Exclusive: Cape (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) and Janet Yang Productions announced the completed films of the four winners of the Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge for Asian and Pacific Islander Women and Non-Binary Filmmakers.
The four short films will premiere February 25th at AMC Theater in Santa Monica. Additionally, the four filmmakers were recognized earlier this week during the Asian Women Empowered luncheon as part of the Asia Society’s 2024 U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit.
The four filmmaker grantees and their funded short films are:
Only In This World by Dorothy Xiao | When an empty nester loses her ability to summon her daughter back from the afterlife, she is forced to find help from the person she resents the most: her ex-husband’s mistress.
You Left Me A Ghost by Kristy Choi | A strange spirit reunites Bennie Kim with her brother in a heaven for those who have died by suicide.
The four short films will premiere February 25th at AMC Theater in Santa Monica. Additionally, the four filmmakers were recognized earlier this week during the Asian Women Empowered luncheon as part of the Asia Society’s 2024 U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit.
The four filmmaker grantees and their funded short films are:
Only In This World by Dorothy Xiao | When an empty nester loses her ability to summon her daughter back from the afterlife, she is forced to find help from the person she resents the most: her ex-husband’s mistress.
You Left Me A Ghost by Kristy Choi | A strange spirit reunites Bennie Kim with her brother in a heaven for those who have died by suicide.
- 2/23/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
1497 has selected three finalist for their Features Lab.
The Lab’s first year was held virtually, and the second year was hybrid, held virtually and in-person. For its third year, 1497 is conducting the Lab as an in-person, immersive, artistic retreat in Malibu, California, during which each Mentee will be paired with a pod of four Mentors from whom they will receive script feedback and career guidance. Mentees will also work with filmmaker and veteran script consultant Adrienne Weiss to further develop their scripts, with a particular emphasis on the emotional journey of their stories.
“We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we started the 1497 Features Lab to empower writers in the South Asian diaspora to tell whatever stories they want to tell, regardless of the societal, industry, or stereotypical expectations that so often confine writers in our community to certain genres and cultural storylines,” Ahmed, Khan,...
The Lab’s first year was held virtually, and the second year was hybrid, held virtually and in-person. For its third year, 1497 is conducting the Lab as an in-person, immersive, artistic retreat in Malibu, California, during which each Mentee will be paired with a pod of four Mentors from whom they will receive script feedback and career guidance. Mentees will also work with filmmaker and veteran script consultant Adrienne Weiss to further develop their scripts, with a particular emphasis on the emotional journey of their stories.
“We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we started the 1497 Features Lab to empower writers in the South Asian diaspora to tell whatever stories they want to tell, regardless of the societal, industry, or stereotypical expectations that so often confine writers in our community to certain genres and cultural storylines,” Ahmed, Khan,...
- 9/27/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
1497 has revealed the finalists of its third annual Features Lab. See their bios below.
The lab is designed to elevate and develop screenplays by writers of South Asian descent, while providing career support. It aims to empower writers in the South Asian diaspora to write whatever stories they feel compelled to tell, unbounded by genre, cultural content, geographic location, or any other stereotypical expectation.
Established in 2020 by Adeel Ahmed, Lipica Shah, and Kamran Khan, 1497 has been steadfast in its commitment to championing and empowering South Asian talent, countering their historical marginalization and year preceding colonization in what is now recognized as South Asia.
Sponsored by Final Draft, the 2023 Features Lab will guide three Mentees through a comprehensive, multi-tiered journey during a five-day retreat in Malibu. This transformative process will begin with working with Sundance filmmaker and seasoned script consultant Adrienne Weiss, to bolster the refinement of their feature film scripts.
The lab is designed to elevate and develop screenplays by writers of South Asian descent, while providing career support. It aims to empower writers in the South Asian diaspora to write whatever stories they feel compelled to tell, unbounded by genre, cultural content, geographic location, or any other stereotypical expectation.
Established in 2020 by Adeel Ahmed, Lipica Shah, and Kamran Khan, 1497 has been steadfast in its commitment to championing and empowering South Asian talent, countering their historical marginalization and year preceding colonization in what is now recognized as South Asia.
Sponsored by Final Draft, the 2023 Features Lab will guide three Mentees through a comprehensive, multi-tiered journey during a five-day retreat in Malibu. This transformative process will begin with working with Sundance filmmaker and seasoned script consultant Adrienne Weiss, to bolster the refinement of their feature film scripts.
- 8/16/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
1497, the nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting South Asian filmmakers, has enlisted Mira Nair, Geeta Malik (India Sweets and Spices)and Minhal Baig (Hala) as mentors for its third Features Lab. Baig is returning after having also served as a mentor for last year’s lab, held virtually and in-person in New York.
The 2023 edition will move cross-country to Malibu for the first time, taking place Oct. 18 through 23, wherein a newly structured format each of the three Lab participants will be given a dedicated pod of experts — a filmmaker, a producer, a representative and a Lab alum — to help them with script development and career guidance. In addition, they will receive (along with seven other finalists) the latest version of software from Final Draft, which is returning as Lab sponsor.
1497 has assembled a team of industry figures descended from all eight officially recognized South Asian countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives,...
The 2023 edition will move cross-country to Malibu for the first time, taking place Oct. 18 through 23, wherein a newly structured format each of the three Lab participants will be given a dedicated pod of experts — a filmmaker, a producer, a representative and a Lab alum — to help them with script development and career guidance. In addition, they will receive (along with seven other finalists) the latest version of software from Final Draft, which is returning as Lab sponsor.
1497 has assembled a team of industry figures descended from all eight officially recognized South Asian countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives,...
- 4/12/2023
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Further new releases include ‘Summering’, ‘White Noise’ and ‘The Infernal Machine’.
There are a modest number of openers over the next couple of weekends at the UK-Ireland box office in the build-up to Disney’s Avatar: The Way of Water landing on screens on December 16 and as festive fare settles in. This weekend’s widest new release is Violent Night, playing at 588 sites for Universal.
Tommy Wirkola’s alternative Christmas story sees Stranger Things star David Harbour play Kris Kringle during a particular trying Christmas Eve, with John Leguizamo as the leader of a group of dangerous mercenaries who take...
There are a modest number of openers over the next couple of weekends at the UK-Ireland box office in the build-up to Disney’s Avatar: The Way of Water landing on screens on December 16 and as festive fare settles in. This weekend’s widest new release is Violent Night, playing at 588 sites for Universal.
Tommy Wirkola’s alternative Christmas story sees Stranger Things star David Harbour play Kris Kringle during a particular trying Christmas Eve, with John Leguizamo as the leader of a group of dangerous mercenaries who take...
- 12/2/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Geeta Malik’s semi-autobiographical send-up of a snooty New Jersey community has interesting, awkward things to say about class
A young Indian American woman Alia (Sophia Ali) rolls her eyes at her mother’s generation in the affluent New Jersey community where she grew up. The aunties, she jokes, are a bunch of “sari-wearing zombies”, only interested in shopping and gossiping about who’s getting married and who’s getting fat. Alia’s assessment of her mum – and her own privilege – are the subject of this extremely likable mother-daughter comedy with a smart script from Geeta Malik, who has said in interviews her affectionate send-up is semi-autobiographical.
Alia is back home for the summer holidays planning to chill. Her dad Ranjit (Adil Hussain) is a successful doctor; her mum Sheila (Manisha Koirala) is devoted to keeping up appearances. All the families in their world take it in turns to throw fancy parties,...
A young Indian American woman Alia (Sophia Ali) rolls her eyes at her mother’s generation in the affluent New Jersey community where she grew up. The aunties, she jokes, are a bunch of “sari-wearing zombies”, only interested in shopping and gossiping about who’s getting married and who’s getting fat. Alia’s assessment of her mum – and her own privilege – are the subject of this extremely likable mother-daughter comedy with a smart script from Geeta Malik, who has said in interviews her affectionate send-up is semi-autobiographical.
Alia is back home for the summer holidays planning to chill. Her dad Ranjit (Adil Hussain) is a successful doctor; her mum Sheila (Manisha Koirala) is devoted to keeping up appearances. All the families in their world take it in turns to throw fancy parties,...
- 11/29/2022
- by Cath Clarke
- The Guardian - Film News
Click here to read the full article.
The first time Nazanin Boniadi attended a protest in her native Tehran, Iran, she wasn’t yet born.
“I was in my mother’s uterus,” explained the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star while delivering the keynote Wednesday during the Academy Women’s Luncheon presented by Chanel. “She was 19 and bravely joined the tens of thousands of protestors who opposed the newly forming theocracy. My parents realized the dangers of raising a daughter in a social, political and legal climate that was growing increasingly oppressive, particularly towards women and girls. Although they were granted political asylum in London when I was just three weeks old, the challenges facing women in Iran became ingrained in my psyche.”
Experiencing the Iranian Revolution — at least through the womb — set the stage for a lifetime of activism, and Boniadi said advocating for the women...
The first time Nazanin Boniadi attended a protest in her native Tehran, Iran, she wasn’t yet born.
“I was in my mother’s uterus,” explained the Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star while delivering the keynote Wednesday during the Academy Women’s Luncheon presented by Chanel. “She was 19 and bravely joined the tens of thousands of protestors who opposed the newly forming theocracy. My parents realized the dangers of raising a daughter in a social, political and legal climate that was growing increasingly oppressive, particularly towards women and girls. Although they were granted political asylum in London when I was just three weeks old, the challenges facing women in Iran became ingrained in my psyche.”
Experiencing the Iranian Revolution — at least through the womb — set the stage for a lifetime of activism, and Boniadi said advocating for the women...
- 11/17/2022
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The over-inflated Bollywood superhero fantasy “Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva” is the kind of pre-fabricated Hollywood-style event blockbuster that the Hindi-language film industry has been chasing after for years now, but somehow still hasn’t nailed.
This family-friendly action-adventure circles well-charted territory that was previously meandered about by other recent Hindi language superhero pics, like “Krrish” (2006), “Ra.One” (2011), and “Krrish 3” (2013).
The main selling points of “Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva,” which follows a formulaic plot to thwart an evil demigod, are its lavish special effects and McU-style branding. (The movie is the first in a planned “Astraverse” trilogy.) Neither the action scenes nor the musical numbers stand out though, and none of the characters or their performers transcend their expected roles.
Also Read:
‘My Policeman’ Review: Harry Styles’ LGBTQ Love-Triangle Tale Can’t Balance Time Periods
Released about a month and a half before Diwali, “Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva” still presents itself as a holiday-themed spectacular,...
This family-friendly action-adventure circles well-charted territory that was previously meandered about by other recent Hindi language superhero pics, like “Krrish” (2006), “Ra.One” (2011), and “Krrish 3” (2013).
The main selling points of “Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva,” which follows a formulaic plot to thwart an evil demigod, are its lavish special effects and McU-style branding. (The movie is the first in a planned “Astraverse” trilogy.) Neither the action scenes nor the musical numbers stand out though, and none of the characters or their performers transcend their expected roles.
Also Read:
‘My Policeman’ Review: Harry Styles’ LGBTQ Love-Triangle Tale Can’t Balance Time Periods
Released about a month and a half before Diwali, “Brahmāstra Part One: Shiva” still presents itself as a holiday-themed spectacular,...
- 11/4/2022
- by Simon Abrams
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Warner Bros. Television Group has announced the seven directors selected for the 2022 Wbtv Directors’ Workshop.
The 2022 edition will be the first in-person class of the workship since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Wbtv Directors’ Workshop launched in 2013 with the aim to discover new and innovative talent, to prepare directors from other creative fields for the transition to television, and to provide increased opportunities for women helmers and those from underrepresented groups. Since its founding, the Directors’ Workshop has helped to launch or further the TV directing careers of more than 60 women and/or people of color, according to Wbtv.
This year’s class was instructed by directors Bethany Rooney and Stacey K. Black.
Prior Directors’ Workshop graduates include Bola Ogun, Stacey Muhammad, Pamela Romanowsky, Marcus Stokes, Jennifer Phang, Alexis Ostrander, Sherwin Shilati, Michael Goi, Antonio Negret, Jude Weng, and Jaffar Mahmood, among many others.
The following participants, culled from more than 650 applicants, comprise the Class of 2022:
Kayla Compton is set to direct an episode of Warner Bros. Television/The CW’s DC drama The Flash. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, she has been writing and directing since the age of 8 and acting professionally in Los Angeles for 12 years. Kayla recently wrote and directed the short film In Training, which is currently on the festival circuit. She also currently plays the role of DC Super Hero Allegra Garcia on The Flash.
Claire Fowler, a Welsh writer and director, is set to direct an episode of Wbtv/Netflix’s Manifest. After studying at Oxford University, she made several documentaries focused on human rights before attending Columbia University’s M.F.A. program in film on a Fulbright scholarship. She has since participated in AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women, the Ryan Murphy Half program, and the Sony Directing program. Her short films have screened at more than 200 international film festivals, including Tribeca, London, Palm Springs and Outfest. In 2020, she won a BAFTA Cymru award for her short film Salam.
Tiffany Frances, a Taiwanese American writer and director, will direct an episode of Wbtv/The CW’s Kung Fu. She is an alum of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women, a Blackmagic Collective fellow, and a SeriesFest + Shondaland Women Director Mentorship Finalist. She wrote and directed an original film for Elle and Lexus that screened at the Elle Women in Hollywood event in October 2021. Her short Dot was selected for the Caz Matthews Fund. Her short film Hello from Taiwan won the Grand Jury Prize at the Taiwanese American Film Festival, Best Drama and Best Director at SeriesFest, and screened at MoMA. She has worked with Levi’s, Vogue, Citibank, Acura, Lancome, National Geographic, and more. She is currently developing two TV series as well as two feature films. Tiffany received her BA from Ucsd and her Mfa in Directing from the Art Center College of Design.
Calvin “Jai” Jamison Jr., a writer/director from Richmond, Va, will direct an episode of Wbtv/The CW’s Superman & Lois. He is an alum of Almanack Screenwriters (fka Nantucket Screenwriters Colony), is a Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellow, and a graduate of Hampton University, and American University’s Mfa Film program. His feature film Tri led to his selection for the Shoot Magazine New Director’s Showcase. Slave Cry, his most recent short film, won The Commonwealth Award at the Virginia Film Festival and screened at the 2021 Pan African Film Festival. He is currently a story editor on Superman & Lois.
Leon Lozano, an Oakland native, will direct an episode of Wbtv/The CW’s acclaimed drama All American: Homecoming. He is the founder of Son of Oakland Productions. His directing credits include Renée, an episode of Tales set to premiere this summer on BET Network, and the short film My Father Belize, which premiered at the 2021 Festival de Cannes Short Film Corner. Lozano is currently in post-production on his feature film A Little Hope for Chicago and his documentary short Prom Night Flex.
Geeta Malik will be directing an upcoming episode of the breakout Wbtv/ABC hit comedy Abbott Elementary. Malik is an award-winning writer and director whose accolades include the inaugural Academy Gold Fellowship for Women and the Academy Nicholl Fellowship. She won the Austin Film Festival Comedy Screenplay Award for her feature script Dinner with Friends, later retitled to India Sweet and Spices, which she also directed. Starring Bollywood superstar Manisha Koirala, Adil Hussain, Sophia Ali, and Rish Shah, India Sweet and Spice premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival, was released theatrically by Bleecker Street, and is currently streaming on Hulu.
Alvaro Ron is set to direct an episode of Wbtv/The CW’s Superman & Lois. He is an award-winning filmmaker and environmentalist, and an alum of UCLA, Nalip’s Latino Lens Program, the Sony TV Diverse Directors Program and the Berlinale Talents. Some of his short films include Swimming in the Desert and The Red Thunder (with more than 300 film festival selections). Alvaro Ron has directed critically acclaimed international TV series like Hernán for Amazon, and Palomares and Velvet Collection for Netflix, for which he received a Platino Award nomination.
The 2022 edition will be the first in-person class of the workship since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Wbtv Directors’ Workshop launched in 2013 with the aim to discover new and innovative talent, to prepare directors from other creative fields for the transition to television, and to provide increased opportunities for women helmers and those from underrepresented groups. Since its founding, the Directors’ Workshop has helped to launch or further the TV directing careers of more than 60 women and/or people of color, according to Wbtv.
This year’s class was instructed by directors Bethany Rooney and Stacey K. Black.
Prior Directors’ Workshop graduates include Bola Ogun, Stacey Muhammad, Pamela Romanowsky, Marcus Stokes, Jennifer Phang, Alexis Ostrander, Sherwin Shilati, Michael Goi, Antonio Negret, Jude Weng, and Jaffar Mahmood, among many others.
The following participants, culled from more than 650 applicants, comprise the Class of 2022:
Kayla Compton is set to direct an episode of Warner Bros. Television/The CW’s DC drama The Flash. Originally from Jacksonville, Florida, she has been writing and directing since the age of 8 and acting professionally in Los Angeles for 12 years. Kayla recently wrote and directed the short film In Training, which is currently on the festival circuit. She also currently plays the role of DC Super Hero Allegra Garcia on The Flash.
Claire Fowler, a Welsh writer and director, is set to direct an episode of Wbtv/Netflix’s Manifest. After studying at Oxford University, she made several documentaries focused on human rights before attending Columbia University’s M.F.A. program in film on a Fulbright scholarship. She has since participated in AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women, the Ryan Murphy Half program, and the Sony Directing program. Her short films have screened at more than 200 international film festivals, including Tribeca, London, Palm Springs and Outfest. In 2020, she won a BAFTA Cymru award for her short film Salam.
Tiffany Frances, a Taiwanese American writer and director, will direct an episode of Wbtv/The CW’s Kung Fu. She is an alum of the AFI Directing Workshop for Women, a Blackmagic Collective fellow, and a SeriesFest + Shondaland Women Director Mentorship Finalist. She wrote and directed an original film for Elle and Lexus that screened at the Elle Women in Hollywood event in October 2021. Her short Dot was selected for the Caz Matthews Fund. Her short film Hello from Taiwan won the Grand Jury Prize at the Taiwanese American Film Festival, Best Drama and Best Director at SeriesFest, and screened at MoMA. She has worked with Levi’s, Vogue, Citibank, Acura, Lancome, National Geographic, and more. She is currently developing two TV series as well as two feature films. Tiffany received her BA from Ucsd and her Mfa in Directing from the Art Center College of Design.
Calvin “Jai” Jamison Jr., a writer/director from Richmond, Va, will direct an episode of Wbtv/The CW’s Superman & Lois. He is an alum of Almanack Screenwriters (fka Nantucket Screenwriters Colony), is a Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Fellow, and a graduate of Hampton University, and American University’s Mfa Film program. His feature film Tri led to his selection for the Shoot Magazine New Director’s Showcase. Slave Cry, his most recent short film, won The Commonwealth Award at the Virginia Film Festival and screened at the 2021 Pan African Film Festival. He is currently a story editor on Superman & Lois.
Leon Lozano, an Oakland native, will direct an episode of Wbtv/The CW’s acclaimed drama All American: Homecoming. He is the founder of Son of Oakland Productions. His directing credits include Renée, an episode of Tales set to premiere this summer on BET Network, and the short film My Father Belize, which premiered at the 2021 Festival de Cannes Short Film Corner. Lozano is currently in post-production on his feature film A Little Hope for Chicago and his documentary short Prom Night Flex.
Geeta Malik will be directing an upcoming episode of the breakout Wbtv/ABC hit comedy Abbott Elementary. Malik is an award-winning writer and director whose accolades include the inaugural Academy Gold Fellowship for Women and the Academy Nicholl Fellowship. She won the Austin Film Festival Comedy Screenplay Award for her feature script Dinner with Friends, later retitled to India Sweet and Spices, which she also directed. Starring Bollywood superstar Manisha Koirala, Adil Hussain, Sophia Ali, and Rish Shah, India Sweet and Spice premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival, was released theatrically by Bleecker Street, and is currently streaming on Hulu.
Alvaro Ron is set to direct an episode of Wbtv/The CW’s Superman & Lois. He is an award-winning filmmaker and environmentalist, and an alum of UCLA, Nalip’s Latino Lens Program, the Sony TV Diverse Directors Program and the Berlinale Talents. Some of his short films include Swimming in the Desert and The Red Thunder (with more than 300 film festival selections). Alvaro Ron has directed critically acclaimed international TV series like Hernán for Amazon, and Palomares and Velvet Collection for Netflix, for which he received a Platino Award nomination.
- 6/23/2022
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
In “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” Francie Nolan sat on her fire escape, ate peppermint wafers, spied on her neighbors, and read books. In Aurora, I sat on my roof, ate pretzels, spied on my neighbors, and read “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn.” I felt seen by Francie Nolan and it surprised me when people were surprised by the fact that I related to her. At a certain point, I understood that people assumed I’d have more in common with the slum kids in “City of Joy” than Francie. No matter what came out of my mouth, my skin had already spoken for me.
I grew up with films, books, art and music from all over the world and felt kinship with so many people who didn’t necessarily share my heritage. But I became a filmmaker because I wanted to be a part of the movement I saw...
I grew up with films, books, art and music from all over the world and felt kinship with so many people who didn’t necessarily share my heritage. But I became a filmmaker because I wanted to be a part of the movement I saw...
- 5/30/2022
- by Geeta Malik
- Variety Film + TV
My parents were born and raised in Kolkata, India, and experienced the golden age of Bengali cinema. They could see themselves in characters onscreen solving mysteries like Soumitra Chatterjee in “Feluda,” courting like legendary stars Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen, and living everyday village life as seen through the poignant lens of Satyajit Ray.
As a first generation Bengali-American girl, I grew up with two different cultures in a suburban, Irish-Catholic neighborhood. I went to Catholic school for six years, but I also went to Hindu temple camp and spent most of my summer vacations in Kolkata. I speak fluent Bengali and slayed my AP English exam. I danced Bharatnatyam for over 10 years while taking ballet and hip-hop.
I watched a handful of Bollywood films growing up, but I didn’t speak or understand Hindi and couldn’t really connect to the stories. Something clicked when I saw “Bend It Like Beckham,...
As a first generation Bengali-American girl, I grew up with two different cultures in a suburban, Irish-Catholic neighborhood. I went to Catholic school for six years, but I also went to Hindu temple camp and spent most of my summer vacations in Kolkata. I speak fluent Bengali and slayed my AP English exam. I danced Bharatnatyam for over 10 years while taking ballet and hip-hop.
I watched a handful of Bollywood films growing up, but I didn’t speak or understand Hindi and couldn’t really connect to the stories. Something clicked when I saw “Bend It Like Beckham,...
- 5/27/2022
- by Sujata Day
- Variety Film + TV
Writer-director Geeta Malik’s “India Sweets and Spices” is set in the milieu of the Indian community in a New Jersey suburb, where the wealthy families with their weekend parties look down on the working-class fellow South Asians. The pic opened at Tribeca last year and played in theaters and will be on Hulu after March 8. This interview was edited for clarity and space.
Where did you get the idea for this film from? Did you go to these kinds of parties?
I went to these kinds of parties very often as a child. I grew up in Aurora, Colo., and the community there at the time was smallish, it wasn’t a huge community. We’d go to our friends’ and our neighbors’ dinner parties. It was just a way to keep up with the community and eat our own food and just relax and enjoy the company of...
Where did you get the idea for this film from? Did you go to these kinds of parties?
I went to these kinds of parties very often as a child. I grew up in Aurora, Colo., and the community there at the time was smallish, it wasn’t a huge community. We’d go to our friends’ and our neighbors’ dinner parties. It was just a way to keep up with the community and eat our own food and just relax and enjoy the company of...
- 3/1/2022
- by Shalini Dore
- Variety Film + TV
The award-winning comedy India Sweets And Spices has just been released today to on-demand platforms for audiences to watch at home. Starring Manisha Koirala and Sophia Ali, the widely acclaimed crowd-pleaser is now available on digital VOD platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple, Google Play, Vudu and others and is the perfect choice for movie night.
As our rave review says, “Filled with brilliant performances, especially Manisha Koirala who is outstanding, India Sweets and Spices is a unique film that is funny, moving, romantic, thought-provoking, and even more. It is not to be missed.”
A glimpse into the life of an Indian American family, India Sweets and Spices focuses on the story of Alia Kapur (Sophia Ali), who returns home and the family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year at UCLA. She quickly discovers that she is ready to trade in the lavish Saturday-night dinner parties...
As our rave review says, “Filled with brilliant performances, especially Manisha Koirala who is outstanding, India Sweets and Spices is a unique film that is funny, moving, romantic, thought-provoking, and even more. It is not to be missed.”
A glimpse into the life of an Indian American family, India Sweets and Spices focuses on the story of Alia Kapur (Sophia Ali), who returns home and the family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year at UCLA. She quickly discovers that she is ready to trade in the lavish Saturday-night dinner parties...
- 12/8/2021
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
C’mon C’mon is distributor A24’s first platform release post pandemic, opening on five screens in New York (Angelika and Lincoln Square) and LA It’s s vote of confidence — launching in the strongest markets and letting word of mouth spread only works if there are signs of life. Specialty distributors say subtle signs there are, as more films open and stay in theaters longer.
Written and directed by Mike Mills and starring Joaquin Phoenix in his first feature star turn since Joker, it will move to circa 100 screens over the Thanksgiving holiday followed by a moderate expansion nationwide on Dec. 3. The well-reviewed Telluride hit (Deadline’s here) has a 92% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score.
C’mon C’mon is also the second of three significant black-and-white releases skedded this fall after Kenneth Branaugh’s Belfast last weekend and ahead of Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth opening Dec.
Written and directed by Mike Mills and starring Joaquin Phoenix in his first feature star turn since Joker, it will move to circa 100 screens over the Thanksgiving holiday followed by a moderate expansion nationwide on Dec. 3. The well-reviewed Telluride hit (Deadline’s here) has a 92% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score.
C’mon C’mon is also the second of three significant black-and-white releases skedded this fall after Kenneth Branaugh’s Belfast last weekend and ahead of Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth opening Dec.
- 11/19/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
With over 90 films to her career, Manisha Koirala is acknowledged as one of the finest Indian actresses to grace the big screen. With each new movie and character, the actress would completely disappear into her role in films like 1942: A Love Story, Khamoshi: The Musical, Dil Se, Company, and most recently Lust Stories and Sanju. Earning rave reviews for her work, audiences are always eager to see what brilliance she will bring to the big screen and this newest film does not disappoint. She is outstanding once again.
Directed by Geeta Malik, India Sweets and Spices is an entertaining film, often funny, and truly thought-provoking. It gives a glimpse of the life of an Indian American family. Ms. Koirala takes on the role of Sheila, a perfectionist, who is very proper and always acts in the manner that she thinks is the right way to be in her life.
Directed by Geeta Malik, India Sweets and Spices is an entertaining film, often funny, and truly thought-provoking. It gives a glimpse of the life of an Indian American family. Ms. Koirala takes on the role of Sheila, a perfectionist, who is very proper and always acts in the manner that she thinks is the right way to be in her life.
- 11/19/2021
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Sophia Ali (Grey’s Anatomy), is making her debut into films in a huge way. She is the lead character in the Geeta Malik directed film India Sweets and Spices. Her character is the central protagonist and has to carry the vibrant, often funny, always thought-provoking film on her shoulders, and she does it so well.
First, let’s set the scene…India Sweets and Spices follows the summer vacation of Alia Kapur (Sophia Ali). She has returned home to Ruby Hill, New Jersey, a posh suburban oasis of mini-mansions, backyard swimming pools, and luxury cars. However, for the first time in her life, Alia wonders if this is all there is to life. After a year at UCLA, she is ready to trade in the lavish Saturday-night dinner parties and gossiping “aunties” of her community for a more authentic life. During the course of the summer, she uncovers some secrets...
First, let’s set the scene…India Sweets and Spices follows the summer vacation of Alia Kapur (Sophia Ali). She has returned home to Ruby Hill, New Jersey, a posh suburban oasis of mini-mansions, backyard swimming pools, and luxury cars. However, for the first time in her life, Alia wonders if this is all there is to life. After a year at UCLA, she is ready to trade in the lavish Saturday-night dinner parties and gossiping “aunties” of her community for a more authentic life. During the course of the summer, she uncovers some secrets...
- 11/18/2021
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Gigi Prtizker’s Madison Wells banner has a new look, intended to reflect the company’s commitment to “spotlighting stories for, by and about badass women, as well as people who love pushing boundaries.”
Founded in 2015 by Pritzker, Madison Wells’ focus has been on bringing meaningful stories to life via film, television, theatre and podcasting, with projects that have ranged projects have ranged from Broadway musicals “Million Dollar Quartet” and “Hadestown” to National Geographic’s limited series “Genius” to the immersive art experience “Nevermore Park.”
The veteran producer — whose personal resume also includes “Drive,” ”Green Street Hooligans,” “Ender’s Game” and “Hell or High Water” — tells Variety that the need for a fresh start was inspired by the happenings of the last 18 months, which she notes have been a period of “thoughtful reflection.”
“I wanted to take this opportunity to more sharply focus and articulate our purpose as storytellers,” Pritzker explained.
Founded in 2015 by Pritzker, Madison Wells’ focus has been on bringing meaningful stories to life via film, television, theatre and podcasting, with projects that have ranged projects have ranged from Broadway musicals “Million Dollar Quartet” and “Hadestown” to National Geographic’s limited series “Genius” to the immersive art experience “Nevermore Park.”
The veteran producer — whose personal resume also includes “Drive,” ”Green Street Hooligans,” “Ender’s Game” and “Hell or High Water” — tells Variety that the need for a fresh start was inspired by the happenings of the last 18 months, which she notes have been a period of “thoughtful reflection.”
“I wanted to take this opportunity to more sharply focus and articulate our purpose as storytellers,” Pritzker explained.
- 11/18/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Geeta Malik’s exceptional India Sweets and Spices is all set to open on November 19th in US theatres. The film has a fantastic cast that includes Sophia Ali, Deepti Gupta, Rish Shah, Amaran Shaikh, Ved Sapru, Anita Kalathara, Richa Chadha, and many others. It also features Bollywood superstars Manisha Koirala and Adil Hussain in outstanding performances.
India Sweets and Spices is a glimpse into the life of an Indian American family. It follows the story of Alia Kapur, who returns to her family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year away at college. She finds that she is ready to trade in the lavish Saturday-night dinner parties and gossiping “aunties” of her community for more, but what that is, she does not know. Along the way, many secrets are revealed, and it changes Alia, her mother Sophia (Manisha Koirala), and father Ranjit’s (Adil Hussain) lives forever...
India Sweets and Spices is a glimpse into the life of an Indian American family. It follows the story of Alia Kapur, who returns to her family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year away at college. She finds that she is ready to trade in the lavish Saturday-night dinner parties and gossiping “aunties” of her community for more, but what that is, she does not know. Along the way, many secrets are revealed, and it changes Alia, her mother Sophia (Manisha Koirala), and father Ranjit’s (Adil Hussain) lives forever...
- 11/17/2021
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Starring Manisha Koirala and Adil Hussain, the Geeta Malik directed film India Sweets and Spices opens in theatres in North America on November 19th. Featuring Sophia Ali, the cast also includes Rish Shah, Deepti Gupta, Ved Sapru, Anita Kalathara, Richa Chandra, among many others.
A glimpse into the life of an Indian American family, India Sweets and Spices focuses on the story of Alia Kapur (Sophia Ali), who returns home and the family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year at UCLA. She quickly discovers that she is ready to trade in the lavish Saturday-night dinner parties and gossiping “aunties” of her community for a more authentic, worthwhile existence — even if she doesn’t quite know what that looks like yet. However, during her summer stay, Alia accidentally uncovers some family secrets about her straight-laced mom Sheila (Manisha Koirala) and her seemingly perfect dad Ranjit (Adil Hussain) that...
A glimpse into the life of an Indian American family, India Sweets and Spices focuses on the story of Alia Kapur (Sophia Ali), who returns home and the family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year at UCLA. She quickly discovers that she is ready to trade in the lavish Saturday-night dinner parties and gossiping “aunties” of her community for a more authentic, worthwhile existence — even if she doesn’t quite know what that looks like yet. However, during her summer stay, Alia accidentally uncovers some family secrets about her straight-laced mom Sheila (Manisha Koirala) and her seemingly perfect dad Ranjit (Adil Hussain) that...
- 11/15/2021
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Haley Hope Bartels (Pumping Black), Karin delaPeña Collison (Coming of Age), Byron Hamel (Shade of the Grapefruit Tree), R.J. Daniel Hanna (Shelter Animal) and Laura Kosann (The Ideal Woman) are the screenwriters and scripts chosen as the winners of the 2021 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition, AMPAS announced today.
Each of the five fellows will receive a $35,000 prize, along with mentorship from an Academy member throughout their fellowship year, which will see them complete a feature-length screenplay. (The Academy will acquire no rights to the works of its fellows and does not involve itself commercially in any way with their completed scripts.)
From November 8-12, one fellow per day will be featured on the Academy’s YouTube channel, in conversations with filmmakers Destin Daniel Cretton, Phil Lord, Our Lady J, Rawson Marshall Thurber and Olivia Wilde, and other content.
Bartels, Collison, Hamel, Hanna and Kosann’s scripts were chosen from...
Each of the five fellows will receive a $35,000 prize, along with mentorship from an Academy member throughout their fellowship year, which will see them complete a feature-length screenplay. (The Academy will acquire no rights to the works of its fellows and does not involve itself commercially in any way with their completed scripts.)
From November 8-12, one fellow per day will be featured on the Academy’s YouTube channel, in conversations with filmmakers Destin Daniel Cretton, Phil Lord, Our Lady J, Rawson Marshall Thurber and Olivia Wilde, and other content.
Bartels, Collison, Hamel, Hanna and Kosann’s scripts were chosen from...
- 11/8/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Bleecker Street has landed U.S. rights to “Montana Story,” a Western drama starring Haley Lu Richardson.
The movie had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival to positive reviews. IndieWire praised “Montana Story” as “a patient, captivating portrait of the past that stays with us long after the wind stops blowing.” Bleecker Street plans to release it in theaters sometime in 2022.
Scott McGehee and David Siegel wrote and directed “Montana Story,” which co-stars Owen Teague, Gilbert Owuor, Kimberly Guerrero, Eugene Brave Rock and Asivak Koostachin. The neo-Western centers on two estranged siblings (Richardson and Teague), who return home to the sprawling ranch where they were raised.
“David and Scott’s film cuts to the quick of the pain haunting this American family,” said Andrew Karpen, CEO of Bleecker Street. “As their story unfolds, two siblings portrayed beautifully by Haley and Owen, find their own strength in the...
The movie had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival to positive reviews. IndieWire praised “Montana Story” as “a patient, captivating portrait of the past that stays with us long after the wind stops blowing.” Bleecker Street plans to release it in theaters sometime in 2022.
Scott McGehee and David Siegel wrote and directed “Montana Story,” which co-stars Owen Teague, Gilbert Owuor, Kimberly Guerrero, Eugene Brave Rock and Asivak Koostachin. The neo-Western centers on two estranged siblings (Richardson and Teague), who return home to the sprawling ranch where they were raised.
“David and Scott’s film cuts to the quick of the pain haunting this American family,” said Andrew Karpen, CEO of Bleecker Street. “As their story unfolds, two siblings portrayed beautifully by Haley and Owen, find their own strength in the...
- 11/3/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Bleecker Street has landed North American rights to “Sundown,” a suspenseful drama about family and privilege.
Filmmaker Michel Franco (” After Lucia”) wrote and directed the movie, which will be released in theaters sometime in 2022.
“Sundown” — starring Tim Roth, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Iazua Larios and Henry Goodman — follows a wealthy British family on a vacation abruptly cut short in Acapulco. When one relative disrupts the family’s tight-knit order, simmering tensions threaten to expose long-gestating rifts.
It premiered at Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival to solid reviews. Variety’s chief film critic Peter Debruge praised “Sundown,” calling it the “high-minded director’s most successful film to date.”
“‘Sundown’ is an intricate, unconventional puzzle — a mystery, complete with murder, in which the solution isn’t nearly so important as the process of putting it all together,” Debruge wrote in his review.
Franco says he hopes the movie sparks a dialogue.
Filmmaker Michel Franco (” After Lucia”) wrote and directed the movie, which will be released in theaters sometime in 2022.
“Sundown” — starring Tim Roth, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Iazua Larios and Henry Goodman — follows a wealthy British family on a vacation abruptly cut short in Acapulco. When one relative disrupts the family’s tight-knit order, simmering tensions threaten to expose long-gestating rifts.
It premiered at Venice Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival to solid reviews. Variety’s chief film critic Peter Debruge praised “Sundown,” calling it the “high-minded director’s most successful film to date.”
“‘Sundown’ is an intricate, unconventional puzzle — a mystery, complete with murder, in which the solution isn’t nearly so important as the process of putting it all together,” Debruge wrote in his review.
Franco says he hopes the movie sparks a dialogue.
- 10/26/2021
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Festival
The 65th BFI London Film Festival, which concluded Oct. 17, attracted crowds for in-person events and virtually. The festival unspooled over 12 days across London venues, 10 partner cinema venues around the U.K. and online. There were more than 139,000 physical attendances at screenings and events and over 152,000 virtual attendances.
The festival closed with the European premiere of “The Tragedy of Macbeth” at new festival venue, the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall with director Joel Coen and key cast, including Frances McDormand, in attendance.
There was a sting in the tail, however, as two people who attended the closing film and after party tested positive for Covid-19, compelling the BFI to send letters to attendees informing them about this. The positive tests came as no surprise as the U.K. is experiencing a dramatic surge in cases currently.
The array of celebrities who attended the festival in person included Jay Z,...
The 65th BFI London Film Festival, which concluded Oct. 17, attracted crowds for in-person events and virtually. The festival unspooled over 12 days across London venues, 10 partner cinema venues around the U.K. and online. There were more than 139,000 physical attendances at screenings and events and over 152,000 virtual attendances.
The festival closed with the European premiere of “The Tragedy of Macbeth” at new festival venue, the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall with director Joel Coen and key cast, including Frances McDormand, in attendance.
There was a sting in the tail, however, as two people who attended the closing film and after party tested positive for Covid-19, compelling the BFI to send letters to attendees informing them about this. The positive tests came as no surprise as the U.K. is experiencing a dramatic surge in cases currently.
The array of celebrities who attended the festival in person included Jay Z,...
- 10/25/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
"What if we are who we are, and then everything changes... and we don't recognize ourselves anymore." Bleecker Street Films has debuted an official trailer for an amusing romantic comedy titled India Sweets and Spices, the second feature from filmmaker Geeta Malik. After returning from college to her family's posh suburban New Jersey home, Alia Kapur upends their well-ordered life with her brash independence. She also falls for the son of the owners of a new local Indian grocery. Alia's surprise arrival at home turns to rebellion when she uncovers secrets about both her parents that push her toward a daring and ultimately hilarious confrontation. Sophia Ali (also seen in the Uncharted trailer) stars as Alia, with a cast including Manisha Koirala, Adil Hussain, Rish Shah, Deepti Gupta, Ved Sapru, and also Anita Kalathara. They're trying to marketing this as the Crazy Rich Asians but for an Indian family instead.
- 10/21/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Presented by the California Film Institute, the 44th Mill Valley Film Festival runs October 7-17, 2021. The Mvff is an acclaimed eleven-day cinema event celebrating the best in American independent and world cinema. Located just north of San Francisco, it’s known as a filmmakers’ festival, and the West Coast launch pad for many Academy Award®-winning films, annually showcasing 200+ films from over 50 countries. The Mvff creates a community that celebrates the best in international film as well as Tributes and Spotlights with major film talents. Below, we’ve got the whole roster of their Asian / Asian American film slate.
Features
Anima (Mo Er Dao Ga) A tale of tested fraternal bonds and ecological catastrophe shot on location in Mongolia’s national parklands, writer-director Cao Jinling’s gorgeous, thrilling drama forces viewers to ask themselves: What happens when we disrupt the harmony of our world? And how can we restore the balance?...
Features
Anima (Mo Er Dao Ga) A tale of tested fraternal bonds and ecological catastrophe shot on location in Mongolia’s national parklands, writer-director Cao Jinling’s gorgeous, thrilling drama forces viewers to ask themselves: What happens when we disrupt the harmony of our world? And how can we restore the balance?...
- 9/13/2021
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Bleecker Street has acquired the U.S. rights to Geeta Malik’s “India Sweets and Spices,” premiering in theaters on Nov. 19.
The film, which debuted at Tribeca Film Festival, follows Alia Kapur (Sophia Ali) as she returns to her family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year away at college and turns their well-ordered life upside down. When she befriends Varun (Rish Shah), the handsome son of the new owners of the local Indian grocery store, she invites him to a family dinner party where family secrets fly.
Manisha Koirala, Adil Hussain, Deepti Gupta and Ved Sapru also star in the humorous coming-of-age tale, produced and financed by Madison Wells and Sk Global Entertainment, and producers Naomi Despres, Sidney Kimmel, John Penotti and Gigi Pritzker. Adrian Alperovich, Kilian Kerwin, Mark O’Connor, Bruce Toll and Rachel Shane executive produce.
The deal was brokered between Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy of Bleecker Street and CAA,...
The film, which debuted at Tribeca Film Festival, follows Alia Kapur (Sophia Ali) as she returns to her family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year away at college and turns their well-ordered life upside down. When she befriends Varun (Rish Shah), the handsome son of the new owners of the local Indian grocery store, she invites him to a family dinner party where family secrets fly.
Manisha Koirala, Adil Hussain, Deepti Gupta and Ved Sapru also star in the humorous coming-of-age tale, produced and financed by Madison Wells and Sk Global Entertainment, and producers Naomi Despres, Sidney Kimmel, John Penotti and Gigi Pritzker. Adrian Alperovich, Kilian Kerwin, Mark O’Connor, Bruce Toll and Rachel Shane executive produce.
The deal was brokered between Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy of Bleecker Street and CAA,...
- 9/13/2021
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Bleecker Street announced on Monday that it acquired the rights to the coming-of-age comedy “India Sweets and Spices,” which is written and directed by Geeta Malik and stars “Uncharted” actress Sophia Ali. It premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and is set for release on November 19.
Ali plays Alia Kapur, an Indian-American college student who returns to her upscale family in New Jersey and soon upends her family’s orderly life with her newfound independence, especially after she discovers secrets about her parents during a family dinner with the son of the local Indian grocery store owners. Manisha Koirala, Adil Hussain, Rish Shah, Deepti Gupta, and Ved Sapru also star.
“’India Sweets and Spices’ is a film so close to my heart, and I’m thrilled to be working with such a passionate team at Bleecker Street,” said writer/director Geeta Malik. “I know we’re in great hands for...
Ali plays Alia Kapur, an Indian-American college student who returns to her upscale family in New Jersey and soon upends her family’s orderly life with her newfound independence, especially after she discovers secrets about her parents during a family dinner with the son of the local Indian grocery store owners. Manisha Koirala, Adil Hussain, Rish Shah, Deepti Gupta, and Ved Sapru also star.
“’India Sweets and Spices’ is a film so close to my heart, and I’m thrilled to be working with such a passionate team at Bleecker Street,” said writer/director Geeta Malik. “I know we’re in great hands for...
- 9/13/2021
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
Bleecker Street has landed the U.S. rights to filmmaker Geeta Malik’s new comedy India Sweets and Spices, which made its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June. A theatrical release of November 19 has been set.
In the movie, Alia Kapur (Sophia Ali) returns to her family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year away at college and upends their well-ordered life with her brash independence. After befriending Varun (Rish Shah), the handsome son of the new owners of the local Indian grocery, she invites his family to a dinner party where family secrets are revealed. Alia’s surprise turns to rebellion when she uncovers secrets about both her parents that push her toward a daring and ultimately hilarious confrontation. Also starring are Manisha Koirala, Adil Hussain, Deepti Gupta and Ved Sapru.
“India Sweets and Spices is a film so close to my heart, and...
In the movie, Alia Kapur (Sophia Ali) returns to her family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year away at college and upends their well-ordered life with her brash independence. After befriending Varun (Rish Shah), the handsome son of the new owners of the local Indian grocery, she invites his family to a dinner party where family secrets are revealed. Alia’s surprise turns to rebellion when she uncovers secrets about both her parents that push her toward a daring and ultimately hilarious confrontation. Also starring are Manisha Koirala, Adil Hussain, Deepti Gupta and Ved Sapru.
“India Sweets and Spices is a film so close to my heart, and...
- 9/13/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Bleecker Street has nabbed the U.S. rights to writer-director Geeta Malik’s comedy India Sweets and Spices, which stars Sophia Ali, Manisha Koirala, Adil Hussain, Rish Shah and Deepti Gupta.
Bleecker Street plans a Nov. 19 theatrical release for the Indian American coming-of-age tale that debuted at Tribeca. India Sweets and Spices follows Alia Kapur, played by Ali, as she returns to her family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year at college and upends their lives with her brash independence.
Her rebellion climaxes at a dinner party where family secrets are revealed that push Alia toward a daring and ultimately ...
Bleecker Street plans a Nov. 19 theatrical release for the Indian American coming-of-age tale that debuted at Tribeca. India Sweets and Spices follows Alia Kapur, played by Ali, as she returns to her family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year at college and upends their lives with her brash independence.
Her rebellion climaxes at a dinner party where family secrets are revealed that push Alia toward a daring and ultimately ...
- 9/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Bleecker Street has nabbed the U.S. rights to writer/director Geeta Malik’s comedy India Sweets and Spices, which stars Sophia Ali, Manisha Koirala, Adil Hussain, Rish Shah and Deepti Gupta.
Bleecker Street plans a Nov. 19 theatrical release for the Indian American coming-of-age tale that debuted at Tribeca. India Sweets and Spices portrays Alia Kapur, played by Ali, as she returns to her family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year at college and upends their lives with her brash independence.
Her rebellion climaxes at a dinner party where family secrets are revealed and push Alia toward a daring and ultimately ...
Bleecker Street plans a Nov. 19 theatrical release for the Indian American coming-of-age tale that debuted at Tribeca. India Sweets and Spices portrays Alia Kapur, played by Ali, as she returns to her family’s posh suburban New Jersey home after a year at college and upends their lives with her brash independence.
Her rebellion climaxes at a dinner party where family secrets are revealed and push Alia toward a daring and ultimately ...
- 9/13/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“India Sweets and Spices” is an independent film about immigrants who face family complications and romantic entanglements in America.
India Sweets & Spices is a chain of Indian grocery stores across Southern California. Now the grocery chain, founded in 1984, is raising hell over the movie, which debuted at Tribeca earlier this month.
Raj Jawa, whose father started the franchise, has begun to wage an online campaign accusing the filmmakers of stealing his family’s trademark. He has written to the filmmakers’ representatives, urging them to change the title.
“We built up this goodwill and this name for years,” Jawa said in an interview. “And they’re just going to slap it on their product for marketing purposes.”
The director, Geeta Malik, is based in Los Angeles with graduate film degree from UCLA. The script for “India Sweets and Spices,” originally called “Dinner With Friends,” won an Academy’s Nicholl fellowship in 2016. In it,...
India Sweets & Spices is a chain of Indian grocery stores across Southern California. Now the grocery chain, founded in 1984, is raising hell over the movie, which debuted at Tribeca earlier this month.
Raj Jawa, whose father started the franchise, has begun to wage an online campaign accusing the filmmakers of stealing his family’s trademark. He has written to the filmmakers’ representatives, urging them to change the title.
“We built up this goodwill and this name for years,” Jawa said in an interview. “And they’re just going to slap it on their product for marketing purposes.”
The director, Geeta Malik, is based in Los Angeles with graduate film degree from UCLA. The script for “India Sweets and Spices,” originally called “Dinner With Friends,” won an Academy’s Nicholl fellowship in 2016. In it,...
- 6/23/2021
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
For the cast and crew of “India Sweets and Spices,” the Tribeca Festival debut on June 12 served as a welcome reunion after a long year of What’sApp messaging during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.
“A lot of our cast is scattered throughout the world, and it’s been tough with this Covid situation so we really missed them,” Malik tells Variety about celebrating without a few film family members. “It would have been really special to have them here.”
Malik joined the cast — including Deepti Gupta, Anita Kalathara, Reena Shah, Rupal Pujara, Christina Burdette, Kayan Tara, Moses Das, Indra Dattagupta, Vee Bhakta, Kamran Shaikh, Priya Deva, Jia Patel and Richa Chandra — for the comedy’s world premiere at Brookfield Place in New York City.
The film festival premiere served as a launching pad for the movie, which focuses on a young woman named Alia (Sophia Ali), who comes home for...
“A lot of our cast is scattered throughout the world, and it’s been tough with this Covid situation so we really missed them,” Malik tells Variety about celebrating without a few film family members. “It would have been really special to have them here.”
Malik joined the cast — including Deepti Gupta, Anita Kalathara, Reena Shah, Rupal Pujara, Christina Burdette, Kayan Tara, Moses Das, Indra Dattagupta, Vee Bhakta, Kamran Shaikh, Priya Deva, Jia Patel and Richa Chandra — for the comedy’s world premiere at Brookfield Place in New York City.
The film festival premiere served as a launching pad for the movie, which focuses on a young woman named Alia (Sophia Ali), who comes home for...
- 6/22/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Everything starts and ends with tradition in “India Sweets and Spices,” an inviting intergenerational dramedy of comforting flavors, both witty and familiar. Packing a conventional coming-of-age tale into its pleasantly paced running time, Geeta Malik’s sophomore feature — about old-fashioned multicultural families with storied roots and their modern, independently minded offspring — doesn’t offer all that much that is thematically surprising. But the writer-director’s hearty enthusiasm for her Indian American characters of different stripes, as well as a memorably zesty lead performance by Sophia Ali, manage to deliver distinct yet relatable tastes to the viewer all the same.
These virtues surprisingly feel enough to make up for some bland, sitcom directing and instances of uneven acting throughout. They also warrant a wide audience for the universal story that “India Sweets and Spices” tells with earnestness, even when the script leans schematic at times. And much like the diverse crowds...
These virtues surprisingly feel enough to make up for some bland, sitcom directing and instances of uneven acting throughout. They also warrant a wide audience for the universal story that “India Sweets and Spices” tells with earnestness, even when the script leans schematic at times. And much like the diverse crowds...
- 6/12/2021
- by Tomris Laffly
- Variety Film + TV
After a Covid-induced hiatus, Tribeca Festival returns with in-person premieres and an exciting mix of studio productions and low-fi indies. The festival has ditched the word “film” from its title in order to emphasize the fact that Tribeca now encompasses podcasting, gaming, TV and so much more. But who are they kidding? For most New Yorkers, it’s all about the movies. With that in mind, here are 11 films that should be on every festival-goer’s must-see list.
12 Mighty Orphans
Director: Ty Roberts
Cast: Luke Wilson, Vinessa Shaw, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Wayne Knight, Jake Austin Walker
Meet your next uplifting sports drama. In the tradition of “Rudy” or “Hoosiers” comes “12 Mighty Orphans,” the story of the Mighty Mites, the football team of a Fort Worth orphanage who became unlikely Texas state championship contenders. In the process, their plucky come-from-nowhere run inspired a country reeling from the Great Depression.
12 Mighty Orphans
Director: Ty Roberts
Cast: Luke Wilson, Vinessa Shaw, Martin Sheen, Robert Duvall, Wayne Knight, Jake Austin Walker
Meet your next uplifting sports drama. In the tradition of “Rudy” or “Hoosiers” comes “12 Mighty Orphans,” the story of the Mighty Mites, the football team of a Fort Worth orphanage who became unlikely Texas state championship contenders. In the process, their plucky come-from-nowhere run inspired a country reeling from the Great Depression.
- 6/10/2021
- by Brent Lang and Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
After a Covid hiatus, the Tribeca Festival is back, hosting panels and film premieres in the heart of New York City. At the same time, it is demonstrating that the city’s arteries stretch far beyond a radius of a few blocks.
This edition, which runs from June 9 through June 20, will look a little different from previous iterations, and that’s not just because Gotham is slowly reemerging from months of social distancing and lockdowns. Tribeca is ditching the word “film” from its moniker and moving far beyond the sliver of lower Manhattan that shares its name. Instead, the festival will be held largely outdoors across all of New York’s five boroughs, offering screenings at the likes of MetroTech Commons in Brooklyn, the Empire Outlets on Staten Island, and the United Palace theater in Washington Heights.
“A film festival comes to town in every sense,” says Jane Rosenthal, one of Tribeca’s founders.
This edition, which runs from June 9 through June 20, will look a little different from previous iterations, and that’s not just because Gotham is slowly reemerging from months of social distancing and lockdowns. Tribeca is ditching the word “film” from its moniker and moving far beyond the sliver of lower Manhattan that shares its name. Instead, the festival will be held largely outdoors across all of New York’s five boroughs, offering screenings at the likes of MetroTech Commons in Brooklyn, the Empire Outlets on Staten Island, and the United Palace theater in Washington Heights.
“A film festival comes to town in every sense,” says Jane Rosenthal, one of Tribeca’s founders.
- 6/8/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Sk Global and LA-based production and literary outfit The Mazur Kaplan Company have closed a first-look development deal, with an initial five books set for adaptation. The pact was jointly announced Tuesday by Sk Global President of Television Marcy Ross, and Mazur Kaplan principals Paula Mazur and Mitchell Kaplan. It is part of Sk Global’s expansion into television under Ross who joined the company in April. The deal also is part of book IP-focused Mazur Kaplan’s push into TV.
Here are the first five books identified for television or feature adaptation under the pact, along the creative auspices attached to each project:
The Hierarchies. Written by debut novelist Ros Anderson and set in the not-too-distant future, The Hierarchies is a character driven story about a sentient pleasure robot designed to cater to her husband’s needs, and her startling self-discovery as she begins to realize more about...
Here are the first five books identified for television or feature adaptation under the pact, along the creative auspices attached to each project:
The Hierarchies. Written by debut novelist Ros Anderson and set in the not-too-distant future, The Hierarchies is a character driven story about a sentient pleasure robot designed to cater to her husband’s needs, and her startling self-discovery as she begins to realize more about...
- 11/17/2020
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
CAA Media Finance is representing worldwide distribution rights to “India Sweets and Spices,” produced by Sk Global (“Crazy Rich Asians”) and Madison Wells (“Genius”).
The film is directed by Geeta Malik (“Troublemaker”) and is based on her own script “Dinner With Friends” that won the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in screenwriting. The film follows a young woman who, after her first year at college, returns to her affluent suburban New Jersey home for the summer and discovers distressing secrets about her seemingly picture-perfect Indian American family.
“We don’t often see movies about the duality of identifying strongly with both Indian and American traditions, and not having to choose between them,” Malik said. “And I didn’t want to make a movie specifically about any sort of culture clash. Every generation, no matter what their background, has to find a way to both break free from and embrace their history. That...
The film is directed by Geeta Malik (“Troublemaker”) and is based on her own script “Dinner With Friends” that won the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in screenwriting. The film follows a young woman who, after her first year at college, returns to her affluent suburban New Jersey home for the summer and discovers distressing secrets about her seemingly picture-perfect Indian American family.
“We don’t often see movies about the duality of identifying strongly with both Indian and American traditions, and not having to choose between them,” Malik said. “And I didn’t want to make a movie specifically about any sort of culture clash. Every generation, no matter what their background, has to find a way to both break free from and embrace their history. That...
- 10/1/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Adil Hussain, prominent star of Indian independent cinema, will be present at the Busan International Film Festival as the male lead of two Indian world premieres.
In Vijay Jayapal’s “Nirvana Inn,” Hussain headlines alongside Sandhya Mridul (“Bridge”) and Rajshri Deshpande (“Sexy Durga”). At an earlier stage, the film was at the Busan Asian Project Market in 2018 and subsequently received post-production support from the festival’s Asian Cinema Fund.
Hussain also stars in veteran filmmaker Goutam Ghose’s “The Wayfarers” (“Raahgir”) alongside Tilottama Shome (“Sir”).
“The role I play in “Raahgir “is of the poorest of the poor, a tribal man from Central India, a wayfarer, but a giant of a human, who’s humanity is put to the test by the circumstances he suddenly finds himself in. In “Nirvana Inn” my character journeys through the darkest of human despair and guilt and unfathomable sadness which descends on him, and is beyond his control,...
In Vijay Jayapal’s “Nirvana Inn,” Hussain headlines alongside Sandhya Mridul (“Bridge”) and Rajshri Deshpande (“Sexy Durga”). At an earlier stage, the film was at the Busan Asian Project Market in 2018 and subsequently received post-production support from the festival’s Asian Cinema Fund.
Hussain also stars in veteran filmmaker Goutam Ghose’s “The Wayfarers” (“Raahgir”) alongside Tilottama Shome (“Sir”).
“The role I play in “Raahgir “is of the poorest of the poor, a tribal man from Central India, a wayfarer, but a giant of a human, who’s humanity is put to the test by the circumstances he suddenly finds himself in. In “Nirvana Inn” my character journeys through the darkest of human despair and guilt and unfathomable sadness which descends on him, and is beyond his control,...
- 10/3/2019
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Keep up with the glitzy awards world with our weekly Awards Roundup column.
– Four individuals and one writing team have been selected as winners of the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition. The Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee announced the winners via Livestream on Thursday, September 29. Each fellow receives a $35,000 prize, the first installment of which will be distributed at the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Awards Presentation and Live Read on Thursday, November 3, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.
The 2016 winners are Michele Atkins (“Talking About the Sky”), Spencer Harvey and Lloyd Harvey (“Photo Booth”), Geeta Malik, (“Dinner with Friends”), Elizabeth Oyebode (“Tween the Ropes”) and Justin Piasecki (“Death of an Ortolan”).
Read More: Shailene Woodley to Receive Environmentalist Award, Ridley Scott Named American Cinematheque Award Recipient and More
– Ken Burns and Ric Burns were honored with the 2016 History Makers Award at the New-York Historical Society’s annual History Makers Gala on Monday,...
– Four individuals and one writing team have been selected as winners of the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition. The Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee announced the winners via Livestream on Thursday, September 29. Each fellow receives a $35,000 prize, the first installment of which will be distributed at the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Awards Presentation and Live Read on Thursday, November 3, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.
The 2016 winners are Michele Atkins (“Talking About the Sky”), Spencer Harvey and Lloyd Harvey (“Photo Booth”), Geeta Malik, (“Dinner with Friends”), Elizabeth Oyebode (“Tween the Ropes”) and Justin Piasecki (“Death of an Ortolan”).
Read More: Shailene Woodley to Receive Environmentalist Award, Ridley Scott Named American Cinematheque Award Recipient and More
– Ken Burns and Ric Burns were honored with the 2016 History Makers Award at the New-York Historical Society’s annual History Makers Gala on Monday,...
- 9/30/2016
- by Graham Winfrey
- Indiewire
Lloyd Harvey and Spencer Harvey.
Sydney-based siblings Spencer and Lloyd Harvey have been named one of the five winners of the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting for their script, Photo Booth.
Speaking to If about the win, the pair said they were thrilled to be amongst this year's group of talented writers.
"It is such an honour to join the ranks of the Nicholl fellows and to have had that news delivered this morning by the esteemed Nicholl committee, whose combined portfolio of work is truly humbling. It's been a good day!" said Lloyd.
The pair will receive $35,000Usd, the first installment of which will be presented November 3 at the Academy.s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The event will also involve a live read of selected scenes from the winning scripts.
The Academy established the Nicholl Fellowships competition to identify and encourage talented new screenwriters from around the world.
Sydney-based siblings Spencer and Lloyd Harvey have been named one of the five winners of the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting for their script, Photo Booth.
Speaking to If about the win, the pair said they were thrilled to be amongst this year's group of talented writers.
"It is such an honour to join the ranks of the Nicholl fellows and to have had that news delivered this morning by the esteemed Nicholl committee, whose combined portfolio of work is truly humbling. It's been a good day!" said Lloyd.
The pair will receive $35,000Usd, the first installment of which will be presented November 3 at the Academy.s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. The event will also involve a live read of selected scenes from the winning scripts.
The Academy established the Nicholl Fellowships competition to identify and encourage talented new screenwriters from around the world.
- 9/30/2016
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Plus: Samuel Goldwyn acquires Nerdland; Academy unveils Nicholl Fellows
Gianfranco Rosi’s Golden Bear winner Fire At Sea will screen under the umbrella of Berlinale Spotlight at the 14th Morelia International Film Festival in Mexico next month.
The initiative is part of a dedicated programme backed by the support of the Goethe-Institut that marks the Year Of Germany In Mexico 2016/2017,
The jointly curated selection includes films from all sections of this year’s Berlinale such as Mia Hansen-Løve’s Things To Come and Mahmoud Sabbagh’s Barakah Meets Barakah.
Programming covers a retrospective of filmmaker and actor Reinhold Schünzel, who directed Viktor Und Viktoria in 1933 before he emigrated to the Us in 1937, and selections by special guest Sebastian Schipper
Morelia runs from October 21-30. Click here for full details.
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights from UTA Independent Film Group to Tribeca selection Nerdland and will screen at this weekend’s Beyond Fest this weekend...
Gianfranco Rosi’s Golden Bear winner Fire At Sea will screen under the umbrella of Berlinale Spotlight at the 14th Morelia International Film Festival in Mexico next month.
The initiative is part of a dedicated programme backed by the support of the Goethe-Institut that marks the Year Of Germany In Mexico 2016/2017,
The jointly curated selection includes films from all sections of this year’s Berlinale such as Mia Hansen-Løve’s Things To Come and Mahmoud Sabbagh’s Barakah Meets Barakah.
Programming covers a retrospective of filmmaker and actor Reinhold Schünzel, who directed Viktor Und Viktoria in 1933 before he emigrated to the Us in 1937, and selections by special guest Sebastian Schipper
Morelia runs from October 21-30. Click here for full details.
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights from UTA Independent Film Group to Tribeca selection Nerdland and will screen at this weekend’s Beyond Fest this weekend...
- 9/29/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced the six winners of the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition Thursday — and two-thirds of them are women. The winners, four individuals and one writing team, are: Michele Atkins, “Talking About the Sky” (Seattle, Wa) Spencer Harvey and Lloyd Harvey, “Photo Booth” (Balgowlah, Australia) Geeta Malik, “Dinner with Friends” (Los Angeles, CA) Elizabeth Oyebode, “Tween the Ropes” (Sunnyvale, CA) Justin Piasecki, “Death of an Ortolan” (Los Angeles, CA) Also Read: Top Student Academy Awards Go to AFI, USC, Berkeley, Columbia Each winner will receive a $35,000 prize, the first part of which...
- 9/29/2016
- by Matt Pressberg
- The Wrap
Four individuals and one writing team have been selected as winners of the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition. The Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee announced the winners via Livestream today. The fellows will each receive a $35,000 prize, the first installment of which will be distributed at the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Awards Presentation & Live Read on Thursday, November 3, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills. For the fourth consecutive year, an ensemble of actors will be reading selected scenes from the winning scripts.
The 2016 winners are (listed alphabetically by author):
Michele Atkins, “Talking About the Sky” (Seattle, Wa)
Spencer Harvey and Lloyd Harvey, “Photo Booth” (Balgowlah, Australia)
Geeta Malik, “Dinner with Friends” (Los Angeles, CA)
Elizabeth Oyebode, “Tween the Ropes” (Sunnyvale, CA)
Justin Piasecki, “Death of an Ortolan” (Los Angeles, CA)
A total of 6,915 scripts were submitted for this year’s competition. Eleven individual screenwriters and one...
The 2016 winners are (listed alphabetically by author):
Michele Atkins, “Talking About the Sky” (Seattle, Wa)
Spencer Harvey and Lloyd Harvey, “Photo Booth” (Balgowlah, Australia)
Geeta Malik, “Dinner with Friends” (Los Angeles, CA)
Elizabeth Oyebode, “Tween the Ropes” (Sunnyvale, CA)
Justin Piasecki, “Death of an Ortolan” (Los Angeles, CA)
A total of 6,915 scripts were submitted for this year’s competition. Eleven individual screenwriters and one...
- 9/29/2016
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Lloyd Harvey and Spencer Harvey.
Spencer and Lloyd Harvey, a Sydney-based sister-brother filmmaking team, have been shortlisted for the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting for their script Photo Booth.
The Academy established the Nicholl Fellowships competition in 1986 to both identify and encourage talented new screenwriters from around the world.
The twelve scripts shortlisted this year were selected from a staggering 6,915 entries.
Photo Booth, set in Sydney, follows a successful performance artist who, after trying and failing to adopt a baby through the system, decides to adopt the unborn baby from her husband.s one night stand with a waitress.
.On a broader note, it is about choices and how near to impossible it is to pinpoint the moment, the choice, that defined who we are and how we got here. It is also about how women can be judged and often limited in choices when it comes to family versus career,...
Spencer and Lloyd Harvey, a Sydney-based sister-brother filmmaking team, have been shortlisted for the 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting for their script Photo Booth.
The Academy established the Nicholl Fellowships competition in 1986 to both identify and encourage talented new screenwriters from around the world.
The twelve scripts shortlisted this year were selected from a staggering 6,915 entries.
Photo Booth, set in Sydney, follows a successful performance artist who, after trying and failing to adopt a baby through the system, decides to adopt the unborn baby from her husband.s one night stand with a waitress.
.On a broader note, it is about choices and how near to impossible it is to pinpoint the moment, the choice, that defined who we are and how we got here. It is also about how women can be judged and often limited in choices when it comes to family versus career,...
- 9/14/2016
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Film Independent has selected 30 filmmakers for its Project Involve dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.
Producer Cathy Schulman, writer-director Billy Ray and writer-producer Virgil Williams will serve as guest speakers with additional guest speakers and mentors to be announced.
“Project Involve is an extraordinary program and a vital extension of the core values and mission of Film Independent,” said Jennifer Kushner, director of artist development at Film Independent.
“Among our key goals are to foster community, cultivate the careers of filmmakers, and increase cultural diversity in the film industry. We are committed to supporting this exceptional group of artists and professionals in their careers, and by doing so, we hope to contribute to a future where diverse voices will thrive in the entertainment industry.”
For the third consecutive year Sony Pictures Entertainment returns with the Diversity Fellowship in Project Involve, which provides...
Producer Cathy Schulman, writer-director Billy Ray and writer-producer Virgil Williams will serve as guest speakers with additional guest speakers and mentors to be announced.
“Project Involve is an extraordinary program and a vital extension of the core values and mission of Film Independent,” said Jennifer Kushner, director of artist development at Film Independent.
“Among our key goals are to foster community, cultivate the careers of filmmakers, and increase cultural diversity in the film industry. We are committed to supporting this exceptional group of artists and professionals in their careers, and by doing so, we hope to contribute to a future where diverse voices will thrive in the entertainment industry.”
For the third consecutive year Sony Pictures Entertainment returns with the Diversity Fellowship in Project Involve, which provides...
- 11/4/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Film Independent has selected 30 filmmakers for its Project Involve dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.
Producer Cathy Schulman, writer-director Billy Ray and writer-producer Virgil Williams will serve as guest speakers with additional guest speakers and mentors to be announced.
“Project Involve is an extraordinary program and a vital extension of the core values and mission of Film Independent,” said Jennifer Kushner, director of artist development at Film Independent.
“Among our key goals are to foster community, cultivate the careers of filmmakers, and increase cultural diversity in the film industry. We are committed to supporting this exceptional group of artists and professionals in their careers, and by doing so, we hope to contribute to a future where diverse voices will thrive in the entertainment industry.”
For the third consecutive year Sony Pictures Entertainment returns with the Diversity Fellowship in Project Involve, which provides...
Producer Cathy Schulman, writer-director Billy Ray and writer-producer Virgil Williams will serve as guest speakers with additional guest speakers and mentors to be announced.
“Project Involve is an extraordinary program and a vital extension of the core values and mission of Film Independent,” said Jennifer Kushner, director of artist development at Film Independent.
“Among our key goals are to foster community, cultivate the careers of filmmakers, and increase cultural diversity in the film industry. We are committed to supporting this exceptional group of artists and professionals in their careers, and by doing so, we hope to contribute to a future where diverse voices will thrive in the entertainment industry.”
For the third consecutive year Sony Pictures Entertainment returns with the Diversity Fellowship in Project Involve, which provides...
- 11/4/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
As the Bollywood presence continues to establish itself in the Us, the city of Chicago continues to show itself as one of the strongest influences of promoting South Asian content. The Chicago South Asian Film Festival premiered last year, and 2011 has already brought us the first ever Chicago Global Runway, which was a fashion experience with a very strong South Asian influence.
The Chicago South Asian Film Festival took place this year over the weekend of September 30 to October 2nd. Just as it had been done the year before, on the opening night there was a Red Carpet ceremony followed by a feature film, and a drinks and appetizer gala immediately after.
For the second straight year, the venue of choice was the Chicago Cultural Center in the heart of Chicago. This year there were some last minute cancellations by some of the bigger names that were supposed to be in attendance,...
The Chicago South Asian Film Festival took place this year over the weekend of September 30 to October 2nd. Just as it had been done the year before, on the opening night there was a Red Carpet ceremony followed by a feature film, and a drinks and appetizer gala immediately after.
For the second straight year, the venue of choice was the Chicago Cultural Center in the heart of Chicago. This year there were some last minute cancellations by some of the bigger names that were supposed to be in attendance,...
- 10/17/2011
- by Sunny Verma
- Bollyspice
New Jersey Independent South-Asian Cinefest 2011 which will be held from October 21-23 will screen films by women or about women from India and other south-asian countries. The lineup includes Amit Dutta’s Aadmi Ki Aurat Aur Anya Kahaniyan, Sonali Gulati’s I Am, Natasha Mendonca’s Jan Villa and Lalit Marathe’s Shabri.
The three day festival aims to introduce new and established independent women film artists, from South Asia and the South Asian Diaspora. New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Fest (Njisacf) was created as a part of the Asian American Film and Theater Project, a non-profit organization based in USA.
The complete list of films to be screened at the festival:
Aadmi Ki Aurat Aur Anya Kahaniyan
Director: Amit Dutta
At the Stairs
Director: Rajesh S. Jala
Banshiwala
Director: Anjan Das
Beyond Grace
Director: Sara & Urs Baur
The Desire – A Journey of a Woman
Director: R. Sarath
Flying...
The three day festival aims to introduce new and established independent women film artists, from South Asia and the South Asian Diaspora. New Jersey Independent South Asian Cine Fest (Njisacf) was created as a part of the Asian American Film and Theater Project, a non-profit organization based in USA.
The complete list of films to be screened at the festival:
Aadmi Ki Aurat Aur Anya Kahaniyan
Director: Amit Dutta
At the Stairs
Director: Rajesh S. Jala
Banshiwala
Director: Anjan Das
Beyond Grace
Director: Sara & Urs Baur
The Desire – A Journey of a Woman
Director: R. Sarath
Flying...
- 10/10/2011
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Ketan Mehta’s Rang Rasiya will be the opening film of the Chicago South Asian Film Festival which will begin on September 30, 2011.
The festival will close with Sonali Gulati’s documentary I Am while Nila Madhab Panda’s I Am Kalam will be screened as the centerpiece of the festival.
Amole Gupte’s Stanley Ka Dabba will also be presented as part of the festival.
The other films that will be screened at the festival are: Athula Liyanage’s Bambara Wallala, Geeta Malik’s Troublemaker, Moinak Biswas and Arjun Gourisaria’s Spring In The Colony, Hemant Gaba’s Shuttlecock Boys, Dr. Bharathy Manjula’s XXWhy, Anu Rana’s Ring Laila, Harjant Gill’s Roots of Love, Nasir Khan’s Made in Pakistan, Pankaj Johar’s documentary Still Standing, and Shelley Saywell’s documentary In the Name of the Family.
The short film section will have Pulkit Datta’s Jason, Sameer Acharya...
The festival will close with Sonali Gulati’s documentary I Am while Nila Madhab Panda’s I Am Kalam will be screened as the centerpiece of the festival.
Amole Gupte’s Stanley Ka Dabba will also be presented as part of the festival.
The other films that will be screened at the festival are: Athula Liyanage’s Bambara Wallala, Geeta Malik’s Troublemaker, Moinak Biswas and Arjun Gourisaria’s Spring In The Colony, Hemant Gaba’s Shuttlecock Boys, Dr. Bharathy Manjula’s XXWhy, Anu Rana’s Ring Laila, Harjant Gill’s Roots of Love, Nasir Khan’s Made in Pakistan, Pankaj Johar’s documentary Still Standing, and Shelley Saywell’s documentary In the Name of the Family.
The short film section will have Pulkit Datta’s Jason, Sameer Acharya...
- 8/23/2011
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Filmmaker Ketan Mehta.s controversial film .Rang Rasiya. has been selected to open the Chicago South Asian Film Festival, which is starting Sep 30. .Rang Rasiya. is the story of artist Raja Ravi Varma.s passions, obsessions and his fierce struggle for creative freedom. He hurt the religious sentiments of the people by painting nudes of Indian mythological characters. Later on, his muse Sugandha inspired him to create exquisite paintings based on mythological themes and classic literature. Nila Madhab Panda.s .I Am Kalam. has been selected as the centrepiece of the film festival, said a statement from the festival. The movie is a heartwarming story of a 13-year-old slum boy who aspires to be like A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, former president of India. Amole Gupte.s .Stanley Ka Dabba. will also been screened in the feature films category of the festival which will end Oct 2. As many as 27 films...
- 8/18/2011
- Filmicafe
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