INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF LOS ANGELES (IFFLA) FINALIZES SEMINAR DAY CROWD FAVORITE RHYTHM VILLAGE RETURNS
INDIAN FILM FESTIVAL OF LOS ANGELES (IFFLA) FINALIZES SEMINAR DAY
CROWD FAVORITE RHYTHM VILLAGE RETURNS
LOS ANGELES, CA (April 6, 2011) - The 9th Annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) announced the final list of seminars and panelists taking part in IFFLA'S Seminar Day. In addition, the crowd-pleasing Rhythm Village presented by Rukus Avenue returns for its fourth straight year with acclaimed Indian dancers and musicians adding a touch of Bollywood flair to the festivities. The fest runs April 12-17 at ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles, California.
IFFLA Chair of Board of Board of Directors Arnold Peter stated, "IFFLA is predicated on creating a well rounded experience for our audience and our filmmakers. It is important to address current issues that arise out of the growth of the Indian film industry not only as a major content provider, but also as a future trend-setter. This year's Seminar Day addresses those factors and we are fortunate to have some of the Industry's key experts to foster the discussions.”
“We are also excited to welcome back Rhythm Village and Rukus Avenue within the context of the festival. It adds to our colorful and vibrant atmosphere allowing our audiences a taste of the culture's spontaneity and musicality that is often infused in Indian storytelling," added Christina Marouda, the fest's Executive Director.
SEMINAR DAY sponsored by NBC Universal Diversity, Nickelodeon, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Diversity, Screen International, and Writers Guild of America, will include three in-depth panel discussions pertaining to the trends in the Indian entertainment industry. The public is invited to attend the seminars and ticket information can be obtained by visiting http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/165071.
Panel Topics Include:
PANEL #1: "Hollywood's Evolving Relationship with India"
In this panel, leading experts will discuss the growing partnerships between Hollywood and the Indian entertainment industry, analyzing how these avenues converge in terms of the world's two largest media content providers, touching on the current state of opportunities and projected future investments.
Moderator: Christina Marouda, Executive Director, IFFLA
Uday Kumar, Business Head - North America, Reliance MediaWorks
Alesia Weston, Associate Director, Feature Film Program, Sundance Institute
Panel #2: "Meet the Filmmakers Behind the New Wave of Indian Cinema"
A Q&A with some of IFFLA's invited filmmakers as they discuss the recent and future trends in Indian cinema.
Moderator: Jeremy Kay, Editor, Screen International
Vikramaditya Motwane, Writer/Director, UDAAN
Murali Nair, Writer/Director, VIRGIN GOAT (LAADLI LAILA)
Abhay Kumar, Director, JUST THAT SORT OF DAY...
Panel #3: "Breaking Into the Industry: Opportunities and Challenges for South Asian American Filmmakers and Talent"
Over the past decade there has been a steady increase in the number of films and television shows that feature South Asian talent both in front of and behind the camera. Shows like "Glee," "The Good Wife," "Outsourced," "The Office," "Royal Pains," and films like SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, SPIDERMAN, and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE are proof that a new era of diversity in story-telling is upon us. As South Asians join the media fray in stories that go beyond ethnicity and touch on issues of modern American life, the sphere of opportunities in Hollywood is making a gradual shift. Join the discussion with our panel of professionals from different entertainment organizations that provide resources for artists to continue this trend.
Moderator: Reena Singh, Vice President, Development and Current Programming, Universal Cable Productions
Rupak Ginn, Actor ("Royal Pains," "Private Practice," JUST WRIGHT, THE NAMESAKE, CHEETAH GIRLS: ONE WORLD)
Karen Kirkland, Executive Director, Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship Program
Luvh Rakhe (WGAW), Writer ("Outsourced", "It's always Sunny in Philadelphia")
Rebecca Yee, National Director/Sr. Equal Opportunities Counsel, Screen Actors Guild Diversity
Seminar Day Reception to follow in the STAR Lounge
IFFLA PANELISTS
PANEL #1: "Hollywood's Evolving Relationship with India"
Uday Kumar is in charge of the US operations of Reliance Media works as Business Head - North America. His experience includes senior management roles in all segments of the media and entertainment business. He has been responsible for establishing the Big Cinemas theatre chain in the United States and the film distribution business to service the demand for South Asian movies in North America. Currently his focus is to expand Reliance Mediaworks' service offerings in image processing globally and to establish a VFX and Media Services business built upon the collaboration between India and US based operations.
Alesia Weston oversees the international part of Sundance Institute's year-round Feature Film Program for the Screenwriters and Directors labs. She is part of the core team working on a new program at Sundance called Film Forward: Advancing Cultural Dialogue, in partnership with the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Most recently, she initiated and developed a multi-faceted collaboration with Mahindra, which includes the Global Filmmaking Award and a Screenwriting lab in India to be launched in 2012.
Panel #2: "Meet the Filmmakers Behind the New Wave of Indian Cinema"
Jeremy Kay is the US editor of the film trade publication Screen International. The London-born journalist covers many aspects of the business with particular emphasis on the independent sector, including financing, production and distribution. Jeremy is a familiar face on the festival circuit and travels each year to Sundance, Berlin, Cannes and Toronto, among others.
Vikramaditya Motwane started his film career assisting his producer-mother on her television talk show "Teen Talk." Eventually, he made the big leap to feature films by assisting Sanjay Leela Bhansali on HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM. Further stints assisting Deepa Mehta on the ill-fated first venture of WATER and directing songs for Anurag Kashyap's PAANCH followed. He then acted as Associate Director and Sound Designer on Bhansali's DEVDAS. Since then, Virkam has directed songs in the now-completed WATER and has written the screenplays for GOAL and DEV D. UDAAN is his debut feature film.
Kerala born Murali Nair has worked extensively in Bollywood as an assistant director. In 1993 he received a National Award in India for his first short film, TRAGEDY OF AN INDIAN FARMER. A LONG JOURNEY, his third short film became the first Indian short film to be screened in the Competition section in Cannes. His first feature film, THRONE OF DEATH (1999) won the prestigious Camera D' Or at Cannes. Murali has served as a jury member in many festivals, including the Camera D' Or section at Cannes, Amnesty International Jury for IFFR, and Kerala State Film Awards. His latest feature film, VIRGIN GOAT, is a co-production with France and in competition at IFFLA 2011.
Abhay Kumar graduated in Mass Communication from Delhi and received his post graduation diploma in filmmaking from Xaviers Institute of Communications, Mumbai. He is a two-time winner at MAMI in the short film category with a Jury Special Mention in 2009 for UDAAN, and 2nd Prize in 2010 for MERA GHAR. His first short film submission to a film festival …JUST THAT SORT OF DAY had its world premiere at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam 2011 and is now competing at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival.
Panel #3: "Breaking Into the Industry: Opportunities and Challenges for South Asian American Filmmakers and Talent"
Reena Singh is Vice President of Development and Current Programming at Universal Cable Productions (UCP). Prior to UCP, she was at Disney Channel in the role of Director of Development, Original Movies. Reena spent a year at ABC network as an Entertainment Associate and at ABC Network News where she was a producer who covered international and domestic events. Reena began her media career at Conde Nast's Bon Appetit magazine before attending the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Rupak Ginn's love for acting started at a young age and followed him to college at Harvard University where, during his senior year, director Mira Nair offered him a supporting role in THE NAMESAKE. His film work includes supporting roles in FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS starring Justin Timberlake and JUST WRIGHT starring Queen Latifah as well as a romantic lead role in Disney Channel's THE CHEETAH GIRLS: ONE WORLD. On television, he currently plays the role of Raj on the USA Network hit series "Royal Pains" and has guest starred this season on ABC's "Private Practice".
Karen Kirkland currently serves as Executive Director of Nickelodeon's Writing and Artist Fellowships. The Nick Writing and Artist Fellowships are designed to attract, develop, and staff diverse writing and artistic talent on Nickelodeon Network productions. Under Karen's leadership, the Writing Fellowship has become one of the most competitive and well-respected vehicles for emerging television writing talent. For the last 20 years, Karen has been involved in various areas of the film and television industry and has been a judge for numerous competitions including the BANFF World Media Festival and the UCLA Screenwriter's Showcase.
Luvh Rakhe has been writing for television since 2004 and has written for some shows that have been loved but mostly shows that have been hated. He currently writes for "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia".
Rebecca Yee is the National Director/Senior Equal Employment Opportunities Counsel of Screen Actors Guild Affirmative Action & Diversity. Rebecca advances SAG's policy and advocacy of diversity and equal employment in the entertainment industry. She leads a team of professionals who provide strategy, support, advice and counsel, technical, and administrative assistance to six member-led national committees in developing and implementing programs and initiatives designed to increase employment opportunities for underrepresented and underemployed actors.
IFFLA 2011 Rhythm Village Presented by Rukus Avenue
IFFLA Rhythm Village celebrates the intimate relationship between music and cinema. Held annually since 2008 in the ArcLight Hollywood Courtyard, it is a colorful, vibrant display of music and dance, designed to enhance the film-going experience. Curated and presented by Rukus Avenue, the 2011 program will entertain with Bollywood singers, eclectic fusion bands, groovy DJ sets from Amoeba Music, a capella singers, Dhol Nation’s Malinder and International Dhol Champion Pree Mayall, intellectual hip-hop from Hoodini and King, and a variety of traditional and non-traditional Indian dance forms, including a demonstration and performance from renowned Bollywood choreographer Yogen Bhagat of Bollywood Step.
TICKETS AND PASSES - New Procedures this year:
Tickets can now be purchased online at http://indianfilmfestival.org.
On-site Box Office opens April 8th and tickets can be purchased at
The Cinerama Dome, 6360 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
For more information on box office and the film schedule please visit www.indianfilmfestival.org.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARDS TICKETS
The 9th Annual Indian Film Festival Los Angeles (IFFLA) runs from April 12-17 at ArcLight Hollywood located at 6360 W. Sunset Blvd between Vine and Ivar. Tickets for the Industry Leadership Awards are on sale now. For more information, please visit http://industryleadershipawards.eventbrite.com
ABOUT IFFLA
Now in its 9th year 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. This year the festival’s cinema lounge is branded as the “STAR Lounge”, exclusively sponsored by STAR, a Major Sponsor of IFFLA 2011. Tickets are now on sale. For more information about the upcoming festival, please 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.
CROWD FAVORITE RHYTHM VILLAGE RETURNS
LOS ANGELES, CA (April 6, 2011) - The 9th Annual Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) announced the final list of seminars and panelists taking part in IFFLA'S Seminar Day. In addition, the crowd-pleasing Rhythm Village presented by Rukus Avenue returns for its fourth straight year with acclaimed Indian dancers and musicians adding a touch of Bollywood flair to the festivities. The fest runs April 12-17 at ArcLight Hollywood in Los Angeles, California.
IFFLA Chair of Board of Board of Directors Arnold Peter stated, "IFFLA is predicated on creating a well rounded experience for our audience and our filmmakers. It is important to address current issues that arise out of the growth of the Indian film industry not only as a major content provider, but also as a future trend-setter. This year's Seminar Day addresses those factors and we are fortunate to have some of the Industry's key experts to foster the discussions.”
“We are also excited to welcome back Rhythm Village and Rukus Avenue within the context of the festival. It adds to our colorful and vibrant atmosphere allowing our audiences a taste of the culture's spontaneity and musicality that is often infused in Indian storytelling," added Christina Marouda, the fest's Executive Director.
SEMINAR DAY sponsored by NBC Universal Diversity, Nickelodeon, Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Diversity, Screen International, and Writers Guild of America, will include three in-depth panel discussions pertaining to the trends in the Indian entertainment industry. The public is invited to attend the seminars and ticket information can be obtained by visiting http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/165071.
Panel Topics Include:
PANEL #1: "Hollywood's Evolving Relationship with India"
In this panel, leading experts will discuss the growing partnerships between Hollywood and the Indian entertainment industry, analyzing how these avenues converge in terms of the world's two largest media content providers, touching on the current state of opportunities and projected future investments.
Moderator: Christina Marouda, Executive Director, IFFLA
Uday Kumar, Business Head - North America, Reliance MediaWorks
Alesia Weston, Associate Director, Feature Film Program, Sundance Institute
Panel #2: "Meet the Filmmakers Behind the New Wave of Indian Cinema"
A Q&A with some of IFFLA's invited filmmakers as they discuss the recent and future trends in Indian cinema.
Moderator: Jeremy Kay, Editor, Screen International
Vikramaditya Motwane, Writer/Director, UDAAN
Murali Nair, Writer/Director, VIRGIN GOAT (LAADLI LAILA)
Abhay Kumar, Director, JUST THAT SORT OF DAY...
Panel #3: "Breaking Into the Industry: Opportunities and Challenges for South Asian American Filmmakers and Talent"
Over the past decade there has been a steady increase in the number of films and television shows that feature South Asian talent both in front of and behind the camera. Shows like "Glee," "The Good Wife," "Outsourced," "The Office," "Royal Pains," and films like SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, SPIDERMAN, and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE are proof that a new era of diversity in story-telling is upon us. As South Asians join the media fray in stories that go beyond ethnicity and touch on issues of modern American life, the sphere of opportunities in Hollywood is making a gradual shift. Join the discussion with our panel of professionals from different entertainment organizations that provide resources for artists to continue this trend.
Moderator: Reena Singh, Vice President, Development and Current Programming, Universal Cable Productions
Rupak Ginn, Actor ("Royal Pains," "Private Practice," JUST WRIGHT, THE NAMESAKE, CHEETAH GIRLS: ONE WORLD)
Karen Kirkland, Executive Director, Nickelodeon Writing Fellowship Program
Luvh Rakhe (WGAW), Writer ("Outsourced", "It's always Sunny in Philadelphia")
Rebecca Yee, National Director/Sr. Equal Opportunities Counsel, Screen Actors Guild Diversity
Seminar Day Reception to follow in the STAR Lounge
IFFLA PANELISTS
PANEL #1: "Hollywood's Evolving Relationship with India"
Uday Kumar is in charge of the US operations of Reliance Media works as Business Head - North America. His experience includes senior management roles in all segments of the media and entertainment business. He has been responsible for establishing the Big Cinemas theatre chain in the United States and the film distribution business to service the demand for South Asian movies in North America. Currently his focus is to expand Reliance Mediaworks' service offerings in image processing globally and to establish a VFX and Media Services business built upon the collaboration between India and US based operations.
Alesia Weston oversees the international part of Sundance Institute's year-round Feature Film Program for the Screenwriters and Directors labs. She is part of the core team working on a new program at Sundance called Film Forward: Advancing Cultural Dialogue, in partnership with the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities. Most recently, she initiated and developed a multi-faceted collaboration with Mahindra, which includes the Global Filmmaking Award and a Screenwriting lab in India to be launched in 2012.
Panel #2: "Meet the Filmmakers Behind the New Wave of Indian Cinema"
Jeremy Kay is the US editor of the film trade publication Screen International. The London-born journalist covers many aspects of the business with particular emphasis on the independent sector, including financing, production and distribution. Jeremy is a familiar face on the festival circuit and travels each year to Sundance, Berlin, Cannes and Toronto, among others.
Vikramaditya Motwane started his film career assisting his producer-mother on her television talk show "Teen Talk." Eventually, he made the big leap to feature films by assisting Sanjay Leela Bhansali on HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM. Further stints assisting Deepa Mehta on the ill-fated first venture of WATER and directing songs for Anurag Kashyap's PAANCH followed. He then acted as Associate Director and Sound Designer on Bhansali's DEVDAS. Since then, Virkam has directed songs in the now-completed WATER and has written the screenplays for GOAL and DEV D. UDAAN is his debut feature film.
Kerala born Murali Nair has worked extensively in Bollywood as an assistant director. In 1993 he received a National Award in India for his first short film, TRAGEDY OF AN INDIAN FARMER. A LONG JOURNEY, his third short film became the first Indian short film to be screened in the Competition section in Cannes. His first feature film, THRONE OF DEATH (1999) won the prestigious Camera D' Or at Cannes. Murali has served as a jury member in many festivals, including the Camera D' Or section at Cannes, Amnesty International Jury for IFFR, and Kerala State Film Awards. His latest feature film, VIRGIN GOAT, is a co-production with France and in competition at IFFLA 2011.
Abhay Kumar graduated in Mass Communication from Delhi and received his post graduation diploma in filmmaking from Xaviers Institute of Communications, Mumbai. He is a two-time winner at MAMI in the short film category with a Jury Special Mention in 2009 for UDAAN, and 2nd Prize in 2010 for MERA GHAR. His first short film submission to a film festival …JUST THAT SORT OF DAY had its world premiere at the International Film Festival of Rotterdam 2011 and is now competing at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival.
Panel #3: "Breaking Into the Industry: Opportunities and Challenges for South Asian American Filmmakers and Talent"
Reena Singh is Vice President of Development and Current Programming at Universal Cable Productions (UCP). Prior to UCP, she was at Disney Channel in the role of Director of Development, Original Movies. Reena spent a year at ABC network as an Entertainment Associate and at ABC Network News where she was a producer who covered international and domestic events. Reena began her media career at Conde Nast's Bon Appetit magazine before attending the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.
Rupak Ginn's love for acting started at a young age and followed him to college at Harvard University where, during his senior year, director Mira Nair offered him a supporting role in THE NAMESAKE. His film work includes supporting roles in FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS starring Justin Timberlake and JUST WRIGHT starring Queen Latifah as well as a romantic lead role in Disney Channel's THE CHEETAH GIRLS: ONE WORLD. On television, he currently plays the role of Raj on the USA Network hit series "Royal Pains" and has guest starred this season on ABC's "Private Practice".
Karen Kirkland currently serves as Executive Director of Nickelodeon's Writing and Artist Fellowships. The Nick Writing and Artist Fellowships are designed to attract, develop, and staff diverse writing and artistic talent on Nickelodeon Network productions. Under Karen's leadership, the Writing Fellowship has become one of the most competitive and well-respected vehicles for emerging television writing talent. For the last 20 years, Karen has been involved in various areas of the film and television industry and has been a judge for numerous competitions including the BANFF World Media Festival and the UCLA Screenwriter's Showcase.
Luvh Rakhe has been writing for television since 2004 and has written for some shows that have been loved but mostly shows that have been hated. He currently writes for "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia".
Rebecca Yee is the National Director/Senior Equal Employment Opportunities Counsel of Screen Actors Guild Affirmative Action & Diversity. Rebecca advances SAG's policy and advocacy of diversity and equal employment in the entertainment industry. She leads a team of professionals who provide strategy, support, advice and counsel, technical, and administrative assistance to six member-led national committees in developing and implementing programs and initiatives designed to increase employment opportunities for underrepresented and underemployed actors.
IFFLA 2011 Rhythm Village Presented by Rukus Avenue
IFFLA Rhythm Village celebrates the intimate relationship between music and cinema. Held annually since 2008 in the ArcLight Hollywood Courtyard, it is a colorful, vibrant display of music and dance, designed to enhance the film-going experience. Curated and presented by Rukus Avenue, the 2011 program will entertain with Bollywood singers, eclectic fusion bands, groovy DJ sets from Amoeba Music, a capella singers, Dhol Nation’s Malinder and International Dhol Champion Pree Mayall, intellectual hip-hop from Hoodini and King, and a variety of traditional and non-traditional Indian dance forms, including a demonstration and performance from renowned Bollywood choreographer Yogen Bhagat of Bollywood Step.
TICKETS AND PASSES - New Procedures this year:
Tickets can now be purchased online at http://indianfilmfestival.org.
On-site Box Office opens April 8th and tickets can be purchased at
The Cinerama Dome, 6360 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
For more information on box office and the film schedule please visit www.indianfilmfestival.org.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARDS TICKETS
The 9th Annual Indian Film Festival Los Angeles (IFFLA) runs from April 12-17 at ArcLight Hollywood located at 6360 W. Sunset Blvd between Vine and Ivar. Tickets for the Industry Leadership Awards are on sale now. For more information, please visit http://industryleadershipawards.eventbrite.com
ABOUT IFFLA
Now in its 9th year 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. This year the festival’s cinema lounge is branded as the “STAR Lounge”, exclusively sponsored by STAR, a Major Sponsor of IFFLA 2011. Tickets are now on sale. For more information about the upcoming festival, please 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.
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