Full Transcript for Rita Meher Tasveer

Festival. 72 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:12.959 That's awesome now, I mean, obviously there was a lot 73 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:14.560 of change in nine to eleven, and I think it's 74 00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:16.839 great that you have that opportunity for people. There was 75 00:05:16.839 --> 00:05:19.959 a lot of confusion about people in general. I mean 76 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:22.040 I think there was I remember that sort of time. 77 00:05:22.160 --> 00:05:24.439 I was in London personally at that time, but there 78 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:27.839 was a sosmophobia. You had people like Seeks being attacked 79 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:31.279 and other and it was just unprecedented. So I think 80 00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:35.519 that negative sentiment was really awful for people. So I 81 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:37.399 think that in media is a great way and at 82 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:40.000 all to notr really bring people together, but also then 83 00:05:40.079 --> 00:05:42.519 to tell your stories. So no, thank you for doing that. 84 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:44.279 I mean, I think it's a it's a great achievement, 85 00:05:44.279 --> 00:05:47.279 but also a consistency now, how many years has it been. 86 00:05:48.160 --> 00:05:50.519 It's twenty three plus years. 87 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:54.839 Yeah, wow, time flies and you've still you're still at it? 88 00:05:54.920 --> 00:06:00.319 Okay, how would sorry one story at a time? 89 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:03.160 When film one story at a time? Yeah, what I'd 90 00:06:03.199 --> 00:06:06.040 love to hear about. And a lot of people don't 91 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:09.560 know this that. It's also like we talked about earlier, 92 00:06:09.560 --> 00:06:14.399 it's OSCO qualifying. What did it take to become Moscow qualifying? 93 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:23.360 So the process is very rigorous. We applied actually in 94 00:06:23.399 --> 00:06:26.480 the middle of the COVID. Before that, we were thinking 95 00:06:26.519 --> 00:06:29.839 about it for pretty much three years and trying to 96 00:06:29.879 --> 00:06:33.800 find a contact. It's not easy. All the information is 97 00:06:33.839 --> 00:06:38.399 not readily available on the website. We applied. There's an 98 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:44.000 application process and it took about two years to get qualified. 99 00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:48.199 They have an internal committee where they do their due diligence. 100 00:06:48.279 --> 00:06:51.879 They see what kind of films we have shown, where 101 00:06:51.920 --> 00:06:58.560 we have shown, what is our mission vision and the 102 00:06:58.600 --> 00:07:06.160 continuity and excuse me, they see everything, They take everything 103 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:10.360 into consideration and then they make their decision. And to 104 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:15.319 become the one and only OSCAR qualifying film festival as 105 00:07:15.360 --> 00:07:19.120 a South Asian film festival, I think they have never 106 00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:22.920 done that before. It was unprecedented for them too. They 107 00:07:22.959 --> 00:07:28.439 have given to big international film festivals or Asian film 108 00:07:28.480 --> 00:07:32.839 festival I think one Asian Film festival, but to also 109 00:07:32.959 --> 00:07:36.279 narrow down to give it to a South Asian festival 110 00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:44.120 hasn't been given before this accreditation. It's yeah, it's they 111 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:51.600 took everything into consideration, our reputation, our work, our twenty 112 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:52.560 three years of work. 113 00:07:53.560 --> 00:07:55.959 Yeah yeah, and how long has it been at Oscar 114 00:07:56.079 --> 00:07:57.319 Qualifying Film Festival. 115 00:07:57.319 --> 00:08:03.079 Then the news came in twenty twenty three that we 116 00:08:03.160 --> 00:08:04.000 are qualified. 117 00:08:04.639 --> 00:08:07.560 Congratulations. I mean, that's amazing. So this will be kind 118 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:10.639 of what the third year. Yeah, that's the case. 119 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:14.519 Can I add a little bit what it means to 120 00:08:14.600 --> 00:08:20.519 be It's not just for the namesake, like oh wow, 121 00:08:20.560 --> 00:08:24.319 it's we are an OSCAR qualifying By becoming an OSCAR 122 00:08:24.399 --> 00:08:27.759 qualifying South Asian Film Festival, what we have done for 123 00:08:27.879 --> 00:08:32.279 South Asian filmmakers that we have guaranteed a South Asian 124 00:08:32.320 --> 00:08:35.440 film to be put in front of the OSCAR committee 125 00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:40.080 to be qualified for OSCAR nomination. And the first year 126 00:08:40.120 --> 00:08:42.879 when we did that in twenty twenty three, in his 127 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:48.679 debut year itself, we pushed we put Afghani film Yellow 128 00:08:49.039 --> 00:08:57.200 Afghani British film that got shortlisted for Oscars. And so 129 00:08:57.480 --> 00:09:00.399 now the South Asian films or filmmakers don't have to 130 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:04.559 chase like big film festivals like can or Trybecca and 131 00:09:04.639 --> 00:09:08.200 all that, where the number is huge and then to 132 00:09:08.240 --> 00:09:12.279 get shortlisted to a South Asian film is almost one 133 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:17.399 among hundreds of films. But here now it's guaranteed, right, and. 134 00:09:17.759 --> 00:09:19.879 It provides an opportunity for them to be able to 135 00:09:19.919 --> 00:09:22.639 do that versus like you know, just in a big 136 00:09:23.399 --> 00:09:26.120 vast ocean of just Asian in general, et cetera. Right, 137 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:30.559 So you're enhancing opportunities for people. But in terms of 138 00:09:31.279 --> 00:09:34.279 so if they get accepted into an OSCAR qualifying film festival, 139 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:36.480 for those who don't know in the audience, what would 140 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:38.279 that mean If they get accepted, does that mean that 141 00:09:38.320

--> 00:09:40.960 they can be in OSCAR nominee or do they How 142 00:09:41.000 --> 00:09:45.559 do they have to win the festival? What's their process? 143 00:09:45.759 --> 00:09:49.080 They do have to win an award in our festival too, 144 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:53.279 and it's only for short films. The future films don't 145 00:09:53.279 --> 00:09:57.279 go through film festivals. They have a different process. So 146 00:09:57.759 --> 00:10:02.559 this nomination is on for shortlisting only for short films 147 00:10:02.840 --> 00:10:05.320 and they do have to win a Jury Award in 148 00:10:05.360 --> 00:10:07.320 our film festival, right. 149 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:11.799 And so it's I'm curious for people listening and like, Okay, 150 00:10:11.799 --> 00:10:14.480 this is You've done so many years, You've obviously you know, 151 00:10:14.679 --> 00:10:17.399 given so many opportunities to South Asian. There's many South 152 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:20.559 Asian film festivals that are out there, of course, which 153 00:10:20.639 --> 00:10:23.639 is fantastic, but having to go to the sphere and say, 154 00:10:23.679 --> 00:10:28.519 for example, they are looking to bring their film to 155 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:31.360 where have you had any success stories that you can 156 00:10:31.399 --> 00:10:34.879 speak to for example that maybe you know, hey, you're 157 00:10:34.879 --> 00:10:36.799 really proud of this and you managed to take that 158 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:39.639 short film but it got us no nominated or whatnot. 159 00:10:39.679 --> 00:10:41.480 Is there any any that that you want to highlight? 160 00:10:43.120 --> 00:10:47.919 Yes, But just like I mentioned Yellow, it was shown 161 00:10:47.960 --> 00:10:50.919 in our film festival, it got in Judy Award, and 162 00:10:51.879 --> 00:10:58.639 now LMSs can say in his portfolio his film got 163 00:10:59.200 --> 00:11:04.559 a shortlist in Oscars and it was also shown at 164 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:09.799 our festival. It opens doors for the filmmaker and the 165 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:14.480 film in a lot of ways. It becomes like a 166 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:17.879 domino effect and it can get accepted to many other 167 00:11:17.919 --> 00:11:22.440 film festivals. There's more eyes on it. The measuring and 168 00:11:22.559 --> 00:11:30.320 impact is difficult for small nonprofits like ours, but since 169 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:34.399 it just happened. That's one example for Yellow And this 170 00:11:34.559 --> 00:11:39.200 year we showed Anuja. Though Anuja didn't get an award 171 00:11:39.279 --> 00:11:43.360 in our festival, we can't take credit for that. It 172 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:47.799 was nominated for Oscars. So I think it's coming more 173 00:11:47.879 --> 00:11:51.159 and more. Impact will just grow from here. It's just 174 00:11:51.200 --> 00:11:56.120 the beginning. And yeah, what we have seen in the 175 00:11:56.159 --> 00:12:01.600 past many filmmakers who say Charmino Wade who

used to 176 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:05.919 send VHS tapes to us, Can we say, oh, she 177 00:12:06.039 --> 00:12:08.639 became big because of us. No, we can't say that, 178 00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:12.480 but we play a part in their journey of a 179 00:12:12.519 --> 00:12:20.440 filmmaker and their films. So yeah, we know Charmina Wad 180 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:23.559 for a long time. And Sean Exen whose film All 181 00:12:23.600 --> 00:12:28.720 That Breeds that got nominated in Oscars in twenty twenty three. 182 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:33.679 I believe he's also our alumni his first film and 183 00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:38.440 got award in our festival. So we would like to 184 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:43.080 say that we are supportive and want to really uplift 185 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:47.200 our filmmakers and their films. But it's never like one 186 00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:49.519 thing we did this for you, that's why you became 187 00:12:50.600 --> 00:12:53.360 so big. So we want to play we want to 188 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:58.320 uplift them and play part in their journey and becoming successful, and. 189 00:12:58.279 --> 00:13:01.080 That's amazing, that's fantastic. Look, I mean providing a platform 190 00:13:01.080 --> 00:13:03.240 for them to be able to be available whether they 191 00:13:03.600 --> 00:13:07.000 win or not. It's it's it's not necessarily as important. 192 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:09.320 But like you said back in the day, you're getting 193 00:13:09.360 --> 00:13:12.879 VHS tapes and so became successful from you know it, 194 00:13:13.000 --> 00:13:14.600 But there are others. Right, it's a journey, and we 195 00:13:14.679 --> 00:13:17.320 all know it's a journey. As a filmmaker myself, we 196 00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:20.559 know it's a journey, and it's a process and you 197 00:13:20.559 --> 00:13:22.840 you continue, but you get a platform. You get to 198 00:13:22.840 --> 00:13:25.000 be able to network, you get to meet people who 199 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:28.519 you can learn from. And also, as we know, even 200 00:13:28.679 --> 00:13:31.120 when you're you know, when you see somebody on screen 201 00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:33.399 who is brown, who's South Asian, and you can feel 202 00:13:33.399 --> 00:13:36.240 that you represented, that's so important. And then you get 203 00:13:36.240 --> 00:13:39.159 recognized on top of that, it's an amazing feeling. And 204 00:13:39.200 --> 00:13:42.399 you're providing that platform at the sphere for those people 205 00:13:43.720 --> 00:13:46.519 and pretty much that like that makes a huge difference 206 00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:50.639 to people's lives effectively, right, their stories maybe there that 207 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:54.600 are very close to their heart or whatever journey they're on, 208 00:13:54.679 --> 00:13:56.639 you know, maybe it helps them to get into other 209 00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:02.320 make more films or other festivals. Sure, So I'm curious 210 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:04.480 because it's been a while since you first started. It's 211 00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:06.919 your vision from the code with your co founder, for 212 00:14:07.840 --> 00:14:09.559 where do you think it is now? Obviously we know 213 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:13.039 about the Oscar qualifying piece of it, right, but in 214 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:16.600 terms of the films you're seeing as well, I mean, 215 00:14:17.440 --> 00:14:20.360 are you seeing any difference from when you first got 216 00:14:20.440 --> 00:14:23.840 those submissions? I am surely had many, and I'm curious 217 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:26.279 now how that's changed given the environment of nine to 218 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:29.159 eleven back then to what we're seeing now today. 219 00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:34.679 Yeah, I want to answer that question in two parts. 220 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:40.000 So where are we right now from where we started? 221 00:14:40.799 --> 00:14:43.679 And the second part whould be working the difference in 222 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:48.440 films that we used to get submitted back then and now. 223 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:56.000 So when we started, our whole mission was curate a 224 00:14:56.120 --> 00:15:01.600 dialogue around these topics and inspired social change and just 225 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:08.159 showcasing films was our goal. And there wasn't that much 226 00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:12.879 effort or resources because also we didn't have those to 227 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:16.720 put behind a filmmaker. Filmmakers were summita film and we 228 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:23.480 would showcase it. And so now where we are is 229 00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:28.159 we are have more capacity. We have we are a 230 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:33.879 full full time run a nonprofit film organization. We have staff, 231 00:15:34.320 --> 00:15:38.200 so we have created more initiatives. We are putting resources 232 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:42.440 behind filmmakers also so that stories are being told and 233 00:15:42.679 --> 00:15:45.480 come to fruition. If you have an idea, it can 234 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:50.440 come to a fruition. And we have initiatives like the 235 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:54.840 three Film Fund where we put give money three grants 236 00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:57.600 that we give every year twenty five thousand dollars each 237 00:15:57.720 --> 00:16:02.159 for short films. And we also have an effort to 238 00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:06.639 put the films on Alaska airlines. As a distribution platform, 239 00:16:07.159 --> 00:16:10.399 we have our own distribution platform, thus ree TV. We 240 00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:17.080 are kicking off slowly. This year we started the market 241 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:20.039 which we can talk more in a little bit. But 242 00:16:20.559 --> 00:16:24.919 we're putting more tools and resources behind filmmakers so they 243 00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:29.360 are supported and they can go into make their film. 244 00:16:30.120 -->

00:16:35.600 And your second question was what kind of changes we 245 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:38.799 have seen from the first time when they were making 246 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:42.120 and now so as I said, yeah, those used to 247 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:49.519 come on VHS, tape our better bet or something very 248 00:16:49.519 --> 00:16:55.600 big cassettes or thirty five millimeter reels. So and those 249 00:16:55.720 --> 00:17:03.799 were very monola like we have to call filmmakers and 250 00:17:03.919 --> 00:17:07.640 contact them and mostly they were coming from South Asia 251 00:17:07.880 --> 00:17:13.160 and people in North America. This side our South Asian 252 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:17.559 creative team had not grown that much because one there's 253 00:17:17.640 --> 00:17:23.720 a culture behind when our parents came, not mine, but 254 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:28.000 when we came, we all worked harder and we wanted 255 00:17:28.039 --> 00:17:31.920 to go into it or medical and all that. So 256 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:37.680 this South Asian daspera of filmmaking wasn't that big or 257 00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:41.240 growing and it was very limited, very few diaspora films 258 00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:44.599 back then. So more films from South Asia, South Asia, 259 00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:52.039 and now we have seen a huge explosion in those films. 260 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:57.559 Filmmaker based out of North America or outside South Asia 261 00:17:57.720 --> 00:18:01.200 making more and more films than the has gone up. 262 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:05.599 And so we are really enjoying and seeing those stories 263 00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:10.359 are being told and showing those stories. Yeah, that's thee 264 00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.039 that's a big difference. 265 00:18:13.279 --> 00:18:16.200 That's awesome and I think that's it's great to know 266 00:18:16.319 --> 00:18:18.720 the journey that's taken place over this period of time. 267 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:22.640 So we're gonna go on a quick break to just 268 00:18:22.960 --> 00:18:24.680 for and we'll come back to talk a little bit 269 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.799 more about the film festival. 270 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:35.119 Can we World got from the same stone? I very 271 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:38.279 swindows look. 272 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:47.240 To the stuff you're listening to Ruckus Avenue Radio, lift. 273 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:55.440 The honest Aleginy. So welcome back everyone and I have 274 00:18:55.599 --> 00:19:00.160 the pleasure of talking with the executive director for the 275 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:05.039 Sphere Film Festival, Rita Mayher, and she's also the co founder. 276 00:19:05.160 --> 00:19:07.119 So when we're talking a little bit about the journey 277 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:09.920 and how the film festival started, how things have evolved 278 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:12.880 since then, and she's sharing with us the fact that 279 00:19:12.920 --> 00:19:16.240 we have basically got a whole journey from VHS and 280 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:20.000 Beta taste little bit now to today and when this 281 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:23.200 festival first started, I think back in sort of two 282 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:27.519 thousand and one. I think it's a great opportunity for 283 00:19:27.720 --> 00:19:33.079 filmmakers everywhere. I'm curious about the international sort of zone 284 00:19:33.119 --> 00:19:36.400 on this snide. It's based in Seattle, right, so you 285 00:19:36.440 --> 00:19:38.200 are out here in the west becaust Can anybody submit 286 00:19:38.240 --> 00:19:40.519 from anywhere in the world. Does it have to be 287 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.359 from the US? 288 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:46.279 Yes, anyone can submit from anywhere in the world. It 289 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:49.599 has to be buying about South Asia or South Asian 290 00:19:49.640 --> 00:19:54.039 topic or you have to be South Asian making anything 291 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:58.359 any kind of film or anyone making on South Asia 292 00:19:59.119 --> 00:19:59.960 South Asia? 293 00:20:00.640 --> 00:20:03.240 Right, Okay, so it could be you know, I can 294 00:20:03.279 --> 00:20:05.440 have a complete white cast, but it's talking about South Asian. 295 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:11.359 Yes, all right, generated, But our programming committee will rate 296 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:12.440 it's all up to them. 297 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:17.160 But yeah, and I will ask this as well, because 298 00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:20.480 now you people are keen to submit to film festival, 299 00:20:20.759 --> 00:20:23.319 and it's great that there's more opportunities to make film 300 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.440 with the iPhones and whatnot. 301 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:27.319 So I always encourage people to make your film fail. 302 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:29.240 It's okay. You know, you learn as you go along 303 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:34.279 as any journey. What's your If somebody has looked a 304 00:20:34.440 --> 00:20:36.599 somebitting in a film for film there, and they'll be like, well, 305 00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.480 what's your criteria? 306 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:37.759 Does it? 307 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:39.640 Does it? You know? How can I go ahead and 308 00:20:39.839 --> 00:20:43.519 make sure that the programmers love it? And whatnot? Is 309 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:47.279 do you have a vetting process that it goes through? 310 00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:49.799 Is it large? And how long is it? What's what's 311 00:20:49.839 --> 00:20:50.720 that look like for people? 312 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:55.400 Yes, we put together a committee at the programming Programmers 313 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:59.839 committee where they review films as the films are coming 314 00:20:59.880 --> 00:21:03.440 in and they start watching the films and we say 315 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:07.359 every film has to be seen by minimum three programmers. 316 00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:12.759

They review and they mark and then we based on 317 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:15.440 how many we can fit in in our film festival, 318 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:21.920 which is about eighty two sometimes one hundred, we take 319 00:21:21.960 --> 00:21:27.799 the top eighty two hundred films I would say to 320 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:34.720 be successful. First submitted in a fully finished Try to 321 00:21:34.839 --> 00:21:42.759 walk the programmers and try to visualize and imagine how 322 00:21:42.799 --> 00:21:46.240 they could be watching it. There's this term starting to 323 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:52.680 come out that it should be iPhone proof for real proof, 324 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:56.240 like a person is being on their phone and watching 325 00:21:56.279 --> 00:22:02.200 the film. So try to get their attention in just 326 00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:11.160 a few minutes. Then you're solid. It's yeah. Try to 327 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:15.599 read up on our basic criteria qualification, which is on 328 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:20.680 our film freeway dot and see what kind of Just 329 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:23.200 do the research, what kind of films we have shown 330 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:26.759 in the past, whether it's a good fit, whether we 331 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:30.559 have shown if you're submitting a horror film, whether we 332 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:34.400 have shown horror films or not. Just do those kind 333 00:22:34.440 --> 00:22:37.680 of research and see whether it's worth your money to 334 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:39.680 submit the film. 335 00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:43.200 Yeah right, Yeah, that's good advice as well, especially because 336 00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:45.799 we just don't know what about in terms of how 337 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:47.119 many films do you get and how many you have 338 00:22:47.160 --> 00:22:47.759 to choose from. 339 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:54.319 Yeah, we get about last year we got about five 340 00:22:54.400 --> 00:23:00.400 hundred films, and to compare that to any in average 341 00:23:00.440 --> 00:23:03.160 a new film festival will get one hundred fifty to 342 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:06.319 two hundred films, we get about six hundred. All these 343 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:12.480 South Asian very focused niche topics made within a year, 344 00:23:12.680 --> 00:23:15.839 which is a huge number, and it's growing every year. 345 00:23:16.839 --> 00:23:19.000 So it's really if you think about it, for those 346 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:21.160 folks who are submitting, you know, if it's say six 347 00:23:21.240 --> 00:23:23.160 hundred films, I mean, you're probably don't even be able 348 00:23:23.160 --> 00:23:24.640 to get about eighty two one hundred in there. So 349 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:26.519 it's one in six or so, right, that's really going 350 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:28.640 to be able to make it so that you have 351 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:31.039 to make sure that it's kind of that fits the 352 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:34.720 criteria and they've done their research, they know what they're submittingful, 353 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:37.920 that's really good advice, and you know, have that sort 354 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:40.759 of like you said, I think I like that device 355 00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:43.000 kind of it could be a device of what going want. 356 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:45.200 I mean, I don't know what the programmers do. Hopefully 357 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:47.079 it's not on a freeway and they're watching on their 358 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:50.359 iPhone or something, but hopefully it's it could be on 359 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:53.359 an iPhone, is what you're saying. There was somebody who 360 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:56.079 was telling the other day, like, we've got to make 361 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:59.000 sure it's perfect for and the five point ones around 362 00:23:59.039 --> 00:24:02.279 sound they've got they've got you know, it's in four 363 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:05.200 K and when it's when it's in the cinema, it 364 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:08.279 will sound great, and I said, well, yes, that's fantastic 365 00:24:08.319 --> 00:24:11.519 when it's played. But keep in mind that I don't 366 00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:14.799 know if the programmers are going into this Dolby Theater 367 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:17.960 and watching and previewing films when they've got six hundred 368 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:20.519 to watch, right, So I think it's good advice for 369 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:23.599 people to I think that's actually very good advice to say. Look, 370 00:24:24.119 --> 00:24:26.880 make it that probably they're gonna watch on Vimeo because 371 00:24:27.079 --> 00:24:30.799 that's what film Freeway uses. Vimeo. So it's going to 372 00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:32.559 be streaming and it's probably not gonna be four K, 373 00:24:32.799 --> 00:24:35.680 but it's still visually enough for them to figure out 374 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:38.400 whether it's a film that they would think it's worthy 375 00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:39.359 of the festival. Correct. 376 00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:44.559 Yeah, I'm not talking about the device on which they're watching. 377 00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:50.680 I'm talking about their attention span. Now people are starting 378 00:24:50.720 --> 00:24:58.519 to do multitasking while doing something. You cannot watch without 379 00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:02.640 being getting disturbed. Acted even if you're watching something on Netflix, 380 00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:05.759 you're getting distracted. I start to do my emails. I 381 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:09.839 decided it. So they're saying that it should be a 382 00:25:09.960 --> 00:25:15.519 tension proof, distraction proof, like imagine if they're watching they're 383 00:25:15.559 --> 00:25:19.640 on their phone and watching your film, would where it 384 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:23.039 stand that test it's it's like an inner joke. 385 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:26.119 Yeah, yeah, I forget

it. I think what you're saying 386 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:28.680 is it's going to be at tension grabbing. So from 387 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:31.480 the outset, right, you can't be like, well it's going 388 00:25:31.559 --> 00:25:34.880 to get good in about five minutes. It's well, you 389 00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:37.160 know people are going to be It's just human nature, right, 390 00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:42.240 We're all distracted. Whether if you a buddy sends your film, they're. 391 00:25:42.039 --> 00:25:45.319 Not going to grab popcorn and their blankets and going 392 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:50.039 to oh, I'm going to spend my evening watching these 393 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:53.839 film file reviewing this film. F No, they take it 394 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:55.880 as a job. They're going to say, okay, I have 395 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:59.599 to get through twenty submissions, how do I do it? 396 00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:05.920 And there's maybe somebody is watching on slightly speed up. 397 00:26:06.119 --> 00:26:08.480 Now I'm saying that you have to think about all that. 398 00:26:08.559 --> 00:26:14.000 I'm just giving you too many inner things, like imagine 399 00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:19.759 their three reviewers are watching, and can just watch your 400 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:24.440 film doing all these different things, do slightly speed up, 401 00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:29.920 or do watch it on your computer, or do all 402 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:31.440 this as if you're a programmer. 403 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:35.000 And that's true, that's good, that's true. Sometimes I put 404 00:26:35.039 --> 00:26:37.200 my lens onto somebody's having a film. A friend sends 405 00:26:37.240 --> 00:26:39.920 me a film like, okay, I'll watch it, don't worry, 406 00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:42.759 and they you know, and I'm it's going to be 407 00:26:42.759 --> 00:26:45.799 sometimes distracted, right, You've got people, so but we try 408 00:26:45.839 --> 00:26:49.759 and you know, focusing on the things and something grabs 409 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:52.039 you like, oh okay, that's that's interesting. Let me let me 410 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:54.640 focus in on that. It's human nature. But that's good 411 00:26:54.720 --> 00:26:57.319 tips for everyone. So also, now I know that it's 412 00:26:57.359 --> 00:26:59.880 not just about the film festival. There's also a market, 413 00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:03.680 So let's talk about that. How would you for people 414 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:05.720 listening and like they're saying, okay, this here, yeah, I 415 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:08.039 know it's film festival. I'm hearing about this market as well. 416 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:08.799 What's that about? 417 00:27:10.119 --> 00:27:17.559 Yes, the market is unprecedented for any South Asian film 418 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:23.160 festival or an organization or film festival of our size 419 00:27:23.519 --> 00:27:27.319 because it's only being done at a very huge festivals 420 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:32.200 like Khan or Berlin or Busan and all that. So 421 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:40.799 what we are doing and trying to really disrupt the 422 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:44.640 film festival's circuit by adding a market to a festival 423 00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:50.680 of our size is really putting. I think we have 424 00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:54.759 to really move forward with just showcasing the films, but 425 00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:59.119 also create a space where when filmmakers invest in this 426 00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:01.799 money to come to a film festival. They are actually 427 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:05.799 also getting opportunity to meet with the decision makers and 428 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:11.279 putting producers and filmmakers directly in front of the decision makers. 429 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:17.599 We are bringing people from studios, production houses, investors or 430 00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:25.599 EPs who can actually invest in your idea. So we 431 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:30.680 had been thinking about this idea for many years, for 432 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:33.839 five six years, then COVID hit and finally and then 433 00:28:33.880 --> 00:28:38.079 the strikes happened in Hollywood, and then when that opened up, 434 00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:41.119 we said, let's kick this off. Let's try it out. 435 00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:46.160 Maybe first year, few filmmakers, few projects will be submitted, 436 00:28:46.240 --> 00:28:53.079 twenty to thirty. We got two hundred and eighty projects 437 00:28:53.119 --> 00:28:58.759 in the first year itself. In a pitching stage where 438 00:28:58.799 --> 00:29:04.319 they can pitch to a producer or a you know, studio. 439 00:29:05.319 --> 00:29:10.119 We selected about sixty projects from there and made them 440 00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:15.119 available to put a mad. We have a platform in 441 00:29:15.119 --> 00:29:17.880 our back end where they can upload their project and 442 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:20.759 their information and then we give access to all the 443 00:29:20.839 --> 00:29:24.920 studio people and they have access to it. We had 444 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:28.359 different stages. One would be in script stage and then 445 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:31.319 one would be mid level, one would be finished stage 446 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:35.519 of the film, and we had web series also which 447 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:39.359 we won't be continuing this year. We'll come back with 448 00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:44.400 that some other year and then both for future narrative 449 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:47.759 and feature documentary, not for short film. The market is 450 00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:54.960 for the future length and then what else We do 451 00:29:55.000 --> 00:30:02.440 have film fun We have delegates coming, we have networking events, 452 00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:09.039 we have industry panels where we provide more knowledge and 453 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:14.880 masterclasses to

all these filmmakers who are in the stage 454 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:20.799 of learning and getting more information. So people were just 455 00:30:21.519 --> 00:30:26.279 so happy we are filling in a huge gap that 456 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:30.400 exists right now, opening up many doors or trying to 457 00:30:30.440 --> 00:30:35.480 open up as many doors as possible. And everyone was 458 00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:41.920 so happy and went back with so much positive enthusiasm 459 00:30:42.200 --> 00:30:46.839 and wanting to come back and write something there. 460 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:50.720 That's I mean, that's that's like you said, unprecedented. So 461 00:30:50.759 --> 00:30:53.680 I mean you're going from unprecedented the next town precedent. 462 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:56.039 Sitting here like what would be the. 463 00:30:56.039 --> 00:30:58.680 Next Yeah, I'm I'm thinking to myself, Ante, this is 464 00:30:58.720 --> 00:31:01.079 this is a film market, now, what what is? What? 465 00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:02.599 What are you guys going to come up with next? 466 00:31:02.880 --> 00:31:04.920 You know, is we're going to say, like right now 467 00:31:04.920 --> 00:31:09.519 we're actually got another place with the sphere that exists 468 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:13.200 for South Asian filmmakers. No it's fantastic. I think part 469 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:15.160 of the reason. I mean, you and I were at Sundance, right, 470 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:18.440 so if you think about it, we were also out there. 471 00:31:18.799 --> 00:31:21.240 I mean, there are buyers out there. We're looking for buyers, 472 00:31:21.279 --> 00:31:23.960 and sellers are out there. So it's really a market 473 00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:26.200 anyway in its sense, but it's not focused. It's like 474 00:31:26.240 --> 00:31:29.480 you're trying to catch people and everybody's kind of doing 475 00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:32.359 those things. But too, this is differential. It's a focused 476 00:31:32.440 --> 00:31:35.519 area for people and I love that, right. It provides 477 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:38.640 an opportunity for people to meet, and you know, one 478 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:41.359 of the things is the camaraderie that you get, I know, 479 00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:44.240 you know with that sort of that buzz. I mean, 480 00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:46.200 one of the nicest things was just to feel that 481 00:31:46.240 --> 00:31:49.960 we're all here in this together and that there's events 482 00:31:50.000 --> 00:31:52.480 and parties going on and that we we can sort 483 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:56.000 of celebrate together. Right, Those wins, especially in the creative industry, 484 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:58.160 because there's no sort of like a regular sort of 485 00:31:58.240 --> 00:32:05.559 nine to five job. Badalon Man Mamashamil Hutchukai up, no man. 486 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:13.119 You're listening to Ruckus Avenue Radio Avenue available now on 487 00:32:13.359 --> 00:32:25.279 the free iHeart Radio Shine. 488 00:32:27.640 --> 00:32:30.039 But so I think in terms of how long is 489 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:33.079 the festival for the Spear Festival. 490 00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:37.000 Then it's one week. We will start on a Tuesday, 491 00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:40.720 seventh through twelfth Sunday, gotcha? 492 00:32:40.839 --> 00:32:43.039 All right? And do you have it on pretty much 493 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:43.799 the same time. 494 00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:46.359 And every year yes, in October? 495 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:51.160 Right, and so this year, what do you do that's 496 00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:52.680 a huge celebration? Then is there going to be a 497 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:54.559 big party that people should be aware of. They're gonna 498 00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:55.000 come over. 499 00:32:55.880 --> 00:33:03.119 Oh party, we love parties videos and uh yeah, dance party, 500 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:07.559 networking party every evening we can with. 501 00:33:07.720 --> 00:33:10.640 It right right? Right? Then? So you have sponsors and 502 00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:15.240 things like that, just like these things happen right every year. 503 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:19.440 We have everything, We have great ideas. The word we 504 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:23.960 don't have is enough money. So if this video a 505 00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:27.599 program could do a pitch for us and say please 506 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:31.680 sponsor us, we would we promise we will make it 507 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.799 worth your while. 508 00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:35.960 Well, I mean, this is the opportunity to amplify that. 509 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:37.359 So for people listening out there, they want to be 510 00:33:37.400 --> 00:33:40.759 able to sponsor the Sphere Film Festival, here is an 511 00:33:40.759 --> 00:33:43.359 opportunity for you to have that. It is a nonprofit, 512 00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:45.640 but it's a great way to get your brand out there, 513 00:33:45.759 --> 00:33:48.400 especially because it's Oscar qualifying you have a market there 514 00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:50.960 as well. With that, I'm going to take a quick break, 515 00:33:53.599 --> 00:33:56.079 so welcome back everyone, and welcome back to Rockers Avenue. 516 00:33:56.160 --> 00:33:59.119 Radio might show Bollywood to Hollywood, and I have retail 517 00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:02.839 Mayha from this sphere telling us all about how wonderful 518 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:05.559 and amazing the film festival is going to be honest 519 00:34:05.599 --> 00:34:07.960 and also having fun with it right the parties as well. 520 00:34:08.159 --> 00:34:10.760 I mean, look, you it's one thing to talk about 521 00:34:10.800 --> 00:34:12.840 the sort of process. Everybody's worked really hard to get 522 00:34:12.840 --> 00:34:15.480 the film there. They do want to celebrate it, whether 523 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:18.840 that it wins or it doesn't win. So I think, 524 00:34:18.880 -->

00:34:20.280 you know that's part of what we had the fun. 525 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:22.480 You know, you have got all these film festivals, even 526 00:34:22.519 --> 00:34:26.440 at Sundance and others. How do you feel like about 527 00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:29.719 is there this particular type of sponsor or that you're 528 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:33.039 looking for that is out there or you know, what 529 00:34:33.079 --> 00:34:35.079 are your current sponsors like? And you know you've been 530 00:34:35.159 --> 00:34:37.880 there doing this in the twentieth years, so it could 531 00:34:37.880 --> 00:34:39.719 be something very celebratory, right. 532 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:47.119 Yes, we are looking for all range of sponsors, brand partners. 533 00:34:47.679 --> 00:34:50.920 We have a producer lab that we are starting this 534 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:55.159 year for South Asian producers. We need someone to underwrite 535 00:34:55.239 --> 00:35:01.679 that program. We are looking for development fund sponsors. Yes, 536 00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:05.480 we do thus Free Film Fund and that's already been 537 00:35:05.599 --> 00:35:09.039 taken care of by Netflix. We want to create more 538 00:35:09.519 --> 00:35:15.239 development funds for documentary feature documentary Development Fund. We want 539 00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:22.519 that to be sponsored, and we want award sponsorship anywhere, 540 00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:28.559 like a transformative gift that could really go little bit further. 541 00:35:30.000 --> 00:35:32.360 We would love that. We would love that support, but 542 00:35:32.639 --> 00:35:35.840 at any level. If you want to support in different 543 00:35:35.880 --> 00:35:42.280 ways or in kind, cash, donation and contribution, we are 544 00:35:43.400 --> 00:35:44.719 we would love to know about that. 545 00:35:45.079 --> 00:35:49.800 And it's also five to one we see, so if. 546 00:35:49.639 --> 00:35:52.840 You donate, your money will be tax exempted. 547 00:35:53.159 --> 00:35:55.480 Right, Okay, that's awesome to know for those people who 548 00:35:55.519 --> 00:35:59.280 do want to donate. Yeah, so I think that's a 549 00:35:59.320 --> 00:36:02.159 real opportunity. What about this year, how's it going to 550 00:36:02.159 --> 00:36:04.039 be different being the twentieth year. Is this some kind 551 00:36:04.039 --> 00:36:07.480 of a specific thing that you're focused but you're. 552 00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:14.480 Doing so being the twentieth year, we will be and 553 00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:17.320 second year for the film market. Yes, there will be 554 00:36:17.320 --> 00:36:21.480 a lot of celebration around the twentieth year. We are 555 00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:24.119 still in the planning mode, so you will hear more 556 00:36:24.159 --> 00:36:31.000 about it, just more focus on bringing diverse stories to 557 00:36:31.400 --> 00:36:40.599 our festival and more opportunities and as I mentioned Producer's Lab, 558 00:36:40.639 --> 00:36:45.519 that's for the market. Yeah, we're still in planning mode. 559 00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:47.320 You will hear about it, you don't hear about. 560 00:36:47.119 --> 00:36:49.719 It, so's to be determined to keep following the spear, 561 00:36:49.760 --> 00:36:51.760 the organ and so forth. I think you're kind of 562 00:36:51.760 --> 00:36:53.760 saying that it will come up and you're going to 563 00:36:53.760 --> 00:36:57.599 make those announcements. That's really really exciting. What about just 564 00:36:57.599 --> 00:36:59.320 shifting gears for a second. I want to like talk 565 00:36:59.360 --> 00:37:02.079 about yourself that you you know you set this up. 566 00:37:02.199 --> 00:37:04.440 I mean growing up or you involved in film? Was 567 00:37:04.480 --> 00:37:06.800 it something that your parents would encourage you to do? 568 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:09.800 Because being a South Asian person, there's so many times 569 00:37:09.800 --> 00:37:11.679 I have people on the podcast too they're like, well, 570 00:37:11.719 --> 00:37:14.000 you know, I became a doctor or I became you know, 571 00:37:14.239 --> 00:37:15.960 into but I always wanted to make a film, and 572 00:37:16.000 --> 00:37:18.559 then sometimes I do. I mean I've had somebody who 573 00:37:18.800 --> 00:37:21.320 who was a doctor who said I'm now a filmmaker. 574 00:37:21.559 --> 00:37:24.320 It's fantastic. I always tell people you can do different things, 575 00:37:24.360 --> 00:37:28.679 don't worry about it. A BYuT yourself, I mean, was 576 00:37:28.840 --> 00:37:29.199 how was. 577 00:37:29.199 --> 00:37:34.000 Your sort of Yeah, well my story is also similar. 578 00:37:34.239 --> 00:37:38.960 My parents I wanted to go into films or in 579 00:37:39.000 --> 00:37:46.039 some form or other. Of course, my parents I love 580 00:37:46.079 --> 00:37:51.400 them and supporting their decisions, but they didn't let me 581 00:37:51.480 --> 00:37:54.440 go into film. But I always thought about it, how 582 00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:58.400 to get involved with it. But I didn't become Thank god, 583 00:37:58.440 --> 00:38:02.920 I didn't become a doctor and never passed any entrance 584 00:38:03.000 --> 00:38:08.679 exam for that. So I ended up becoming a Japanese 585 00:38:08.760 --> 00:38:15.199 translator in India in Japanese. And then I went to Japan, 586 00:38:15.519 --> 00:38:20.920 lived there for a while for four years, and anywhere 587 00:38:20.960 --> 00:38:24.599 I got an opportunity to do something arts or creative work. 588 00:38:24.639 --> 00:38:28.320 I started a film club, I worked in their TV station, 589 00:38:28.559 --> 00:38:34.840 did their one English program. I started with my colleague, 590 00:38:35.360 --> 00:38:37.840 and then when I came here, I started. I made 591 00:38:37.880 --> 00:38:41.559 a short film right after nine to eleven, which is 592 00:38:41.599 --> 00:38:49.400 the genesis of starting Tuesweed or with Fara. After experience 593

00:38:50.079 --> 00:38:52.559 in some hate incident, I said I want to make 594 00:38:52.599 --> 00:38:58.440 a film on my experience, and that got the ball rolling. 595 00:38:58.679 --> 00:39:03.159 I signed up at a local community college and took 596 00:39:03.719 --> 00:39:09.039 video production classes and made a short film called Citizenship 597 00:39:09.079 --> 00:39:13.559 one on one based on my experience. And so I 598 00:39:13.760 --> 00:39:19.199 always was very determined about whatever I put my head into, 599 00:39:19.320 --> 00:39:22.519 like I want to try that out and do that. 600 00:39:22.760 --> 00:39:28.440 And I didn't have enough resources and support in India. 601 00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:31.920 But once I moved to Japan and US as a 602 00:39:32.760 --> 00:39:35.559 oh there's a chance I can do anything I want 603 00:39:35.679 --> 00:39:36.480 and took the. 604 00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:39.360 That's to you to be able to do that and 605 00:39:39.679 --> 00:39:43.159 speak Japanese. Who knew that you speak Japanese did in 606 00:39:43.280 --> 00:39:48.400 Japanese translations and so well, this is amazing, I think. Yeah. 607 00:39:48.440 --> 00:39:52.000 I mean, so if an incident kind of inspired you 608 00:39:52.039 --> 00:39:54.039 as well, this is things that are Sometimes it's an 609 00:39:54.079 --> 00:39:56.960 incident that does kind of make you sort of spur 610 00:39:57.079 --> 00:39:59.199 you want to be more determined rather than sort of 611 00:39:59.199 --> 00:40:02.000 push back even more, which is really good to hear that, 612 00:40:02.079 --> 00:40:04.920 you know, it inspire. I love hearing about that. I 613 00:40:04.920 --> 00:40:08.159 I was watching the short Alien, which was also nominated 614 00:40:08.239 --> 00:40:11.679 for an Oscar. It went, but it was interesting to see, 615 00:40:12.000 --> 00:40:15.440 you know how it sort of hits home in it's 616 00:40:15.440 --> 00:40:17.960 sort of like even current climates and so forth. So 617 00:40:19.840 --> 00:40:23.679 and what's what's kind of your vision? And I mean 618 00:40:23.719 --> 00:40:26.199 when you look back and whether it's your parents or 619 00:40:26.199 --> 00:40:30.159 families like well, wow, I mean the film festival, you know, 620 00:40:30.239 --> 00:40:33.199 rather than you know and you're and you're successful, they 621 00:40:33.199 --> 00:40:34.800 look back and say, well, I didn't know you could 622 00:40:34.800 --> 00:40:37.079 do that. We thought, you know, you would just end 623 00:40:37.159 --> 00:40:40.000 up doing some corporate thing or you know, whether it's 624 00:40:40.679 --> 00:40:43.599 some sort of a you know, being a doctor, et cetera. 625 00:40:43.760 --> 00:40:45.800 How do they view it? 626 00:40:45.880 --> 00:40:50.679 My my family, my parents, they're very very proud. They 627 00:40:51.000 --> 00:40:58.280 are very proud. It's still for my father, I explain what, 628 00:40:58.719 --> 00:41:02.320 but he came after in his

eighteenth or nineteenth year, 629 00:41:02.440 --> 00:41:05.119 he came in no, sorry, eighteenth year, he came and 630 00:41:05.239 --> 00:41:09.599 visited our film festival. Love did it and it was 631 00:41:10.280 --> 00:41:13.760 it was you know, when a child can see how 632 00:41:13.800 --> 00:41:19.880 their parents is proud of their it's just there's no 633 00:41:20.039 --> 00:41:25.199 word to it. You can't explain. And so now they're 634 00:41:25.320 --> 00:41:31.360 very proud and they know I'm doing something different. All 635 00:41:31.400 --> 00:41:35.559 my siblings are either software engineers or bank officer or 636 00:41:36.159 --> 00:41:39.679 they're doing very well. But my path is a little 637 00:41:39.679 --> 00:41:48.960 bit different than all. So I and then my son 638 00:41:49.119 --> 00:41:52.280 is now I support him. He's going to go into music, 639 00:41:52.320 --> 00:41:57.719 he's going to do so I following what I. 640 00:41:57.719 --> 00:42:02.000 Preach, right, Yeah, Yeahlarly, that's that's fantastic. So you're actually 641 00:42:02.679 --> 00:42:05.519 going forward to that. It's amazing. I'm I'm really happy 642 00:42:05.559 --> 00:42:09.320 to hear that. So what's what's next? So, Okay, you've 643 00:42:09.360 --> 00:42:11.960 got you know this, this film, do you have any 644 00:42:11.960 --> 00:42:15.360 ambitions to do anything different? And I'm curious also, it's 645 00:42:15.360 --> 00:42:17.320 the second part to the question is I've had some 646 00:42:17.320 --> 00:42:19.039 people say to me, I want to make a film 647 00:42:19.079 --> 00:42:22.119 festival too. I think I'm going to do that. How 648 00:42:23.039 --> 00:42:26.159 how how feasible is that? Did they want to do 649 00:42:26.199 --> 00:42:26.880 that as well? 650 00:42:28.280 --> 00:42:33.679 Yeah, anyone can do it. It's it's not like there 651 00:42:33.719 --> 00:42:38.199 is no book about it or formula. It's a lot 652 00:42:38.320 --> 00:42:46.159 of perseverance and continuity because as you know, how arts 653 00:42:46.280 --> 00:42:49.800 is viewed in our community or culture, and and if 654 00:42:49.840 --> 00:42:55.920 it's not the main international film festival, it's a very 655 00:42:56.000 --> 00:42:59.199 niche market. So it depends what kind of films and 656 00:42:59.320 --> 00:43:04.519 topic and team you're doing. But just be at it, 657 00:43:04.599 --> 00:43:07.760 and you know that there will be lots of ups 658 00:43:07.800 --> 00:43:14.239 and downs, but if you have the right determination, everything 659 00:43:14.760 --> 00:43:18.199 will work out. You have to really work hard at it. 660 00:43:19.880 --> 00:43:26.679 So what's next for it? So we want to take 661 00:43:26.800 --> 00:43:32.400 the speech to a level where one it's I always say, 662 00:43:32.480 --> 00:43:34.400 I want it to be the Sundance of the South 663 00:43:34.440 --> 00:43:39.719 Asian Film Festival, where we have an institute in the background, 664 00:43:39.760 --> 00:43:46.599 where we are providing education, training, knowledge for emerging new 665 00:43:46.639 --> 00:43:51.519 filmmakers and creators. We are also supporting them. We are 666 00:43:51.559 --> 00:43:56.039 finding money for them, funding for them, mentorship for them. 667 00:43:56.519 --> 00:44:02.400 So we want it to be one star, all encompassing 668 00:44:02.960 --> 00:44:11.559 a really strong film and arts organization and yeah, starting 669 00:44:11.599 --> 00:44:21.000 more labs and more knowledge and amals and everything that 670 00:44:21.079 --> 00:44:25.079 we can provide to become a filmmaker or a storyteller. 671 00:44:26.320 --> 00:44:30.039 Yeah, it's amazing. Yeah, I mean hopefully that those dreams 672 00:44:30.079 --> 00:44:33.039 will also come true and will obviously see how to 673 00:44:33.119 --> 00:44:35.719 sort of progress from success to success. I have one 674 00:44:35.800 --> 00:44:38.199 last question for you. Really it's just too you know, 675 00:44:39.559 --> 00:44:41.760 and it's just to put you on the spot here, 676 00:44:41.800 --> 00:44:44.800 but if you had a choice or to invite two 677 00:44:44.840 --> 00:44:49.239 people for dinner, they're dead or alive, and I'm curious 678 00:44:49.239 --> 00:44:52.760 it can be anybody. So and you had the chance 679 00:44:52.800 --> 00:44:55.000 to spend that time with them, who would they be? 680 00:44:55.440 --> 00:44:56.719 And why? 681 00:44:58.599 --> 00:45:07.840 Wow? Yes it was One name always comes to me 682 00:45:07.880 --> 00:45:10.719 as mir and Ayer. I see her as my north 683 00:45:10.800 --> 00:45:15.320 star and always see her as my mentor. Even though 684 00:45:15.360 --> 00:45:18.440 if I don't get to talk to her as a mentor, 685 00:45:18.480 --> 00:45:21.360 I always follow her journey. So I would love to 686 00:45:21.480 --> 00:45:26.000 have dinner with her or meal with her the other person. 687 00:45:26.199 --> 00:45:32.320 I would say, Uh, I don't know who else could 688 00:45:32.320 --> 00:45:38.320 that be? I have to think about it. I I 689 00:45:38.360 --> 00:45:41.199 don't know if it should be in the film world, or. 690 00:45:43.039 --> 00:45:45.760 It could be personal or film world, or you know, 691 00:45:45.840 --> 00:45:50.760 I may maybe in that mm hmmm, which whichever, it 692 00:45:50.760 --> 00:45:53.039 doesn't really matter. Some people have said things like there 693 00:45:54.679 --> 00:45:57.000 their parents if they weren't you know, live or you know, 694 00:45:57.000 --> 00:45:57.360 and what not? 695 00:45:57.920 --> 00:46:02.079 Be Obama. I would love it, right right? 696 00:46:02.199 --> 00:46:04.679 Yeah, No, that'd be very interesting, right, it would be 697 00:46:04.760 --> 00:46:10.039 very interesting dinner Obama. And yeah, it's amazing. There's no 698 00:46:10.119 --> 00:46:12.800 right wrong answer. It's just more like, you know, kind 699 00:46:12.800 --> 00:46:15.480 of put what would be very interesting to have right 700 00:46:15.719 --> 00:46:16.920 together in one place? 701 00:46:16.960 --> 00:46:19.400 And my goodness Oprah of course Oprah? 702 00:46:19.519 --> 00:46:21.440 Yeah, oh yeah, absolutely. 703 00:46:21.920 --> 00:46:22.920 Can I ring three? 704 00:46:23.519 --> 00:46:26.440 Yeah, I mean you can. It's one only has two, 705 00:46:26.480 --> 00:46:29.159 but you can have to say no to the other person. 706 00:46:29.719 --> 00:46:32.360 Uh so would it be? Would it be Oprah versus Obama? 707 00:46:32.440 --> 00:46:35.679 If you had a choice? Mira Nyan, Okay, cool, Cool, 708 00:46:35.880 --> 00:46:37.960 that's that's good to know. Yeah, I mean I think 709 00:46:38.000 --> 00:46:42.599 that'd be very interesting dinner. Right. And and they're they're 710 00:46:42.599 --> 00:46:46.440 both around, so you can you can do that. 711 00:46:46.480 --> 00:46:50.119 They listen to they will listen to your radio program 712 00:46:50.280 --> 00:46:53.760 and they'll see readers asking we'll just. 713 00:46:53.760 --> 00:46:56.679 Have to tag them on. Then we'll basically get them 714 00:46:56.719 --> 00:46:59.519 to say, look, you were mentioned here, so you never know. 715 00:47:02.119 --> 00:47:05.519 Now there's been wonderful chatting with you Rita and hearing 716 00:47:05.519 --> 00:47:09.440 more about the sphere and you know, and thank you 717 00:47:09.559 --> 00:47:11.920 for doing so much for the community as well, the 718 00:47:11.960 --> 00:47:15.079 South Asian community and in large, and I hope it 719 00:47:15.079 --> 00:47:17.599 goes from strength to strength. I'm looking forward to being 720 00:47:17.599 --> 00:47:18.199 there as well. 721 00:47:18.239 --> 00:47:24.079 And you know, I think it's I'm glad that it's 722 00:47:24.199 --> 00:47:27.639 the will celebrate the twentieth this time around, right, it's 723 00:47:27.639 --> 00:47:28.480 a big achievement. 724 00:47:29.119 --> 00:47:31.320 So thanks the weak mayor. 725 00:47:32.239 --> 00:47:35.199 Yeah, thank you coming on and I look forward to 726 00:47:35.280 --> 00:47:36.639 having you with us this year. 727 00:47:36.760 --> 00:47:39.599 FADA twenty eight year, Thank you 728 00:47:57.360 --> 00:48:02.039 The world's most listened to South Aision radio and podcast 729 00:48:02.280 --> 00:48:02.760 network