At the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA), there will be a special focus on the stage version of “Life of Pi,” an acclaimed adaptation. This emphasis will occur during their extended Industry Days program. The panel, titled “Bringing ‘Life of Pi’ to Life – From Page to Stage,” will delve into the process of turning Yann Martel’s cherished novel into a groundbreaking theatrical production that employs innovative puppetry and staging techniques.
Actor trio Savidu Geevaratne, Sharayu Mahale, and Sorab Wadia will engage in a discussion revolving around representation, interpretation, and the cultural impact of a South Asian-guided storyline on Broadway and beyond.
Or, more informally:
The actors Savidu Geevaratne, Sharayu Mahale, and Sorab Wadia are going to chat about how important it is for South Asians to lead stories on Broadway and beyond, focusing on representation, adaptation, and cultural significance.
The panel is included in the expanded two-day industry event organized by IFFLA, taking place on May 8-9, 2025, at the Landmark Theatres Sunset in Los Angeles, which was a great success during its debut last year.
Or, more concisely:
This panel is part of an expanded, successful two-day industry event by IFFLA, happening on May 8-9, 2025 at Landmark Theatres Sunset in Los Angeles (which was a hit during its first year).
Speaking about last year’s successful debut of Industry Day, Christina Marouda, the executive director of IFFLA, mentioned that this year’s extended event provides a crucial and carefully selected platform for innovative thinkers from South Asia and its diaspora to interact with influential industry professionals, cultivate and strengthen significant relationships, and delve into a captivating array of projects that resonate globally.
A workshop titled “From Dhaka to Hollywood: The Genre-Blending Journey of Nuhash Humayun” will showcase one of the rising stars in South Asian filmmaking. During this discussion, Humayun, renowned for his short horror film “Moshari,” will share insights on crafting courageous local tales that strike a chord worldwide, collaborating across various fields and territories, and paving the way for South Asian horror in international cinema.
This year, I’m thrilled to be part of an exciting development – the debut of IFFLA Connect, a collaboration between IFFLA and Cinévesture. This unique program will feature film projects from South Asian countries like India, Nepal, and Bangladesh under the joint banner CinéV-IFFLA. Additionally, it will showcase North American projects carefully selected by IFFLA.
This lineup for the South Asian region features various films, such as “Friends and Fascism” by Sindhu Sreenivasa Murthy (from India and U.S.), “Kafala” and “Moving Bangladesh” from Nuhash Humayun (Bangladesh), Radhika Apte’s directorial debut “Koyta” (India) produced by Vikramaditya Motwane, “Papita” directed by Aakash Bhatia with producer Richa Chadha (India), Leena Manimekalai’s “Saracura” (India), Afronza Hossain’s “Song of Jhinuk” (Bangladesh), and Deepak Rauniyar’s “Taste of my Dreams” (Nepal).
The North American showcase includes “Mouna Tharangam (A Silent Wave)” by Sachin Dheeraj (U.S.) and “Patel” by Ravi Kapoor (U.S.). This program highlights a variety of voices from the South Asian diaspora. As festival producer, Noopur Sinha explained, “Our aim is to provide these impactful, South Asian-led productions with the industry connections and support they need within Hollywood.
The Launchpad: Pitch Competition is back, featuring finalists such as Alisha Bhowmik (“Untitled Kolkata Film”), Vankshita Mishra (“The Moth & the Fly”), Venk Potula, Reena Patel, and Bijon Imtiaz (“Now & Then”), Kiana Rawji (“Adult Children”), and Minoti Vaishnav (“The Secret Life of Samira Sen”). These contestants will present their projects to industry professionals for a shot at winning a $10,000 grant for development. The judging panel consists of Aanch Khaneja (TV and film producer), Isaac Klausner from Temple Hill Entertainment, Santiago Marcos of Gaumont Television, Madhuri Shekar (writer), and Chisom Ude from Inflection Point Entertainment.
At Industry Days, there will be discussions about AI in storytelling and the future of international cinema, with executives from Netflix, Neon, Orion Pictures, Film Independent, and other notable companies participating. The jury for the feature film category is made up of renowned actor Rajshri Deshpande, author Priyanka Mattoo, and film critic Carla Renata, while the short film jury consists of director Maureen Bharoocha, writer-actor Kausar Mohammed, and Sundance programmer Sudeep Sharma.
IFFLA runs May 6-10.
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2025-04-21 20:47