Atlanta Indian Film Festival Showcases Diverse Voices in Indian Cinema
The 7th Annual Atlanta Indian Film Festival opened vibrantly at the Twelve Midtown Autograph Collection Hotel in Atlantic Station on the evening of September 26. At the press meet, organizers Anita Ninan and Dr. Pamila Dembla introduced distinguished guests, including renowned actors Shishir Sharma and Rizwan Manji, emerging filmmaker Akshay Shirke from Nova Scotia, Canada, and indie film talents Bharat Tejasvi and Prerna Chauhan.
Sharma spoke passionately about his film Rasa, a culinary drama written, directed, and produced by brothers Angith and Preetish Jayaraj, along with Rutuja Patil. “I play a chef who wants to impart all nine rasas (emotions) to his guests through food,” he shared.
Prerna Chauhan recounted how she approached Sharma for her film BiTheWay. “He liked the story, and we shot the film in just one day,” she said. The film has since garnered recognition at various festivals. Akshay Shirke discussed his short film Louis, which explores bereavement through the lens of a child mourning his pet hamster.
[Left] Group Photo Sitting to Right: Bharat Tejasvi, Jury Member; Rizwan Manji, Canadian Indian Actor and special guest; Prerna Chauhan, Jury Member, Shishir Sharma, Indian Actor and TV Personality, whose newly released Independent Film Rasa, was screened on closing night; Anita Ninan, GIACC Board Member, Dr. Pamila Dembla, Content Director, Akshay Shirke, Canadian Indian Movie Director of short film, Louis.
Standing: Few members of the Press, AIFF attendees and GIACC
Board Members.
The panel addressed challenges faced by independent short filmmakers—production costs, submission fees, travel expenses, and limited visibility without formal releases. “Funding is essential not only for making the film but also for marketing it,” said Manji.
Dr. Dembla added, “AIFF provides fee waivers to those in need and helps fund filmmakers’ travel through sponsor grants.” Sharma noted the shifting landscape: “Theaters are closing because OTT has come. People don’t go to the theater anymore.”
Tejasvi observed a marked improvement in submissions: “There’s been a significant jump in storytelling and cinematography quality over the past year.”
All agreed: short films are driven by passion, not profit. The group discussed AI’s growing role in film production. While AI aids editing and effects, it cannot replace the creative collaboration among producers, directors, actors, and editors. “AI is a tool. We shouldn’t resist it, but learn how to use it effectively,” said Manji. Akshay added, “Human creative expression should remain separate. When you consume something made by a human versus AI, it hits you differently. It feels more authentic.”
The festival was officially opened by Indian Consul General Ramesh Babu Lakshmanan and his wife, Renuga Devi, at a gala event in the hotel ballroom.
Highlights from Day 1
The shorts selection showcased stories from diverse Indian languages and regions:
- The Great Giant Wheel of Life by Muhammad Ali Rukadikar
- Mera School by Ganesh Chougle (Hindi): A boy from a poor rural family dreams beyond hardship.
- Ru Ba Ru by Kapil Tanvar and Anvita Gupta (Rajasthani): Two sisters—a mourner and a folk dancer—navigate survival and dignity.
- TT by Charles Leo Pandan: A man with memory loss meets a mysterious stranger on a cliff.
- Ek Wajah by Sushank Verma: Love and societal barriers clash amid communal riots.
- Badlav Republic by Manohar Kumar: Women leaders promote growth in rural communities.
- To Khet by Jagat Joon: A brother faces upheaval when pressured to sell family land.
- The Daily Bread by Anil Kumar Anand (Kashmiri): A couple runs a bakery in a conflict zone.
- Omlo by Sonu Randeep Choudhary (Rajasthani): Domestic violence and family dynamics through a child and a camel.
Highlights from Day 2
Themes of identity, struggle, and coexistence emerged:
- Louis by Akshay Shirke (English): Grief in Indian immigrant families.
- Vyarth by Pankaj Dayani (Hindi): An actress battles typecasting and self-worth.
- The Cycle by Mukherjee (Hindi): A daughter-in law balances health and expectations.
- The Last Riot by Darshan Dave (Hindi): Satirical take on community coexistence.
- Silence Cycle by Mahi Anand (Hindi): Menstruation stigma during Navratri Puja.
- Fragments of Life by Sushant NallaReddy (Telugu): A South Asian couple navigates love and growth in Texas.
- Analog by Sanjeev Kumar (English): An immigrant struggles with ambition and family ties.
- Jahaan by Rahul Dayanand Shetty (Hindi): A dystopian future ravaged by pollution.
- Rasa by Angith and Preetish Jayaraj (Hindi): A chef’s dishes evoke distinct emotions.
Dr. Dembla shared that out of 86 submissions via FilmFreeway, a jury selected 18 short films, one feature, and the culinary drama, Rasa, using a rubric with 25 criteria.
-Monita Soni
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