on the 21st of June, 2024.  In a bid to make the festival accessible to discerning audiences across the country, special screenings have also been organised in Pune, Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi.

     

  • Alia Bhatt joins as executive producer for Amazon Original crime series ‘Poacher’

    Alia Bhatt joins as executive producer for Amazon Original crime series ‘Poacher’

    Mumbai: Prime Video today announced that actor, producer and entrepreneur, Alia Bhatt has come onboard as executive producer for its upcoming Amazon Original series Poacher, produced by QC Entertainment. An investigative crime series based on true events; Poacher unearths the largest ivory poaching ring in Indian history. A first-of-its-kind project, Poacher brings the world of environmental conservation and entertainment together with the intent of highlighting a key global concern – illegal poaching. Emmy-award-winning filmmaker Richie Mehta has created, written, and directed the series, which boasts of a diverse and talented cast comprising Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya in pivotal roles. Poacher which unfolds primarily in Malayalam, Hindi and English, is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on February 23 in multiple languages. The crime series is the latest addition to the Prime membership. Prime members in India enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership, for just Rs 1499/ year.

    A globally celebrated artist, Alia is also known as a champion of nature and has actively lent her voice towards conservation and sustainability. Her association with Poacher as an executive producer with her production company Eternal Sunshine Productions, underscores her belief in the story and her commitment to bring important and relevant stories alive and be a voice for the voiceless.

    Talking about coming onboard as the executive producer for Poacher, Alia Bhatt shared, “Being part of this incredibly significant project is an honor, for both me and the entire team at Eternal Sunshine Productions. The impact of Poacher was deeply personal, and Richie’s portrayal of the urgent issue of wildlife crime resonated strongly with me and the team. The storytelling genuinely moved me, especially knowing it’s based on true events, that sheds light on brutal crimes occurring in our forests. I am confident that Poacher will serve as an eye-opener, delivering a powerful message to be more compassionate and considerate towards all living beings. It’s a call to embrace coexistence and I am genuinely thrilled to be collaborating with Richie, QC and Prime Video and to contribute to this narrative.”

    “Alia coming on board Poacher is truly a dream come true. In addition to being a world-class actress she has proven to be a selfless philanthropist channeling her well-respected and earned celebrity status for championing positive causes. Her involvement in this series helps raise awareness for the important issues addressed in the show. The most important of which is, we are all one interconnected humanity and planet. It’s crucial that we treat it with the respect and consideration it deserves,” said QC principals Hamm, Mansfield & McKittrick.

    Poacher is executive produced by QC Entertainment’s Edward H. Hamm Jr., Raymond Mansfield and Sean McKittrick, in association with Suitable Pictures, Poor Man’s Productions and Eternal Sunshine Productions. Alan McAlex (Suitable Boy) serves as producer for Suitable Pictures. Also from Delhi Crime are director of photography Johan Aidt, composer Andrew Lockington and editor Beverley Mills.

    Apart from her pursuits in cinema, Alia has passionately helped raise awareness about relevant causes such as environmental sustainability, animal welfare and mitigating human-animal conflict through her platform, Coexist. She also promotes sustainable fashion through her initiative, Mi Wardrobe is Su Wardrobe.

  • Vidnet attendee Richie Mehta wins Emmy for Delhi Crime

    Vidnet attendee Richie Mehta wins Emmy for Delhi Crime

    MUMBAI: Netflix series Delhi Crime won the Best Drama Series at the 2020 International Emmy Awards. The series features Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugal, Adil Hussain, Rajesh Tailang in key roles and is based on the Delhi police' painstaking investigation in the 16 December 2012 gang rape case in the capital.

    The show has been directed by Richie Mehta. The director in his acceptance speech, paid tribute to the victim and her mother.

    This is the first time that an Indian series has won at the International Emmys.

    He said, “I dedicate this award to all the women who not just endure the violence that so many men inflict on them, but are then tasked to solve the problem. Finally, to the tireless mother, and her daughter. Not a day goes by when I don’t think about you both and what the world subjected you two to. And I hope none of us ever forget that.”

    Shefali Shah, who played the lead role of Vartika Chaturvedi in Delhi Crime, shared her excitement over the big win on twitter.

     

     

    Other actors such as Adil Hussain and Rajesh Tailang too took to Twitter to celebrate the big day.

     

     

     

     

  • Indian content creators must find out right stories to reach global audiences

    Indian content creators must find out right stories to reach global audiences

    MUMBAI: Over the top platforms have opened up the doors for content creators to share their creativity across the world. Despite the influx of major companies such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video in India, content creators are still figuring out how to make their stories go global.

    At the stage of Indiantelevision.com’s Vidnet 2019 summit, some of the successful creators spilt the beans on their strategies. The creators of Delhi Crime, Lunch Box and Bard of Blood believe that stories that resonate and connect emotionally with the global audiences do travel. 

    The panel discussion ‘Making Indian Stories Travel’ in the creators’ track was moderated by BookMyShow VP content and strategy Manisha Singh Katial and the panellists were MUBI India content advisor Guneet Munga, Delhi Crime creator, director and writer Richie Mehta, and Red Chillies Entertainment chief revenue officer Gaurav Verma. 

    Katial opened the discussion by stating, “Yes, stories that are good do travel. But they also have to be culturally connected and I think that also becomes the challenge. Something that culturally connects with you resonates more, and something that connects with you emotionally, definitely works. I do feel making stories that travel is a challenge because it depends on the content that one is creating.”

    Katial asked Mehta to share the feedback he received on Delhi Crime. “The feedback for Delhi Crime is global. I have been hearing that the story has travelled quite far, and seems to have resonated with people all over the world. I knew this when I was conceiving the project.”

    He further elaborated, “I was in Delhi when the crime happened. So I reacted to it as somebody in India would. Then I left and went to Toronto and there I realised that this wasn’t just an ‘Indian’ thing, this was a humanitarian issue for the planet’s citizen. When I pieced together my work I figured out that it could have deep meaning for the Indian audience.”

    Mehta’s aim was to show a positive representation of India through his story. “It is the worst thing that has ever happened in this country and if you can spin that around to make a story of the extreme positive environment, especially for somebody outside with no knowledge and understanding about India, I certainly want to make it like that,” he said.

    Monga, the creator of Lunch Box, also expressed that content creators have tried to represent Indian beyond Bollywood’s depiction. Distribution has been the challenge previously. She said, “Across the world there are different sets of distribution, buyers and strategies. So it was not the same release day of films worldwide. Lunch Box released over two years around the world. And it is important for us to understand there are many layers to this.”

    Monga said that films can travel either because of its content or because of the choice of distribution partners. Sometimes a really good film is unable to travel because it does not have the right access. “So having the right access and having that distribution division, which is not just diaspora, is important. I feel with Netflix coming in India the lines are merging and now people will be able to see what India is with all its languages and colours, all its type of filmmaking and storytelling.”

    Katial commented that while having partners like Amazon and Netflix is great, it is also necessary to think internationally. To this, Verma added that one should not try to attempt an international story with the pressure that one has to appeal to seven billion consumers because emotional stories will connect to people. The best way to dazzle the audience is through content and script. Verma also opined that the industry is facing the issue of lack of talent. OTT platforms need writers who can understand the audiences’ need. 

    The panellists also said that apart from appealing stories and subjects, subtitles and dubbing of the content in different languages are also extremely pivotal in reaching global audiences.

  • ‘Delhi Crime’ creator, writer & director Richie Mehta to discuss craft of digital storytelling at Vidnet Masterclasses

    ‘Delhi Crime’ creator, writer & director Richie Mehta to discuss craft of digital storytelling at Vidnet Masterclasses

    MUMBAI: Creator, writer and director Richie Mehta, famous for writing and directing Netflix Original Delhi Crime is going to be sharing his expertise in the field of creating content for the web at Indiantelevision.com’s Vidnet Masterclasses, by directors & editors, happening at The Westin, Mumbai on October 4.

    Vidnet Masterclasses are an Indiantelevision.com initiative to facilitate the creative process of young and aspiring creators willing to work in the digital domain. The Masterclasses will host directors & editors, and writers who will be talking to the audience directly about the craft of video creation.

    He will be discussing with the attendees the craft of creating a compelling narrative and direction techniques to ace in the competitive digital video ecosystem, drawing instances from his personal experiences that he has gathered while working across mediums like films and digital.

    Mehta has been a successful and revered creator since the initial days of his career. His first film
    Amal (2007) became a recipient of 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 Playback Magazine.

    He then wrote and directed several films and programs including I’ll Follow You Down, Siddharth, India in a Day, and Delhi Crime that revolved around the Delhi Police’s investigation of the infamous gang-rape of a young medical student on a bus in 2012.

    Other speakers at the Masterclasses include Patrick Graham, Amit Kulkarni, Bhavani Iyer, Puneet Krishna, and Danish Aslam.

  • Delhi Crime to premiere exclusively on Netflix on march 22 around the world

    Delhi Crime to premiere exclusively on Netflix on march 22 around the world

    MUMBAI: Delhi Crime, a seven-part series written and directed by award-winning Indo-Canadian filmmaker Richie Mehta, will be available to Netflix members worldwide from March 22, 2019. The police-procedural thriller, produced by Golden Karavan and Ivanhoe Pictures, will premiere worldwide at Sundance Film Festival on January 29 in the Indie Episodic category.

    Season 1 of Delhi Crime is inspired by and follows the notorious December 2012 investigation by the  Delhi Police into a devastating rape of a young woman that reverberated across India and the world. Throughout seven hour-long episodes, Delhi Crime captures the complexities of the scrutiny, the emotional toll on the investigating team, and their determination to bring the perpetrators to justice in a fraught environment.

    The police officer (Vartika Chaturvedi in the series) is sensitively portrayed by Shefali Shah (Monsoon Wedding, Juice), who leads a critically-lauded cast that includes Adil Hussain (Life of Pi, Hotel Salvation), Denzil Smith (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Rasika Dugal (Qissa, Manto), Rajesh Tailang (Siddharth, Selection Day) and Yashaswini Dayama (Dear Zindagi, The Odds).

    Over six years of research went into the making of the series, which was shot on location in New Delhi. Richie Mehta (Amal, Siddharth), conceived the show during a conversation with Neeraj Kumar, a former Commissioner of the Delhi Police, who introduced him to the investigating team, and offered access to hundreds of pages of legal documents that were prepared as part of investigation. Overwhelmed by the brutality of the incident, and determined to bring to light the details of the investigation, Mehta realized that the zeal and passion of the police in providing closure to a nation would be best portrayed in the form of a series.

    Mehta said, “The making of Delhi Crime has been a personally transformative journey; speaking to every individual involved, retracing the paths that the police took during the course of the investigation, and hearing of the determination that it took for the case to be closed, despite severe limitations. I hope that we’ve been able to provide context, catharsis and open once again a difficult conversation that must be had about the forces that enabled this brutality.”

    Simran Sethi, Director, International Originals, Netflix, said,  “Delhi Crime is an important story told with sensitivity and responsibility, and we are honored to help bring this series to Indian and global members.  It is honest and emotional and powerful. Shows like this bring a much-needed lens to the lived reality of women around the world.  Watching this series is an affecting experience, and we are sure it will be as meaningful of an experience for Netflix audiences as it was for us.”

    Serving as Executive producers for Golden Karavan are Aaron Kaplan, Jeff Sagansky, Florence Sloan, Apoorva Bakshi, Pooja Kohli and Sanjay Bachani. Executive producers from Ivanhoe Pictures are John Penotti, Kilian Kerwin, and Michael Hogan. Producing are Robert Friedland, Sidney Kimmel, and Brian Kornreich for Ivanhoe Pictures.

    The deal was negotiated by Robert Jesuele on behalf of Golden Karavan and Brian Kornreich on behalf of Ivanhoe Pictures.

  • Film Bazaar: Saregama plans 100 films in five yrs; FB assures bigger role

    Film Bazaar: Saregama plans 100 films in five yrs; FB assures bigger role

    NEW DELHI: Kanwal Sethi’s Once Again (Work-In-Progress Lab) and Kabir Mehta’s (Film Bazaar Recommends) won Facebook Credits (ad coupons) worth US$ 10,000 (Rs 6.85 lakh) at the Film Bazaar at the 47th International Film Festival of India in Panaji.

    This was FB’s first collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation for its Film Bazaar which concluded on 24 November, although the Festival will conclude on 27 November.

    The Prasad Digital Intermediate award by Prasad Labs went to Ridham Janve’s Pahadi language film The Gold-Laden Sheep and the Sacred Mountain (Work-In-Progress Lab) and Sanal Kumar Sasidharan’s Malayalam film Sexy Durga (Film Bazaar Recommends).

    Facebook Head of Growth and Partnerships Kinshu Sinha said: “NFDC and Film Bazaar are emerging, both as a very powerful and strong forum for filmmakers and we are really proud to be associated with them. This is the first time we are sponsoring these awards but we would want to continue this and come again in a much bigger way the next year to support Film Bazaar and the filmmakers.”

    The winners were decided by the mentors of the Work In Progress Lab and the jury of Film Bazaar Recommends, which included Charles Tesson, Benjamin Illos, Paolo Bertolin, and Renata Santoro.

    WIP Lab Mentor Marco Muller who is Artistic Director of the International Film Festival and Awards, Macao said, “The first thing that I want to say on behalf of the jury is – Dear Nina Lath Gupta, please be well soon because your vision has been enhanced once again in this wonderful mission of Film Bazaar.”

    The Bazaar saw Sa Re Ga Ma announcing that it was planning to produce 100 films in the next five years, and Richie Mehta was planning to shoot two projects in Delhi (Film Office).

    Dina Dattani is to work on A Foolish Man (Co-Production Market) as executive producer

    Abhay Deol picked three Film Bazaar titles, Leeches, Labour of Love and Kaagaz Ki Kashti for digital release.

    Over 1300 delegates including 954 Indian delegates and 212 International delegates and press attended the four-day Film Bazaar which had 134 buyers present this year from over 34 countries. The Producers’ Lab saw over 50 entries and the Viewing Room had the maximum number of entries so far with 202 films, ‘Film Bazaar Recommends’ featured 32 films, Industry Screenings saw 40 films and Virtual Reality emerged as one of the major attractions at the Film Bazaar.

    Elated over the outcome of the Bazaar, NFDC MD Nina Lath Gupta said: “I would attribute the success of Film Bazaar to the fact that it does not simply present projects for investment and films for sale, but puts in a great deal of effort into the development of projects and training of filmmakers – developing scripts in labs, pitching and presentation training in the Co-Production Market, Work-in-Progress Labs that look at the first cut of a film and not only advise on its strengths and flaws but even assist in editing, advising on possible reshoots etc, and finally presenting them in the Viewing Room where every distributor, buyer and festival programmer can view these films, contact the filmmaker and make a deal. We believe it is this approach that has contributed to the success of the Film Bazaar. The event is not simply a market – it is a complex amalgamation of training, development, promotion and curating a selection of good films for the consideration of the domestic and international market.”

    The ‘Open Pitch’ in the Co-Production Market (which was introduced in 2015) upped the ante with the introduction of ‘Video Presentations’ while pitching the CPM projects, with NFDC Film Bazaar probably being the only platform for filmmakers to do this.

    “I don’t think I have ever seen a video pitch like this happening in any other film market in the world,” German Producer Michael Henrichs said.

    Venice International Film Festival programmer Paolo Bertolin said, “Open Pitch is an important addition to the structuring of Film Bazaar; in particular, a very good way of creating interest in the projects in the Co-Production Market. Especially because it highlights what really the projects are representing, and what the directors and producers are looking for. It is easier for the decision-makers who are attending the Co-Production Market to decide on which projects they really need to meet or they are really interested in. They can get an immediate feel or vibe of how the people are dealing with their subjects with their way of making the projects first and then hopefully turning into a film, it should definitely become a permanent feature in the future.”

    Actor Renuka Shahane, whose debut directorial venture Tribhanga (Three Curve Bent) participated in the Open Pitch, said, “The video pitch at the NFDC Co-Production Market was a very useful tool for writers/directors because it not only gave the participating producers an exact idea of the tone and type of script we were pitching. It also gave it in a succinct spanner. It saved us a lot of trouble in trying to explain our work.”

    The Knowledge Series sessions at NFDC Film Bazaar 2016 culminated with a Masterclass by Producer Philip Lee, who spoke on ‘Mounting and Positioning the Epic Across Cultures’ In a freewheeling discussion spanning his work on critically acclaimed and box office hit films such as The Dark Knight, The Revenant, Cloud Atlas, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and most recently for Assassin’s Creed as executive producer, to be released 2016.

    Michel Reilhac, former Head of Film Acquisitions at Arte France who curated the VR NEXT sidebar at Cannes and Venice International Film Festival 2016 and has also directed 6 VR shorts did an engaging presentation on ‘Busting Myths, Immersive Technology and its role in Future Cinema Narratives’.

    Facebook Head of Media partnerships Saurabh Doshi’s session on ‘The Facebook Workshop, Facebook’s Guide to Filmmaking’ was another enlightening session, especially with the boom in online content being generated, and then promoted on Facebook.

  • Film Bazaar: Saregama plans 100 films in five yrs; FB assures bigger role

    Film Bazaar: Saregama plans 100 films in five yrs; FB assures bigger role

    NEW DELHI: Kanwal Sethi’s Once Again (Work-In-Progress Lab) and Kabir Mehta’s (Film Bazaar Recommends) won Facebook Credits (ad coupons) worth US$ 10,000 (Rs 6.85 lakh) at the Film Bazaar at the 47th International Film Festival of India in Panaji.

    This was FB’s first collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation for its Film Bazaar which concluded on 24 November, although the Festival will conclude on 27 November.

    The Prasad Digital Intermediate award by Prasad Labs went to Ridham Janve’s Pahadi language film The Gold-Laden Sheep and the Sacred Mountain (Work-In-Progress Lab) and Sanal Kumar Sasidharan’s Malayalam film Sexy Durga (Film Bazaar Recommends).

    Facebook Head of Growth and Partnerships Kinshu Sinha said: “NFDC and Film Bazaar are emerging, both as a very powerful and strong forum for filmmakers and we are really proud to be associated with them. This is the first time we are sponsoring these awards but we would want to continue this and come again in a much bigger way the next year to support Film Bazaar and the filmmakers.”

    The winners were decided by the mentors of the Work In Progress Lab and the jury of Film Bazaar Recommends, which included Charles Tesson, Benjamin Illos, Paolo Bertolin, and Renata Santoro.

    WIP Lab Mentor Marco Muller who is Artistic Director of the International Film Festival and Awards, Macao said, “The first thing that I want to say on behalf of the jury is – Dear Nina Lath Gupta, please be well soon because your vision has been enhanced once again in this wonderful mission of Film Bazaar.”

    The Bazaar saw Sa Re Ga Ma announcing that it was planning to produce 100 films in the next five years, and Richie Mehta was planning to shoot two projects in Delhi (Film Office).

    Dina Dattani is to work on A Foolish Man (Co-Production Market) as executive producer

    Abhay Deol picked three Film Bazaar titles, Leeches, Labour of Love and Kaagaz Ki Kashti for digital release.

    Over 1300 delegates including 954 Indian delegates and 212 International delegates and press attended the four-day Film Bazaar which had 134 buyers present this year from over 34 countries. The Producers’ Lab saw over 50 entries and the Viewing Room had the maximum number of entries so far with 202 films, ‘Film Bazaar Recommends’ featured 32 films, Industry Screenings saw 40 films and Virtual Reality emerged as one of the major attractions at the Film Bazaar.

    Elated over the outcome of the Bazaar, NFDC MD Nina Lath Gupta said: “I would attribute the success of Film Bazaar to the fact that it does not simply present projects for investment and films for sale, but puts in a great deal of effort into the development of projects and training of filmmakers – developing scripts in labs, pitching and presentation training in the Co-Production Market, Work-in-Progress Labs that look at the first cut of a film and not only advise on its strengths and flaws but even assist in editing, advising on possible reshoots etc, and finally presenting them in the Viewing Room where every distributor, buyer and festival programmer can view these films, contact the filmmaker and make a deal. We believe it is this approach that has contributed to the success of the Film Bazaar. The event is not simply a market – it is a complex amalgamation of training, development, promotion and curating a selection of good films for the consideration of the domestic and international market.”

    The ‘Open Pitch’ in the Co-Production Market (which was introduced in 2015) upped the ante with the introduction of ‘Video Presentations’ while pitching the CPM projects, with NFDC Film Bazaar probably being the only platform for filmmakers to do this.

    “I don’t think I have ever seen a video pitch like this happening in any other film market in the world,” German Producer Michael Henrichs said.

    Venice International Film Festival programmer Paolo Bertolin said, “Open Pitch is an important addition to the structuring of Film Bazaar; in particular, a very good way of creating interest in the projects in the Co-Production Market. Especially because it highlights what really the projects are representing, and what the directors and producers are looking for. It is easier for the decision-makers who are attending the Co-Production Market to decide on which projects they really need to meet or they are really interested in. They can get an immediate feel or vibe of how the people are dealing with their subjects with their way of making the projects first and then hopefully turning into a film, it should definitely become a permanent feature in the future.”

    Actor Renuka Shahane, whose debut directorial venture Tribhanga (Three Curve Bent) participated in the Open Pitch, said, “The video pitch at the NFDC Co-Production Market was a very useful tool for writers/directors because it not only gave the participating producers an exact idea of the tone and type of script we were pitching. It also gave it in a succinct spanner. It saved us a lot of trouble in trying to explain our work.”

    The Knowledge Series sessions at NFDC Film Bazaar 2016 culminated with a Masterclass by Producer Philip Lee, who spoke on ‘Mounting and Positioning the Epic Across Cultures’ In a freewheeling discussion spanning his work on critically acclaimed and box office hit films such as The Dark Knight, The Revenant, Cloud Atlas, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and most recently for Assassin’s Creed as executive producer, to be released 2016.

    Michel Reilhac, former Head of Film Acquisitions at Arte France who curated the VR NEXT sidebar at Cannes and Venice International Film Festival 2016 and has also directed 6 VR shorts did an engaging presentation on ‘Busting Myths, Immersive Technology and its role in Future Cinema Narratives’.

    Facebook Head of Media partnerships Saurabh Doshi’s session on ‘The Facebook Workshop, Facebook’s Guide to Filmmaking’ was another enlightening session, especially with the boom in online content being generated, and then promoted on Facebook.

  • ‘Siddharth’ bags German Star at Stuttgart Indian Film Festival

    ‘Siddharth’ bags German Star at Stuttgart Indian Film Festival

    NEW DELHI: Richie Mehta’s Siddharth won the German Star of India award in the feature film category at the recent 11th Indian Film Festival Stuttgart which attracted several non-Indians to see the films.

     

    The award of 4000 euros is given to a film that narrates a very serious political theme in a very poetic and humorous way.

     

    The German Star of India award in the short film category went to Tamaash by Satyanshu and Devanshu Singh. The prize was of 1000 Euros. Tamaash is the story of Anzar, a poor performer at school who is scorned by his elders. He is expected to fare better than Sadat, a high scorer in class. Anzar seeks the help of a mysterious stranger, but following the new guide becomes increasingly tough for him and his kid brother.

     

    In the documentary category, the winner was Millions can Walk by Swiss director Chistoph Schaub and Swiss-Indian director Kamal Musale. The documentary traces hundreds and thousands of Indian men and women – indigenous inhabitants and landless farmers –  who demanded their right to existence by undertaking a 400 kilometre protest march from Gwalior to Delhi in 2012.

     

    The Director’s Vision Award went to Lakshmi by the renowned Nagesh Kukunoor while the equally well known Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar got the Audience Award for Astu.