Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles Announces Jury and Special Events
International Director's Cut of Bollywood Blockbuster MY NAME IS KHAN added to film slate
LOS ANGELES, CA (April 14, 2010) – The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) today announced a distinguished group of jury members and a full spectrum of events to take place at its 8th annual festival at ArcLight Hollywood. New to the film line-up is Fox Searchlight Pictures’ international director’s cut of the Bollywood blockbuster, MY NAME IS KHAN. Other events include seminars at Creative Artists Agency (CAA); an exciting online auction; the return of Rhythm Village; a free Final Draft scriptwriting seminar; and the prestigious IFFLA Industry Leadership Award Luncheon. The 2010 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles runs from Tuesday, April 20ththrough Sunday, April 25th.
IFFLA SEMINARS
IFFLA’s commitment to fostering business relationships in the growing global entertainment industry continues with this year’s IFFLA SEMINARS. IFFLA Executive Director Christina Marouda and Chair of the Board Arnold Peter will welcome industry leaders, filmmakers, and participants to the day’s panels, which will be held on Friday, April 23RD, in the Ray Kurtzman Theater at CAA, 2000 Avenue of the Stars in Century City. Registration begins at 1 PM. Tickets are available online at www.indianfilmfestival.org.
A panel addressing THE FUTURE OF TALENT REPRESENTATION IN A GLOBAL ECONOMY will be moderated by Disney Channel Director of Development Reena Singh with participants including Screen Actors Guild National Executive Director David White and casting directors Uma da Cunha and Randy Hiller and actors Samrat Chakrabarti (THE WAITING CITY) and Omi Vaidya (3 IDIOTS). The RELIANCE MEDIAWORKS PRESENTATION on special effects and visual design in film as seen in director James Cameron’s Academy Award® winning 3-D feature film, AVATAR, will be made by Reliance MediaWorks executive Alan Silvers. Microsoft’s Blair Westlake moderates a panel including University of Southern California’s David Wertheimer, Nick DeMartino of the American Film Institute, and Paradigm Consulting President Peter Broderick, who will address ALTERNATIVE DISTRIBUTION PLATFORMS: TECHNOLOGY IN SEARCH OF A BUSINESS MODEL. Event is sponsored by CAA and Peter, Rubin & Simon, LLP.
“The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles is expanding exponentially as both the industry and the Los Angeles audiences discover what we have to offer,” said IFFLA Executive Director Christina Marouda. “Returning festival goers will find some of their favorite events with the addition of new programs designed for professionals and the general public to enjoy. We are also particularly proud of the jury members who have chosen to join us this year,” she added. “Our intention is to reflect the deepening relationship between India’s and Hollywood’s entertainment industries as we collectively approach new horizons in technology and content,” said IFFLA Board of Directors Chair Arnold Peter.
INTERNATIONAL DIRECTOR’S CUT SCREENING OF “MY NAME IS KHAN”
IFFLA is proud to present the international director’s cut screening of MY NAME IS KHAN, which will be released in the U.S. by Fox Searchlight Pictures on May 7th. The film is directed by acclaimed Karan Johar and stars Bollywood favorites Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. The romantic drama tells the story of Riswan Khan, a Muslim man from Mumbai who is dealing with Asperger’s syndrome, a high functioning form of autism. Riswan marries a Hindu single mother who lives in San Francisco and goes to the U.S. to be with her. Arriving at the airport after 9/11, he is arrested when authorities mistake his disability for suspicious behavior. When aided by a therapist who helps him deal with his affliction and his situation, he begins a journey to meet President Obama to clear his name. MY NAME IS KHAN will be screened as part of IFFLA’s signature Bollywood By Night film section.
Jury members for the 2010 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles are:
FEATURE JURY
Debra Martin Chase is a two-time Emmy® nominated motion picture and television producer. Her company, Martin Chase Productions, has been an affiliate of the Walt Disney Company for over nine years. Debra is the first African-American female producer to have a solo producing deal at a major studio. Among her many successes, Debra produced THE PRINCESS DIARIES films, THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS, executive produced Disney’s THE CHEETAH GIRLS, and along with Denzel Washington, executive produced HANK AARON: CHASING THE DREAM, which was nominated for an Academy Award® and an Emmy®. She serves on numerous advisory boards and has been honored by Essence Magazine and Ebony Magazine as one of the most influential African-American women in the world. Debra’s current producing project JUST WRIGHT starring Queen Latifah is scheduled for release in May 2010.
Radha Mitchell has starred in numerous film and television shows opposite some of the most talented actors in the industry. Of particular note are THE CHILDREN OF HUANG SHI with Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Chow Yun-Fat, FEAST OF LOVE, alongside Morgan Freeman and Greg Kinnear, and FINDING NEVERLAND starring opposite Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet and Dustin Hoffman. Other highlights include MAN ON FIRE with Denzel Washington and PHONE BOOTH with Colin Farrell. Two of her most memorable performances were in Woody Allen’s MELINDA AND MELINDA and Lisa Cholodenko's critically acclaimed drama HIGH ART. Her role in LOVE AND OTHER CATASTROPHES was highly praised at both the Cannes and Sundance film festivals. WAITING CITY, which she also co-produced, premiered at the 2009 Toronto International Film Festival. Originally from Australia, Radha can currently be seen onscreen in THE CRAZIES.
Shannyn Sossamon came to Los Angeles to pursue a career in dance the day after her high school graduation. Shortly thereafter she was spotted by casting director Francine Maisler, who was instrumental in getting Shannyn the lead in her first film, A KNIGHT'S TALE opposite Heath Ledger. She went on to star in 40 DAYS AND 40 NIGHTS, THE RULES OF ATTRACTION and WRISTCUTTERS: A LOVE STORY. She recently starred in the independent features ROAD TO NOWHERE, directed by Monte Hellman, and MAN WITHOUT A HEAD for newcomer director Johnny Roc.
SHORTS JURY
Rajeev Dassani is an award-winning writer and director whose films have screened at festivals around the world. He grew up as a visual artist and painter, before studying film at the University of Southern California, where he won among other awards the James Bridges Directing Award, The Barbara Corday Award and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Award. His USC thesis film, A DAY’S WORK has played at over 65 film festivals, and won numerous awards including the gold medal at the Student Academy Awards®. Rajeev has sold and developed several scripts with major studios and independent producers. His first feature will be shooting this fall. Rajeev also co-owns the visual effects firm Master Key VFX with his identical twin brother Elan Dassani.
Navi Rawat is best known as “Amita Ramanujan,” the brilliant mathematician who helps the FBI solve crimes on the hit television show NUMB3RS. Navi has created an impressive acting career in television and motion pictures. She has shown her versatility with action-heavy roles in 24, ANGEL and THOUGHTCRIMES, dramatic turns on THE OC and films such as THE HOUSE OF SAND AND FOG and OCEAN OF PEARLS.
Kim Yutani is a feature film programmer for the Sundance Film Festival. She also oversees short film programming for Sundance where she has been a shorts programmer for four years. Kim is the Director of Programming of Outfest and oversees the Access LA program, which includes the Outfest Screenwriting Lab. She was recently a guest curator for Cinemasia, an Asian film festival in Amsterdam, and for the Hong Kong Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. She has served on juries at the Toronto International Film Festival, the Berlin International Film Festival, and Palm Springs International ShortFest. Prior to her film festival work, Kim was a film critic and freelance journalist focusing on independent film.
DOCUMENTARY JURY
Gregg Helvey is an Oscar nominee and Student Academy Award® winner, who has filmed in countries such as El Salvador, China, Kenya and England on projects ranging from National Geographic and BBC1 documentaries to independent fictional films. Gregg seeks to combine his passion for social justice with powerful storytelling. Gregg’s short film KAVI, winner of the IFFLA 2010 Audience Award for Best Short, tells the story of a young boy who wants to play cricket and go to school, but instead is forced to work in a brick kiln as a modern-day slave. Filmed in India, Gregg wrote, directed and produced this 2009 Oscar-nominated film. Gregg received his M.F.A in film production from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts, and his B.A. in English and French from the University of Virginia.
Senain Kheshgi is a Peabody Award-winning producer and director. She began her career working as a researcher for the Smithsonian Institution in their Human Studies Film Archives. She later worked in independent film at First Run Features and Women Make Movies before venturing into television news and documentary filmmaking. Her credits include Associate Producer for HOOVER STREET REVIVAL (2002), THE FIRST YEAR (2001) and TEACH (2001). In 2008, she directed PROJECT KASHMIR with Geeta Patel about their journey to Kashmir to provide two different perspectives of the politics and lives of ordinary people in the conflicted area. PROJECT KASHMIR is scheduled to air on PBS in May 2010. Senain is currently developing a narrative feature based on her father's journey from being Pakistan’s most famous television game show host in the 1960's to his life in the American South in the 1980's.
Sonali Kolhatkar is host and executive producer of Uprising, a morning drive-time radio program on KPFK Pacifica 90.7 FM in Los Angeles. Uprising is also a weekly syndicated show, airing on over 16 stations nationwide. Sonali is the co-director of the US-based non-profit organization, Afghan Women's Mission, which works in solidarity with political women's groups in Afghanistan. She is the co-author of Bleeding Afghanistan: Washington, Warlords, and the Propaganda of Silence. Before turning to public radio, Sonali worked at the California Institute of Technology, testing software for a NASA space telescope. In addition to her diverse experiences, she is an artist, musician, and web-developer.
IFFLA ONLINE AUCTION NOW IN PROGRESS at www.indianfilmfestival.com!! Visit the website to compete for fabulous auction items offered by the 2010 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. Winning bidders can experience luxurious and exciting vacations in Greece, enjoy a private dinner for 12 with the Winemakers of Divya Wines or a specially prepared dinner for 4 at Sam’s By The Beach in Santa Monica. Winning bids not only land these incredible prizes, they also help to support the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles in continuing to bring audiences the work of talented filmmakers of Indian descent and an array of wonderful events. HURRY! The auction ends at MIDNIGHT on APRIL 27, 2010. Place your bids today!
Rhythm Village, a “don’t miss” free event featuring vibrant and eclectic live music and dance, is once again presented by Rukus Avenue (www.rukusavenue.com) in the ArcLight Hollywood courtyard. Wander through dazzlingly decorated tents and join in on the high-spirited festivities. Highlights include renowned vocal artist Mala Ganguli, the internationally acclaimed singer/songwriter/producers Gingger Shankar and Shaheen Sheik and stand-up comedienne/actress Rasika Mathur, the percussive beat of Dhol Nation, pioneering Punjabi rapper Kanwar Gill, neo-noir ska/rock/funk/punk/R&B band Midnight Radio and the nation’s premier Bollywood dance company, NDM Bollywood Dance Productions. From Wednesday through Saturday, April 21th-24th. Performances begin at 6 PM, April 21-23, and at 2 PM on April 24. All are welcome.
FREE Final Draft Product Demonstration Final Draft will demonstrate the many capabilities of their scriptwriting software on Saturday, April 24, at 11am at ArcLight Hollywood. The worldwide market leader and entertainment industry standard for scriptwriting, Final Draft is now in its 20th year and up to its eighth version. This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available at Will Call beginning April 21st at 6:00pm.
On April 22nd, we celebrate Earth Day with IFFLA EcoVision, the festival’s initiative to reduce its ecological footprint and spread awareness by utilizing eco-friendly products and processes.
FREE IFFLA Film Fund Stage Reading IFFLA Film Fund will host a staged reading of Development Grant winner Kranti Kanade’s screenplay AGAINST ITSELF on Sunday, April 25, at 11am at ArcLight Hollywood. This event is free and open to the public. Tickets are available at Will Call beginning April 21st at 6:00pm.
The Third Annual IFFLA Industry Leadership Award is sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Reliance MediaWorks will honor two individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary leadership within the entertainment community and in relation to India. Sharing the 2010 Industry Leadership Award are Sanford Panitch, President of Fox International Productions, and Uday Shankar, CEO of Star India. This year’s Industry Trailblazer Award will be presented to motion picture producerAshok Amritraj, celebrating the release of his 100th film this year.
Reliance MediaWorks’ Uday Kumar, Head of U.S. Business Operations, will be the keynote speaker. Presenters include Fox Filmed Entertainment Chairman Jim Gianopulos and National Executive of the Screen Actors Guild David White.
The IFFLA Industry Leadership Award Luncheon will be held on April 22nd at the House of Blues Los Angeles.
Performing at the luncheon will be TAAL Dance Collective, and So You Think You Can Dance choreographers Nakul Dev Mahajan (NDM Bollywood Dance Productions, Inc) and Luther Brown.
OPENING AND CLOSING NIGHT GALAS
The 2010 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles opens on April 20th with a Gala featuring the Los Angeles premiere of Dilip Mehta’s COOKING WITH STELLA. The film stars Lisa Ray, who will attend the event with director Mehta. The Opening Night Gala is sponsored by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) with support from the Canadian Consulate of Los Angeles and Telefilm Canada as a benefit for the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research in Beverly Hills.
The Closing Night Gala is highlighted by a screening of the Australian production of THE WAITING CITY, directed by Claire McCarthy and starring Radha Mitchell, Joel Edgerton and Samrat Chakrabarti. Mitchell, who also co-produced the film, will be in attendance with her co-star Chakrabarti and director Claire McCarthy on Sunday, April 25th at ArcLight Hollywood. Opening and closing night galas will be sponsored by Chakra Cuisine which will provide a spectacular Indian buffet and Divya Wines offering the first wines created to be paired with Indian and Pan-Asian cuisine.
TICKETS AND PASSES
The 8th Annual Indian Film Festival Los Angeles (IFFLA) runs from April 20 – April 25 at ArcLight Hollywood located at 6360 W. Sunset Blvd, between Vine and Ivar. Tickets are on sale at www.arclightcinemas.com and at the ArcLight Hollywood Box Office. For more information, including how to purchase All-Access and Fest Passes as well as tickets to the Industry Leadership Awards and Seminars at CAA, please visit www.indianfilmfestival.org.
About IFFLA
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) is a nonprofit organization devoted to a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing films, honoring entertainment industry business executives and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora. For more information about the upcoming festival running April 20th -25th at ArcLight Hollywood, visit www.indianfilmfestival.org.
About ArcLight Cinemas
ArcLight Cinemas, represents an evolution in the movie going experience. ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood, opened in March 2002, ArcLight Sherman Oaks location, which opened in late 2007 and ArcLight Pasadena is scheduled to open Summer 2010. ArcLight offers an unprecedented combination of technology, amenities, comfort, and customer service. Facilities include the historic Cinerama Dome (at the Hollywood location) and state-of-the Art “black box” auditoriums as well as a café bar and gift shop. Tickets can be purchased online without a fee (members receive a $1 per ticket discount) and printed at home, at the theaters’ automated ticketing kiosks and lobby box office. ArcLight offers a free membership program with purchasing rewards and other members-only benefits. ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood is located at 6360 W. Sunset Boulevard, between Vine and Ivar. ArcLight Sherman Oaks is located in the Sherman Oaks Galleria at 15303 Ventura Blvd., at the corner of Sepulveda and Ventura. For more information about ArcLight visit www.arclightcinemas.com.
Grand Sponsors
Chakra Cuisine; Lufthansa German Airlines-Official Airline of IFFLA 2010; Peter Rubin & Simon, LLP; Wells Fargo Bank
Major Sponsors
Baseline; Deluxe Labs; Divya Wines; Entertainment Partners; Final Draft Inc.; Fox Entertainment Group; Globosat Entertainment Network; GMX; Gumbiner Savett, Inc; Juhu.com; Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp, LLP; NBC Universal; Nickelodeon; PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP; Reliance MediaWorks; Sony Creative Software, Inc; Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces; The Walt Disney Company; Zee Cinema
Supporters
Comcast Entertainment Group, Hyde Park Entertainment, Universal Music Group
Media Sponsors
Amoeba Music, Back Stage; DesiYou; Giant Robot; Hyphen Magazine; India Journal; India West; LA18; OC Life Magazine; Screen International; STAR USA; Variety; Yelp
