Venue: Conference Hall, 2nd Floor, Alliance Francaise de Delhi
5 April 2025
Workshop-1
5 April 2025 4:00 to 5:00PM
Indie films that matter and make money
Synopsis: This masterclass offers a comprehensive guide to independent filmmaking, from conceptualizing a compelling story to successfully marketing and distributing your film. It will cover essential aspects of low-budget filmmaking, including script development, funding strategies, casting, production techniques, and post-production workflows. Beyond filmmaking, participants will learn how to navigate the film market, pitch to distributors, secure festival screenings, and leverage digital platforms for global reach. Whether you’re a first-time filmmaker or an emerging director looking to refine your approach, this workshop equips you with practical tools to bring your vision to life and ensure it reaches the right audience.
Shadab Khan
Shadab Khan, a successful supermodel turned filmmaker, has established himself as a writer-director with films like B.A. Pass 2, Delhi 47, I Am No Queen, X or Y, and the Indo-Canadian feature Rabia and Olivia, which has won 14 international awards and is set for worldwide release. Beginning his career as an assistant editor under Sholay fame MS Shinde and later working as an assistant director, he also built an illustrious modeling career with top national and international brands. His deep understanding of human behavior inspired his storytelling, often exploring themes of misguided optimism and harsh realities. His critically acclaimed works continue to receive recognition across various platform.
Workshop-2
5 April 2024 5:00 to 6:00PM
Funding your Dream: How to Present a Winning Film Pitch
Clara Verdier
Workshop-3
5 April 2025 6:00 to 7:00PM
Why GENRE first in filmmaking
Synopsis: It is crucial to choose a genre before making a film, as it provides a foundational framework for the entire project. Defining the genre helps filmmakers identify their target audience, shape the narrative structure, and guide creative decisions throughout the production process.
Irfan Jami
An award winning independent filmmaker from India, is known for his outstanding contributions to the world of cinema. His latest narrative short film, “LEMME TELL U,” was screened at various international film festivals across the USA, UK, Australia, and Canada. With a career spanning two decades, he has showcased his multifaceted talents as a director, screenwriter, lyricist, and editor with over 200 projects to his credit spanning various genres, including TV commercials, short films, telefilms, tele-series, video spots, corporate films, documentaries, and docudramas. He has also served as a visiting director for Ramoji Group’s Eenadu TV channel, and as the head of the audio-visual divisions for both Virgo TV and Mountain River Films, based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
6 April 2025
Workshop-4
6 April 2025 4:00 to 5:00PM
Do you want to be a Star?
Synopsis: Aspiring actors often dream of fame and success, but the reality of the film industry is far more challenging than it appears. In this insightful workshop, veteran Bollywood director Surender Verma Suri shares his decades of experience, offering a candid look at the struggles, rejections, and resilience required to make it in the industry.
Participants will gain valuable tips on navigating auditions, honing their craft, and building a lasting career. More importantly, they will learn how to handle failures, deal with rejections, and develop the mental toughness needed to survive in a highly competitive and often unforgiving industry. This is an unfiltered, eye-opening session for those truly committed to their acting journey.
Surendra S. Verma
Surendra S. Verma has an extensive and illustrious career spanning over 40 years in the Indian film industry, marked by collaborations with some of Bollywood’s most renowned directors and actors. He has independently directed several advertising films for brands such as Bajaj Industries, Nalini Saree, and Adrika Tea. His regional work includes successful Marathi films like “Majhya Navryachi Bayko,” which garnered multiple awards, and “Bhavisya Chi Aisi Taisi.” “Hume Toh Loot Liya” is his latest Hindi film starring Rajpal Yadav, Manoj Joshi, Upasana Singh, and others.
He has worked as an Associate Director with the esteemed J.P. Dutta on acclaimed films such as “Umrao Jaan,” “L.O.C. Kargil,” “Refugee,” “Border,” “Kshatriya,” “Batwara,” “Yateem,” “Hathyar,” and “Ghulami.” He also collaborated as an Associate Director with N. Chandra on “Wajood” and “Shikari.” Throughout his career, he has worked with Bollywood icons including Hema Malini, Madhuri Dixit, Aishwarya Rai, Shabana Azmi, Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan, Sunil Shetty, Rani Mukherjee, Jackie Shroff, Kareena Kapoor, Dharmendra, Mithun Chakraborty, Nana Patekar, Govinda, Tabu, and many others. Known for his creativity, technical prowess, and strong public relations skills, Surendra values hard work, honesty, and the acceptance of new ideas.
Workshop-5
6 April 2025 5:00 to 6:00PM
Acting MasterClass : Unlock Your True Potential by Niharika Singh
Synopsis: Welcome to our transformative acting workshop where we delve into the essence of the craft – where acting is not merely pretending but living truthfully under imaginary circumstances. In this workshop, we go beyond the surface of acting. We believe that acting is not just about saying lines or portraying emotions; it’s about doing. It’s about living truthfully in the given circumstances, no matter how imaginary it may seem. Acting is doing and there is always more to do. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore the depths of your acting abilities and unlock your true potential.
Niharika Singh
Niharika Singh is an accomplished theater and film personality. She is visiting expert faculty for acting with the National School of Drama (NSD) and has been head of acting faculty with Barry John Acting Studio. She has acted in and mentored a number of internationally acclaimed and award-winning films. She has her own film production house and has produced and directed a number of documentary films. As a psychologist, she brings a unique and valuable perspective to the performing arts. She is the founder member of the Society for Culture & Environment which organizes The Bhopal Literature and Art Festival every year in Bhopal.