The Perennial Search for Filmmaking Talent
Debut feature filmmakers at CinéV-CHD
There is no argument of course that we need a steady inflow of new filmmaking talent in the Indian film industry. The question is how do we find them? Would a production house or a streaming platform invest in them unless they have backing that is difficult to ignore?
It is also not always the case that these are unknown filmmakers who are trying to get a foot in the door but fail to succeed. Many are highly respected film professionals with other skill sets than a director, yet the chance to direct a long format film oftentimes eludes them. There is simply too little time for every filmmaker and film executive/investor to meet and chat individually. CinéV allows you to take that time out - you get to meet a large pool of talent ready to dive into long format filmmaking, and a story at hand.
ProofPoint in CinéV-CHD
We introduced a section for filmmakers to submit short films that they wish to now make into long format films. These Proof of Concept films demonstrate their craft and the engagement of audiences in the story being told. They may or may to be perfect to the T, but any astute film producer would spot the talent and the potential of these short films as future feature films.
It opens up for investor-producers the opportunity to not only invest in the making of the long format film but invest in the talent as well.
PoC curations under ProofPoint
Here is the selection of curations under ProofPoint, done by Leena Khobragade, former Director of Film Bazaar, India and an old hand at identifying new talent -
Details of these films and their makers can be seen here.
Please join us at CinéV-CHD, March 20-23, 2025 in Hyatt Centric, Chandigarh to meet these filmmakers and watch their shorts.
Registrations are open at cinev.in.
ABOUT LEENA KHOBRAGADE
Former Director of Film Bazaar South Asia's largest Film Market, Leena has over a decade of experience in the business of envisioning and organizing Film Markets and Film Festival and was instrumental in creating groundbreaking initiatives. She worked with one of the prestigious institutes of India National Film Development Corporation Ltd, (NFDC), Govt. of India Undertaking for 28 years (1996-2024) and is one of the founding members of NFDC Film Bazaar, when it was set up in 2007. She organised film festivals for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB), Swachha Bharat Short Film Festival and Department of Social Justice and Empowerment for the differently-abled. Additionally, she headed the Screenwriters Lab at NFDC, where she played a pivotal role in developing projects like The Lunchbox, Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Titli, Paltadacho Munis, Bombay Rose, and Arms of a Man, among others.
Throughout her 28-year career, she has been involved in everything from script development and mentoring first-time filmmakers to assembling the essential elements of a film market. During her tenure as the Director she initiated the first collaboration of Film Bazaar with Marché du Film Cannes and participated in Co-Production Days (2020-2022) and Film Bazaar Goes to Cannes (2020-2022).
After moving on from NFDC, she co-produced Saba, which had its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2024. She also served as a jury member for the Adelaide Film Festival in 2024. Leena is currently also Executive Director, CineV-CHD.