Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
And to become the one and only OSCAR qualifying film
festival as a South Asian film festival. I think they
have never done that before. It was unprecedented for them too.
They have given to big international film festivals or Asian
film festival I think one Asian film festival, but to
(00:26):
also narrow down to give it to a South Asian
festival hasn't been given before this accreditation.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
You're listening to Rockets Avenue Radio, available now on the
free iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
So hello everyone, and welcome to Ruckus Avenue Radio, part
of iHeartRadio, and I'm your host, Kamal Khan and for
my show Bollywood to Hollywood, where I have guests coming
in to talk about very innovative things, especially talking about
the current market in South Asian and in general. And
I'm pretty excited because I have a executive producer and
(01:24):
also sorry, executive director of thesphere dot org and she's
with us here today, Rita Meyer.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Yes, thank you so much, Comal to have me on
your show. I'm excited.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Yeah, I know, I'm happy to have you on the
show as well. By the way, and you're also co
founder for the Sphere, so I know for a fact
that obviously it's the only South Asian film festival out
there that is OSCAR qualifying globally. But there's a lot
more to the sphere and how you've been part of
it so many years, and how you've contributed to South
(01:58):
Asians who are out there, who are filmmakers and so forth.
So what I'd love to know is kind of like
you know, it's developed since that time, and I think
that's still accurate what I'm talking about this sphere. First
of all, some people don't even know what the sphere
necessarily means in Hindi or do so can you tell
them what that means? Where the name came from?
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yes, this we means picture in Hindi, we do so,
I mean we is the Hindi or the or the
word for picture. And in South Asia when we want
to go to CEO film, we said cello picture, deno picture.
We refer film as picture. So we thought it would
(02:40):
be a fun translation here for UH to run a
film organization to call it the sphere.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
That's awesome. So yeah, you're trying to take that name
and it's really that exact translation picture, right, Yes, So
tell me, like if you can go back for a bit, right,
you know, obviously you're a co founder for the Sphere
of Film Festival. What sort of you know it made
you think about setting up a film festival in the
(03:13):
first place.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Yes, thank you for that question, and I don't want
to take the full credit to it. I have to
talk a little bit about my co founder, my best
friend father Nochine. So right after nine to eleven, when
we saw there was a lot of hate incidents and
(03:37):
so much misinformation and phobia, Islamophobia, xenophobia and homophobia that
existed and it kind of activated after nine to eleven attacks,
we felt we needed to create this space where we
can all meet and curate a dialogue around these topics
(04:01):
and alleviate all kind of ignorance that existed. We wanted
to tell our own stories rather than being told by
others or for medias to form information on us. So
Fara and I thought the best way to do this
to use film as a tool to alleviate ignorance. So
(04:22):
we started showing one film at a time, bringing films
on Muslim to perspective and LGBTQI films or Hindi Muslim
films that showed our love and friendship India between India
Pakistan or Hindi Muslim. So we started showing one film
(04:44):
at a time and our mission is to inspire social
change through film, arts and storytelling. And that process grew
into a film festival. We founded three in two thousand
and two, and two years later we said why don't
Seeing the response such a good response, we thought, why
(05:05):
not start a film festival, a Southeasian Film Festival.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
That's awesome now, I mean, obviously there was a lot
of change in nine to eleven, and I think it's
great that you have that opportunity for people. There was
a lot of confusion about people in general. I mean
I think there was I remember that sort of time.
I was in London personally at that time, but there
was a sosmophobia. You had people like Seeks being attacked
and other and it was just unprecedented. So I think
(05:31):
that negative sentiment was really awful for people. So I
think that in media is a great way and at
all to notr really bring people together, but also then
to tell your stories. So no, thank you for doing that.
I mean, I think it's a it's a great achievement,
but also a consistency now, how many years has it been.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
It's twenty three plus years.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
Yeah, wow, time flies and you've still you're still at it?
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Okay, how would sorry one story at a time?
Speaker 3 (06:00):
When film one story at a time? Yeah, what I'd
love to hear about. And a lot of people don't
know this that. It's also like we talked about earlier,
it's OSCO qualifying. What did it take to become Moscow qualifying?
Speaker 1 (06:15):
So the process is very rigorous. We applied actually in
the middle of the COVID. Before that, we were thinking
about it for pretty much three years and trying to
find a contact. It's not easy. All the information is
not readily available on the website. We applied. There's an
(06:38):
application process and it took about two years to get qualified.
They have an internal committee where they do their due diligence.
They see what kind of films we have shown, where
we have shown, what is our mission vision and the
(06:58):
continuity and excuse me, they see everything, They take everything
into consideration and then they make their decision. And to
become the one and only OSCAR qualifying film festival as
a South Asian film festival, I think they have never
(07:19):
done that before. It was unprecedented for them too. They
have given to big international film festivals or Asian film
festival I think one Asian Film festival, but to also
narrow down to give it to a South Asian festival
hasn't been given before this accreditation. It's yeah, it's they
(07:44):
took everything into consideration, our reputation, our work, our twenty
three years of work.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Yeah yeah, and how long has it been at Oscar
Qualifying Film Festival.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Then the news came in twenty twenty three that we
are qualified.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Congratulations. I mean, that's amazing. So this will be kind
of what the third year. Yeah, that's the case.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Can I add a little bit what it means to
be It's not just for the namesake, like oh wow,
it's we are an OSCAR qualifying By becoming an OSCAR
qualifying South Asian Film Festival, what we have done for
South Asian filmmakers that we have guaranteed a South Asian
(08:32):
film to be put in front of the OSCAR committee
to be qualified for OSCAR nomination. And the first year
when we did that in twenty twenty three, in his
debut year itself, we pushed we put Afghani film Yellow
Afghani British film that got shortlisted for Oscars. And so
(08:57):
now the South Asian films or filmmakers don't have to
chase like big film festivals like can or Trybecca and
all that, where the number is huge and then to
get shortlisted to a South Asian film is almost one
among hundreds of films. But here now it's guaranteed, right, and.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
It provides an opportunity for them to be able to
do that versus like you know, just in a big
vast ocean of just Asian in general, et cetera. Right,
So you're enhancing opportunities for people. But in terms of
so if they get accepted into an OSCAR qualifying film festival,
for those who don't know in the audience, what would
that mean If they get accepted, does that mean that
(09:38):
they can be in OSCAR nominee or do they How
do they have to win the festival? What's their process?
Speaker 1 (09:45):
They do have to win an award in our festival too,
and it's only for short films. The future films don't
go through film festivals. They have a different process. So
this nomination is on for shortlisting only for short films
and they do have to win a Jury Award in
our film festival, right.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
And so it's I'm curious for people listening and like, Okay,
this is You've done so many years, You've obviously you know,
given so many opportunities to South Asian. There's many South
Asian film festivals that are out there, of course, which
is fantastic, but having to go to the sphere and say,
for example, they are looking to bring their film to
(10:29):
where have you had any success stories that you can
speak to for example that maybe you know, hey, you're
really proud of this and you managed to take that
short film but it got us no nominated or whatnot.
Is there any any that that you want to highlight?
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Yes, But just like I mentioned Yellow, it was shown
in our film festival, it got in Judy Award, and
now LMSs can say in his portfolio his film got
a shortlist in Oscars and it was also shown at
(11:04):
our festival. It opens doors for the filmmaker and the
film in a lot of ways. It becomes like a
domino effect and it can get accepted to many other
film festivals. There's more eyes on it. The measuring and
impact is difficult for small nonprofits like ours, but since
(11:30):
it just happened. That's one example for Yellow And this
year we showed Anuja. Though Anuja didn't get an award
in our festival, we can't take credit for that. It
was nominated for Oscars. So I think it's coming more
and more. Impact will just grow from here. It's just
(11:51):
the beginning. And yeah, what we have seen in the
past many filmmakers who say Charmino Wade who used to
send VHS tapes to us, Can we say, oh, she
became big because of us. No, we can't say that,
but we play a part in their journey of a
(12:12):
filmmaker and their films. So yeah, we know Charmina Wad
for a long time. And Sean Exen whose film All
That Breeds that got nominated in Oscars in twenty twenty three.
I believe he's also our alumni his first film and
(12:34):
got award in our festival. So we would like to
say that we are supportive and want to really uplift
our filmmakers and their films. But it's never like one
thing we did this for you, that's why you became
so big. So we want to play we want to
uplift them and play part in their journey and becoming successful, and.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
That's amazing, that's fantastic. Look, I mean providing a platform
for them to be able to be available whether they
win or not. It's it's it's not necessarily as important.
But like you said back in the day, you're getting
VHS tapes and so became successful from you know it,
But there are others. Right, it's a journey, and we
all know it's a journey. As a filmmaker myself, we
know it's a journey, and it's a process and you
(13:20):
you continue, but you get a platform. You get to
be able to network, you get to meet people who
you can learn from. And also, as we know, even
when you're you know, when you see somebody on screen
who is brown, who's South Asian, and you can feel
that you represented, that's so important. And then you get
recognized on top of that, it's an amazing feeling. And
you're providing that platform at the sphere for those people
(13:43):
and pretty much that like that makes a huge difference
to people's lives effectively, right, their stories maybe there that
are very close to their heart or whatever journey they're on,
you know, maybe it helps them to get into other
make more films or other festivals. Sure, So I'm curious
because it's been a while since you first started. It's
(14:04):
your vision from the code with your co founder, for
where do you think it is now? Obviously we know
about the Oscar qualifying piece of it, right, but in
terms of the films you're seeing as well, I mean,
are you seeing any difference from when you first got
those submissions? I am surely had many, and I'm curious
now how that's changed given the environment of nine to
(14:26):
eleven back then to what we're seeing now today.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Yeah, I want to answer that question in two parts.
So where are we right now from where we started?
And the second part whould be working the difference in
films that we used to get submitted back then and now.
So when we started, our whole mission was curate a
(14:56):
dialogue around these topics and inspired social change and just
showcasing films was our goal. And there wasn't that much
effort or resources because also we didn't have those to
put behind a filmmaker. Filmmakers were summita film and we
(15:16):
would showcase it. And so now where we are is
we are have more capacity. We have we are a
full full time run a nonprofit film organization. We have staff,
so we have created more initiatives. We are putting resources
(15:38):
behind filmmakers also so that stories are being told and
come to fruition. If you have an idea, it can
come to a fruition. And we have initiatives like the
three Film Fund where we put give money three grants
that we give every year twenty five thousand dollars each
for short films. And we also have an effort to
(16:02):
put the films on Alaska airlines. As a distribution platform,
we have our own distribution platform, thus ree TV. We
are kicking off slowly. This year we started the market
which we can talk more in a little bit. But
we're putting more tools and resources behind filmmakers so they
(16:24):
are supported and they can go into make their film.
And your second question was what kind of changes we
have seen from the first time when they were making
and now so as I said, yeah, those used to
come on VHS, tape our better bet or something very
(16:49):
big cassettes or thirty five millimeter reels. So and those
were very monola like we have to call filmmakers and
contact them and mostly they were coming from South Asia
and people in North America. This side our South Asian
(17:13):
creative team had not grown that much because one there's
a culture behind when our parents came, not mine, but
when we came, we all worked harder and we wanted
to go into it or medical and all that. So
this South Asian daspera of filmmaking wasn't that big or
(17:37):
growing and it was very limited, very few diaspora films
back then. So more films from South Asia, South Asia,
and now we have seen a huge explosion in those films.
Filmmaker based out of North America or outside South Asia
making more and more films than the has gone up.
(18:01):
And so we are really enjoying and seeing those stories
are being told and showing those stories. Yeah, that's thee
that's a big difference.
Speaker 3 (18:13):
That's awesome and I think that's it's great to know
the journey that's taken place over this period of time.
So we're gonna go on a quick break to just
for and we'll come back to talk a little bit
more about the film festival.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
Can we World got from the same stone? I very
swindows look.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
To the stuff you're listening to Ruckus Avenue Radio, lift.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
The honest Aleginy. So welcome back everyone and I have
the pleasure of talking with the executive director for the
Sphere Film Festival, Rita Mayher, and she's also the co founder.
So when we're talking a little bit about the journey
(19:07):
and how the film festival started, how things have evolved
since then, and she's sharing with us the fact that
we have basically got a whole journey from VHS and
Beta taste little bit now to today and when this
festival first started, I think back in sort of two
thousand and one. I think it's a great opportunity for
(19:27):
filmmakers everywhere. I'm curious about the international sort of zone
on this snide. It's based in Seattle, right, so you
are out here in the west becaust Can anybody submit
from anywhere in the world. Does it have to be
from the US?
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Yes, anyone can submit from anywhere in the world. It
has to be buying about South Asia or South Asian
topic or you have to be South Asian making anything
any kind of film or anyone making on South Asia
South Asia?
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Right, Okay, so it could be you know, I can
have a complete white cast, but it's talking about South Asian.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
Yes, all right, generated, But our programming committee will rate
it's all up to them.
Speaker 5 (20:12):
But yeah, and I will ask this as well, because
now you people are keen to submit to film festival,
and it's great that there's more opportunities to make film
with the iPhones and whatnot.
Speaker 3 (20:24):
So I always encourage people to make your film fail.
It's okay. You know, you learn as you go along
as any journey. What's your If somebody has looked a
somebitting in a film for film there, and they'll be like, well,
what's your criteria?
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Does it?
Speaker 3 (20:37):
Does it? You know? How can I go ahead and
make sure that the programmers love it? And whatnot? Is
do you have a vetting process that it goes through?
Is it large? And how long is it? What's what's
that look like for people?
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Yes, we put together a committee at the programming Programmers
committee where they review films as the films are coming
in and they start watching the films and we say
every film has to be seen by minimum three programmers.
They review and they mark and then we based on
(21:12):
how many we can fit in in our film festival,
which is about eighty two sometimes one hundred, we take
the top eighty two hundred films I would say to
be successful. First submitted in a fully finished Try to
(21:34):
walk the programmers and try to visualize and imagine how
they could be watching it. There's this term starting to
come out that it should be iPhone proof for real proof,
like a person is being on their phone and watching
(21:56):
the film. So try to get their attention in just
a few minutes. Then you're solid. It's yeah. Try to
read up on our basic criteria qualification, which is on
our film freeway dot and see what kind of Just
(22:20):
do the research, what kind of films we have shown
in the past, whether it's a good fit, whether we
have shown if you're submitting a horror film, whether we
have shown horror films or not. Just do those kind
of research and see whether it's worth your money to
submit the film.
Speaker 3 (22:39):
Yeah right, Yeah, that's good advice as well, especially because
we just don't know what about in terms of how
many films do you get and how many you have
to choose from.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
Yeah, we get about last year we got about five
hundred films, and to compare that to any in average
a new film festival will get one hundred fifty to
two hundred films, we get about six hundred. All these
South Asian very focused niche topics made within a year,
(23:12):
which is a huge number, and it's growing every year.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
So it's really if you think about it, for those
folks who are submitting, you know, if it's say six
hundred films, I mean, you're probably don't even be able
to get about eighty two one hundred in there. So
it's one in six or so, right, that's really going
to be able to make it so that you have
to make sure that it's kind of that fits the
criteria and they've done their research, they know what they're submittingful,
that's really good advice, and you know, have that sort
(23:37):
of like you said, I think I like that device
kind of it could be a device of what going want.
I mean, I don't know what the programmers do. Hopefully
it's not on a freeway and they're watching on their
iPhone or something, but hopefully it's it could be on
an iPhone, is what you're saying. There was somebody who
was telling the other day, like, we've got to make
sure it's perfect for and the five point ones around
(23:59):
sound they've got they've got you know, it's in four
K and when it's when it's in the cinema, it
will sound great, and I said, well, yes, that's fantastic
when it's played. But keep in mind that I don't
know if the programmers are going into this Dolby Theater
and watching and previewing films when they've got six hundred
to watch, right, So I think it's good advice for
(24:20):
people to I think that's actually very good advice to say. Look,
make it that probably they're gonna watch on Vimeo because
that's what film Freeway uses. Vimeo. So it's going to
be streaming and it's probably not gonna be four K,
but it's still visually enough for them to figure out
whether it's a film that they would think it's worthy
of the festival. Correct.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Yeah, I'm not talking about the device on which they're watching.
I'm talking about their attention span. Now people are starting
to do multitasking while doing something. You cannot watch without
being getting disturbed. Acted even if you're watching something on Netflix,
(25:02):
you're getting distracted. I start to do my emails. I
decided it. So they're saying that it should be a
tension proof, distraction proof, like imagine if they're watching they're
on their phone and watching your film, would where it
stand that test it's it's like an inner joke.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
Yeah, yeah, I forget it. I think what you're saying
is it's going to be at tension grabbing. So from
the outset, right, you can't be like, well it's going
to get good in about five minutes. It's well, you
know people are going to be It's just human nature, right,
We're all distracted. Whether if you a buddy sends your film, they're.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Not going to grab popcorn and their blankets and going
to oh, I'm going to spend my evening watching these
film file reviewing this film. F No, they take it
as a job. They're going to say, okay, I have
to get through twenty submissions, how do I do it?
And there's maybe somebody is watching on slightly speed up.
(26:06):
Now I'm saying that you have to think about all that.
I'm just giving you too many inner things, like imagine
their three reviewers are watching, and can just watch your
film doing all these different things, do slightly speed up,
or do watch it on your computer, or do all
(26:29):
this as if you're a programmer.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
And that's true, that's good, that's true. Sometimes I put
my lens onto somebody's having a film. A friend sends
me a film like, okay, I'll watch it, don't worry,
and they you know, and I'm it's going to be
sometimes distracted, right, You've got people, so but we try
and you know, focusing on the things and something grabs
you like, oh okay, that's that's interesting. Let me let me
(26:52):
focus in on that. It's human nature. But that's good
tips for everyone. So also, now I know that it's
not just about the film festival. There's also a market,
So let's talk about that. How would you for people
listening and like they're saying, okay, this here, yeah, I
know it's film festival. I'm hearing about this market as well.
What's that about?
Speaker 1 (27:10):
Yes, the market is unprecedented for any South Asian film
festival or an organization or film festival of our size
because it's only being done at a very huge festivals
like Khan or Berlin or Busan and all that. So
(27:32):
what we are doing and trying to really disrupt the
film festival's circuit by adding a market to a festival
of our size is really putting. I think we have
to really move forward with just showcasing the films, but
(27:54):
also create a space where when filmmakers invest in this
money to come to a film festival. They are actually
also getting opportunity to meet with the decision makers and
putting producers and filmmakers directly in front of the decision makers.
We are bringing people from studios, production houses, investors or
(28:18):
EPs who can actually invest in your idea. So we
had been thinking about this idea for many years, for
five six years, then COVID hit and finally and then
the strikes happened in Hollywood, and then when that opened up,
we said, let's kick this off. Let's try it out.
(28:41):
Maybe first year, few filmmakers, few projects will be submitted,
twenty to thirty. We got two hundred and eighty projects
in the first year itself. In a pitching stage where
they can pitch to a producer or a you know, studio.
(29:05):
We selected about sixty projects from there and made them
available to put a mad. We have a platform in
our back end where they can upload their project and
their information and then we give access to all the
studio people and they have access to it. We had
different stages. One would be in script stage and then
(29:28):
one would be mid level, one would be finished stage
of the film, and we had web series also which
we won't be continuing this year. We'll come back with
that some other year and then both for future narrative
and feature documentary, not for short film. The market is
for the future length and then what else We do
(29:55):
have film fun We have delegates coming, we have networking events,
we have industry panels where we provide more knowledge and
masterclasses to all these filmmakers who are in the stage
of learning and getting more information. So people were just
(30:21):
so happy we are filling in a huge gap that
exists right now, opening up many doors or trying to
open up as many doors as possible. And everyone was
so happy and went back with so much positive enthusiasm
(30:42):
and wanting to come back and write something there.
Speaker 3 (30:47):
That's I mean, that's that's like you said, unprecedented. So
I mean you're going from unprecedented the next town precedent.
Speaker 1 (30:54):
Sitting here like what would be the.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
Next Yeah, I'm I'm thinking to myself, Ante, this is
this is a film market, now, what what is? What?
What are you guys going to come up with next?
You know, is we're going to say, like right now
we're actually got another place with the sphere that exists
for South Asian filmmakers. No it's fantastic. I think part
of the reason. I mean, you and I were at Sundance, right,
so if you think about it, we were also out there.
(31:18):
I mean, there are buyers out there. We're looking for buyers,
and sellers are out there. So it's really a market
anyway in its sense, but it's not focused. It's like
you're trying to catch people and everybody's kind of doing
those things. But too, this is differential. It's a focused
area for people and I love that, right. It provides
an opportunity for people to meet, and you know, one
of the things is the camaraderie that you get, I know,
(31:41):
you know with that sort of that buzz. I mean,
one of the nicest things was just to feel that
we're all here in this together and that there's events
and parties going on and that we we can sort
of celebrate together. Right, Those wins, especially in the creative industry,
because there's no sort of like a regular sort of
nine to five job. Badalon Man Mamashamil Hutchukai up, no man.
Speaker 4 (32:06):
You're listening to Ruckus Avenue Radio Avenue available now on
the free iHeart Radio Shine.
Speaker 3 (32:27):
But so I think in terms of how long is
the festival for the Spear Festival.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
Then it's one week. We will start on a Tuesday,
seventh through twelfth Sunday, gotcha?
Speaker 3 (32:40):
All right? And do you have it on pretty much
the same time.
Speaker 1 (32:43):
And every year yes, in October?
Speaker 3 (32:46):
Right, and so this year, what do you do that's
a huge celebration? Then is there going to be a
big party that people should be aware of. They're gonna
come over.
Speaker 1 (32:55):
Oh party, we love parties videos and uh yeah, dance party,
networking party every evening we can with.
Speaker 3 (33:07):
It right right? Right? Then? So you have sponsors and
things like that, just like these things happen right every year.
Speaker 1 (33:16):
We have everything, We have great ideas. The word we
don't have is enough money. So if this video a
program could do a pitch for us and say please
sponsor us, we would we promise we will make it
worth your while.
Speaker 3 (33:33):
Well, I mean, this is the opportunity to amplify that.
So for people listening out there, they want to be
able to sponsor the Sphere Film Festival, here is an
opportunity for you to have that. It is a nonprofit,
but it's a great way to get your brand out there,
especially because it's Oscar qualifying you have a market there
as well. With that, I'm going to take a quick break,
so welcome back everyone, and welcome back to Rockers Avenue.
(33:56):
Radio might show Bollywood to Hollywood, and I have retail
Mayha from this sphere telling us all about how wonderful
and amazing the film festival is going to be honest
and also having fun with it right the parties as well.
I mean, look, you it's one thing to talk about
the sort of process. Everybody's worked really hard to get
the film there. They do want to celebrate it, whether
that it wins or it doesn't win. So I think,
(34:18):
you know that's part of what we had the fun.
You know, you have got all these film festivals, even
at Sundance and others. How do you feel like about
is there this particular type of sponsor or that you're
looking for that is out there or you know, what
are your current sponsors like? And you know you've been
there doing this in the twentieth years, so it could
be something very celebratory, right.
Speaker 1 (34:40):
Yes, we are looking for all range of sponsors, brand partners.
We have a producer lab that we are starting this
year for South Asian producers. We need someone to underwrite
that program. We are looking for development fund sponsors. Yes,
(35:01):
we do thus Free Film Fund and that's already been
taken care of by Netflix. We want to create more
development funds for documentary feature documentary Development Fund. We want
that to be sponsored, and we want award sponsorship anywhere,
(35:22):
like a transformative gift that could really go little bit further.
We would love that. We would love that support, but
at any level. If you want to support in different
ways or in kind, cash, donation and contribution, we are
(35:43):
we would love to know about that.
Speaker 3 (35:45):
And it's also five to one we see, so if.
Speaker 1 (35:49):
You donate, your money will be tax exempted.
Speaker 3 (35:53):
Right, Okay, that's awesome to know for those people who
do want to donate. Yeah, so I think that's a
real opportunity. What about this year, how's it going to
be different being the twentieth year. Is this some kind
of a specific thing that you're focused but you're.
Speaker 1 (36:07):
Doing so being the twentieth year, we will be and
second year for the film market. Yes, there will be
a lot of celebration around the twentieth year. We are
still in the planning mode, so you will hear more
about it, just more focus on bringing diverse stories to
(36:31):
our festival and more opportunities and as I mentioned Producer's Lab,
that's for the market. Yeah, we're still in planning mode.
You will hear about it, you don't hear about.
Speaker 3 (36:47):
It, so's to be determined to keep following the spear,
the organ and so forth. I think you're kind of
saying that it will come up and you're going to
make those announcements. That's really really exciting. What about just
shifting gears for a second. I want to like talk
about yourself that you you know you set this up.
I mean growing up or you involved in film? Was
it something that your parents would encourage you to do?
Because being a South Asian person, there's so many times
(37:09):
I have people on the podcast too they're like, well,
you know, I became a doctor or I became you know,
into but I always wanted to make a film, and
then sometimes I do. I mean I've had somebody who
who was a doctor who said I'm now a filmmaker.
It's fantastic. I always tell people you can do different things,
don't worry about it. A BYuT yourself, I mean, was
how was.
Speaker 1 (37:29):
Your sort of Yeah, well my story is also similar.
My parents I wanted to go into films or in
some form or other. Of course, my parents I love
them and supporting their decisions, but they didn't let me
(37:51):
go into film. But I always thought about it, how
to get involved with it. But I didn't become Thank god,
I didn't become a doctor and never passed any entrance
exam for that. So I ended up becoming a Japanese
translator in India in Japanese. And then I went to Japan,
(38:15):
lived there for a while for four years, and anywhere
I got an opportunity to do something arts or creative work.
I started a film club, I worked in their TV station,
did their one English program. I started with my colleague,
and then when I came here, I started. I made
(38:37):
a short film right after nine to eleven, which is
the genesis of starting Tuesweed or with Fara. After experience
in some hate incident, I said I want to make
a film on my experience, and that got the ball rolling.
(38:58):
I signed up at a local community college and took
video production classes and made a short film called Citizenship
one on one based on my experience. And so I
always was very determined about whatever I put my head into,
(39:19):
like I want to try that out and do that.
And I didn't have enough resources and support in India.
But once I moved to Japan and US as a
oh there's a chance I can do anything I want
and took the.
Speaker 3 (39:38):
That's to you to be able to do that and
speak Japanese. Who knew that you speak Japanese did in
Japanese translations and so well, this is amazing, I think. Yeah.
I mean, so if an incident kind of inspired you
as well, this is things that are Sometimes it's an
incident that does kind of make you sort of spur
you want to be more determined rather than sort of
(39:59):
push back even more, which is really good to hear that,
you know, it inspire. I love hearing about that. I
I was watching the short Alien, which was also nominated
for an Oscar. It went, but it was interesting to see,
you know how it sort of hits home in it's
sort of like even current climates and so forth. So
(40:19):
and what's what's kind of your vision? And I mean
when you look back and whether it's your parents or
families like well, wow, I mean the film festival, you know,
rather than you know and you're and you're successful, they
look back and say, well, I didn't know you could
do that. We thought, you know, you would just end
up doing some corporate thing or you know, whether it's
(40:40):
some sort of a you know, being a doctor, et cetera.
How do they view it?
Speaker 1 (40:45):
My my family, my parents, they're very very proud. They
are very proud. It's still for my father, I explain what,
but he came after in his eighteenth or nineteenth year,
he came in no, sorry, eighteenth year, he came and
visited our film festival. Love did it and it was
(41:10):
it was you know, when a child can see how
their parents is proud of their it's just there's no
word to it. You can't explain. And so now they're
very proud and they know I'm doing something different. All
(41:31):
my siblings are either software engineers or bank officer or
they're doing very well. But my path is a little
bit different than all. So I and then my son
is now I support him. He's going to go into music,
(41:52):
he's going to do so I following what I.
Speaker 3 (41:57):
Preach, right, Yeah, Yeahlarly, that's that's fantastic. So you're actually
going forward to that. It's amazing. I'm I'm really happy
to hear that. So what's what's next? So, Okay, you've
got you know this, this film, do you have any
ambitions to do anything different? And I'm curious also, it's
the second part to the question is I've had some
people say to me, I want to make a film
(42:19):
festival too. I think I'm going to do that. How
how how feasible is that? Did they want to do
that as well?
Speaker 1 (42:28):
Yeah, anyone can do it. It's it's not like there
is no book about it or formula. It's a lot
of perseverance and continuity because as you know, how arts
is viewed in our community or culture, and and if
(42:49):
it's not the main international film festival, it's a very
niche market. So it depends what kind of films and
topic and team you're doing. But just be at it,
and you know that there will be lots of ups
and downs, but if you have the right determination, everything
(43:14):
will work out. You have to really work hard at it.
So what's next for it? So we want to take
the speech to a level where one it's I always say,
I want it to be the Sundance of the South
Asian Film Festival, where we have an institute in the background,
(43:39):
where we are providing education, training, knowledge for emerging new
filmmakers and creators. We are also supporting them. We are
finding money for them, funding for them, mentorship for them.
So we want it to be one star, all encompassing
(44:02):
a really strong film and arts organization and yeah, starting
more labs and more knowledge and amals and everything that
we can provide to become a filmmaker or a storyteller.
Speaker 3 (44:26):
Yeah, it's amazing. Yeah, I mean hopefully that those dreams
will also come true and will obviously see how to
sort of progress from success to success. I have one
last question for you. Really it's just too you know,
and it's just to put you on the spot here,
but if you had a choice or to invite two
people for dinner, they're dead or alive, and I'm curious
(44:49):
it can be anybody. So and you had the chance
to spend that time with them, who would they be?
And why?
Speaker 1 (44:58):
Wow? Yes it was One name always comes to me
as mir and Ayer. I see her as my north
star and always see her as my mentor. Even though
if I don't get to talk to her as a mentor,
I always follow her journey. So I would love to
(45:21):
have dinner with her or meal with her the other person.
I would say, Uh, I don't know who else could
that be? I have to think about it. I I
don't know if it should be in the film world, or.
Speaker 3 (45:43):
It could be personal or film world, or you know,
I may maybe in that mm hmmm, which whichever, it
doesn't really matter. Some people have said things like there
their parents if they weren't you know, live or you know,
and what not?
Speaker 1 (45:57):
Be Obama. I would love it, right right?
Speaker 3 (46:02):
Yeah, No, that'd be very interesting, right, it would be
very interesting dinner Obama. And yeah, it's amazing. There's no
right wrong answer. It's just more like, you know, kind
of put what would be very interesting to have right
together in one place?
Speaker 1 (46:16):
And my goodness Oprah of course Oprah?
Speaker 3 (46:19):
Yeah, oh yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (46:21):
Can I ring three?
Speaker 3 (46:23):
Yeah, I mean you can. It's one only has two,
but you can have to say no to the other person.
Uh so would it be? Would it be Oprah versus Obama?
If you had a choice? Mira Nyan, Okay, cool, Cool,
that's that's good to know. Yeah, I mean I think
that'd be very interesting dinner. Right. And and they're they're
both around, so you can you can do that.
Speaker 1 (46:46):
They listen to they will listen to your radio program
and they'll see readers asking we'll just.
Speaker 3 (46:53):
Have to tag them on. Then we'll basically get them
to say, look, you were mentioned here, so you never know.
Now there's been wonderful chatting with you Rita and hearing
more about the sphere and you know, and thank you
for doing so much for the community as well, the
South Asian community and in large, and I hope it
(47:15):
goes from strength to strength. I'm looking forward to being
there as well.
Speaker 6 (47:18):
And you know, I think it's I'm glad that it's
the will celebrate the twentieth this time around, right, it's
a big achievement.
Speaker 3 (47:29):
So thanks the weak mayor.
Speaker 1 (47:32):
Yeah, thank you coming on and I look forward to
having you with us this year.
Speaker 3 (47:36):
FADA twenty eight year, Thank you
Speaker 2 (47:57):
The world's most listened to South Aision radio and podcast
network
And to become the one and only OSCAR qualifying film
festival as a South Asian film festival. I think they
have never done that before. It was unprecedented for them too.
They have given to big international film festivals or Asian
film festival I think one Asian film festival, but to
(00:26):
also narrow down to give it to a South Asian
festival hasn't been given before this accreditation.
Speaker 2 (00:42):
You're listening to Rockets Avenue Radio, available now on the
free iHeartRadio app.
Speaker 3 (00:59):
So hello everyone, and welcome to Ruckus Avenue Radio, part
of iHeartRadio, and I'm your host, Kamal Khan and for
my show Bollywood to Hollywood, where I have guests coming
in to talk about very innovative things, especially talking about
the current market in South Asian and in general. And
I'm pretty excited because I have a executive producer and
(01:24):
also sorry, executive director of thesphere dot org and she's
with us here today, Rita Meyer.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Yes, thank you so much, Comal to have me on
your show. I'm excited.
Speaker 3 (01:36):
Yeah, I know, I'm happy to have you on the
show as well. By the way, and you're also co
founder for the Sphere, so I know for a fact
that obviously it's the only South Asian film festival out
there that is OSCAR qualifying globally. But there's a lot
more to the sphere and how you've been part of
it so many years, and how you've contributed to South
(01:58):
Asians who are out there, who are filmmakers and so forth.
So what I'd love to know is kind of like
you know, it's developed since that time, and I think
that's still accurate what I'm talking about this sphere. First
of all, some people don't even know what the sphere
necessarily means in Hindi or do so can you tell
them what that means? Where the name came from?
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Yes, this we means picture in Hindi, we do so,
I mean we is the Hindi or the or the
word for picture. And in South Asia when we want
to go to CEO film, we said cello picture, deno picture.
We refer film as picture. So we thought it would
(02:40):
be a fun translation here for UH to run a
film organization to call it the sphere.
Speaker 3 (02:50):
That's awesome. So yeah, you're trying to take that name
and it's really that exact translation picture, right, Yes, So
tell me, like if you can go back for a bit, right,
you know, obviously you're a co founder for the Sphere
of Film Festival. What sort of you know it made
you think about setting up a film festival in the
(03:13):
first place.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
Yes, thank you for that question, and I don't want
to take the full credit to it. I have to
talk a little bit about my co founder, my best
friend father Nochine. So right after nine to eleven, when
we saw there was a lot of hate incidents and
(03:37):
so much misinformation and phobia, Islamophobia, xenophobia and homophobia that
existed and it kind of activated after nine to eleven attacks,
we felt we needed to create this space where we
can all meet and curate a dialogue around these topics
(04:01):
and alleviate all kind of ignorance that existed. We wanted
to tell our own stories rather than being told by
others or for medias to form information on us. So
Fara and I thought the best way to do this
to use film as a tool to alleviate ignorance. So
(04:22):
we started showing one film at a time, bringing films
on Muslim to perspective and LGBTQI films or Hindi Muslim
films that showed our love and friendship India between India
Pakistan or Hindi Muslim. So we started showing one film
(04:44):
at a time and our mission is to inspire social
change through film, arts and storytelling. And that process grew
into a film festival. We founded three in two thousand
and two, and two years later we said why don't
Seeing the response such a good response, we thought, why
(05:05):
not start a film festival, a Southeasian Film Festival.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
That's awesome now, I mean, obviously there was a lot
of change in nine to eleven, and I think it's
great that you have that opportunity for people. There was
a lot of confusion about people in general. I mean
I think there was I remember that sort of time.
I was in London personally at that time, but there
was a sosmophobia. You had people like Seeks being attacked
and other and it was just unprecedented. So I think
(05:31):
that negative sentiment was really awful for people. So I
think that in media is a great way and at
all to notr really bring people together, but also then
to tell your stories. So no, thank you for doing that.
I mean, I think it's a it's a great achievement,
but also a consistency now, how many years has it been.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
It's twenty three plus years.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
Yeah, wow, time flies and you've still you're still at it?
Speaker 1 (05:54):
Okay, how would sorry one story at a time?
Speaker 3 (06:00):
When film one story at a time? Yeah, what I'd
love to hear about. And a lot of people don't
know this that. It's also like we talked about earlier,
it's OSCO qualifying. What did it take to become Moscow qualifying?
Speaker 1 (06:15):
So the process is very rigorous. We applied actually in
the middle of the COVID. Before that, we were thinking
about it for pretty much three years and trying to
find a contact. It's not easy. All the information is
not readily available on the website. We applied. There's an
(06:38):
application process and it took about two years to get qualified.
They have an internal committee where they do their due diligence.
They see what kind of films we have shown, where
we have shown, what is our mission vision and the
(06:58):
continuity and excuse me, they see everything, They take everything
into consideration and then they make their decision. And to
become the one and only OSCAR qualifying film festival as
a South Asian film festival, I think they have never
(07:19):
done that before. It was unprecedented for them too. They
have given to big international film festivals or Asian film
festival I think one Asian Film festival, but to also
narrow down to give it to a South Asian festival
hasn't been given before this accreditation. It's yeah, it's they
(07:44):
took everything into consideration, our reputation, our work, our twenty
three years of work.
Speaker 3 (07:53):
Yeah yeah, and how long has it been at Oscar
Qualifying Film Festival.
Speaker 1 (07:57):
Then the news came in twenty twenty three that we
are qualified.
Speaker 3 (08:04):
Congratulations. I mean, that's amazing. So this will be kind
of what the third year. Yeah, that's the case.
Speaker 1 (08:12):
Can I add a little bit what it means to
be It's not just for the namesake, like oh wow,
it's we are an OSCAR qualifying By becoming an OSCAR
qualifying South Asian Film Festival, what we have done for
South Asian filmmakers that we have guaranteed a South Asian
(08:32):
film to be put in front of the OSCAR committee
to be qualified for OSCAR nomination. And the first year
when we did that in twenty twenty three, in his
debut year itself, we pushed we put Afghani film Yellow
Afghani British film that got shortlisted for Oscars. And so
(08:57):
now the South Asian films or filmmakers don't have to
chase like big film festivals like can or Trybecca and
all that, where the number is huge and then to
get shortlisted to a South Asian film is almost one
among hundreds of films. But here now it's guaranteed, right, and.
Speaker 3 (09:17):
It provides an opportunity for them to be able to
do that versus like you know, just in a big
vast ocean of just Asian in general, et cetera. Right,
So you're enhancing opportunities for people. But in terms of
so if they get accepted into an OSCAR qualifying film festival,
for those who don't know in the audience, what would
that mean If they get accepted, does that mean that
(09:38):
they can be in OSCAR nominee or do they How
do they have to win the festival? What's their process?
Speaker 1 (09:45):
They do have to win an award in our festival too,
and it's only for short films. The future films don't
go through film festivals. They have a different process. So
this nomination is on for shortlisting only for short films
and they do have to win a Jury Award in
our film festival, right.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
And so it's I'm curious for people listening and like, Okay,
this is You've done so many years, You've obviously you know,
given so many opportunities to South Asian. There's many South
Asian film festivals that are out there, of course, which
is fantastic, but having to go to the sphere and say,
for example, they are looking to bring their film to
(10:29):
where have you had any success stories that you can
speak to for example that maybe you know, hey, you're
really proud of this and you managed to take that
short film but it got us no nominated or whatnot.
Is there any any that that you want to highlight?
Speaker 1 (10:43):
Yes, But just like I mentioned Yellow, it was shown
in our film festival, it got in Judy Award, and
now LMSs can say in his portfolio his film got
a shortlist in Oscars and it was also shown at
(11:04):
our festival. It opens doors for the filmmaker and the
film in a lot of ways. It becomes like a
domino effect and it can get accepted to many other
film festivals. There's more eyes on it. The measuring and
impact is difficult for small nonprofits like ours, but since
(11:30):
it just happened. That's one example for Yellow And this
year we showed Anuja. Though Anuja didn't get an award
in our festival, we can't take credit for that. It
was nominated for Oscars. So I think it's coming more
and more. Impact will just grow from here. It's just
(11:51):
the beginning. And yeah, what we have seen in the
past many filmmakers who say Charmino Wade who used to
send VHS tapes to us, Can we say, oh, she
became big because of us. No, we can't say that,
but we play a part in their journey of a
(12:12):
filmmaker and their films. So yeah, we know Charmina Wad
for a long time. And Sean Exen whose film All
That Breeds that got nominated in Oscars in twenty twenty three.
I believe he's also our alumni his first film and
(12:34):
got award in our festival. So we would like to
say that we are supportive and want to really uplift
our filmmakers and their films. But it's never like one
thing we did this for you, that's why you became
so big. So we want to play we want to
uplift them and play part in their journey and becoming successful, and.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
That's amazing, that's fantastic. Look, I mean providing a platform
for them to be able to be available whether they
win or not. It's it's it's not necessarily as important.
But like you said back in the day, you're getting
VHS tapes and so became successful from you know it,
But there are others. Right, it's a journey, and we
all know it's a journey. As a filmmaker myself, we
know it's a journey, and it's a process and you
(13:20):
you continue, but you get a platform. You get to
be able to network, you get to meet people who
you can learn from. And also, as we know, even
when you're you know, when you see somebody on screen
who is brown, who's South Asian, and you can feel
that you represented, that's so important. And then you get
recognized on top of that, it's an amazing feeling. And
you're providing that platform at the sphere for those people
(13:43):
and pretty much that like that makes a huge difference
to people's lives effectively, right, their stories maybe there that
are very close to their heart or whatever journey they're on,
you know, maybe it helps them to get into other
make more films or other festivals. Sure, So I'm curious
because it's been a while since you first started. It's
(14:04):
your vision from the code with your co founder, for
where do you think it is now? Obviously we know
about the Oscar qualifying piece of it, right, but in
terms of the films you're seeing as well, I mean,
are you seeing any difference from when you first got
those submissions? I am surely had many, and I'm curious
now how that's changed given the environment of nine to
(14:26):
eleven back then to what we're seeing now today.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Yeah, I want to answer that question in two parts.
So where are we right now from where we started?
And the second part whould be working the difference in
films that we used to get submitted back then and now.
So when we started, our whole mission was curate a
(14:56):
dialogue around these topics and inspired social change and just
showcasing films was our goal. And there wasn't that much
effort or resources because also we didn't have those to
put behind a filmmaker. Filmmakers were summita film and we
(15:16):
would showcase it. And so now where we are is
we are have more capacity. We have we are a
full full time run a nonprofit film organization. We have staff,
so we have created more initiatives. We are putting resources
(15:38):
behind filmmakers also so that stories are being told and
come to fruition. If you have an idea, it can
come to a fruition. And we have initiatives like the
three Film Fund where we put give money three grants
that we give every year twenty five thousand dollars each
for short films. And we also have an effort to
(16:02):
put the films on Alaska airlines. As a distribution platform,
we have our own distribution platform, thus ree TV. We
are kicking off slowly. This year we started the market
which we can talk more in a little bit. But
we're putting more tools and resources behind filmmakers so they
(16:24):
are supported and they can go into make their film.
And your second question was what kind of changes we
have seen from the first time when they were making
and now so as I said, yeah, those used to
come on VHS, tape our better bet or something very
(16:49):
big cassettes or thirty five millimeter reels. So and those
were very monola like we have to call filmmakers and
contact them and mostly they were coming from South Asia
and people in North America. This side our South Asian
(17:13):
creative team had not grown that much because one there's
a culture behind when our parents came, not mine, but
when we came, we all worked harder and we wanted
to go into it or medical and all that. So
this South Asian daspera of filmmaking wasn't that big or
(17:37):
growing and it was very limited, very few diaspora films
back then. So more films from South Asia, South Asia,
and now we have seen a huge explosion in those films.
Filmmaker based out of North America or outside South Asia
making more and more films than the has gone up.
(18:01):
And so we are really enjoying and seeing those stories
are being told and showing those stories. Yeah, that's thee
that's a big difference.
Speaker 3 (18:13):
That's awesome and I think that's it's great to know
the journey that's taken place over this period of time.
So we're gonna go on a quick break to just
for and we'll come back to talk a little bit
more about the film festival.
Speaker 1 (18:25):
Can we World got from the same stone? I very
swindows look.
Speaker 4 (18:38):
To the stuff you're listening to Ruckus Avenue Radio, lift.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
The honest Aleginy. So welcome back everyone and I have
the pleasure of talking with the executive director for the
Sphere Film Festival, Rita Mayher, and she's also the co founder.
So when we're talking a little bit about the journey
(19:07):
and how the film festival started, how things have evolved
since then, and she's sharing with us the fact that
we have basically got a whole journey from VHS and
Beta taste little bit now to today and when this
festival first started, I think back in sort of two
thousand and one. I think it's a great opportunity for
(19:27):
filmmakers everywhere. I'm curious about the international sort of zone
on this snide. It's based in Seattle, right, so you
are out here in the west becaust Can anybody submit
from anywhere in the world. Does it have to be
from the US?
Speaker 1 (19:41):
Yes, anyone can submit from anywhere in the world. It
has to be buying about South Asia or South Asian
topic or you have to be South Asian making anything
any kind of film or anyone making on South Asia
South Asia?
Speaker 3 (20:00):
Right, Okay, so it could be you know, I can
have a complete white cast, but it's talking about South Asian.
Speaker 1 (20:05):
Yes, all right, generated, But our programming committee will rate
it's all up to them.
Speaker 5 (20:12):
But yeah, and I will ask this as well, because
now you people are keen to submit to film festival,
and it's great that there's more opportunities to make film
with the iPhones and whatnot.
Speaker 3 (20:24):
So I always encourage people to make your film fail.
It's okay. You know, you learn as you go along
as any journey. What's your If somebody has looked a
somebitting in a film for film there, and they'll be like, well,
what's your criteria?
Speaker 1 (20:37):
Does it?
Speaker 3 (20:37):
Does it? You know? How can I go ahead and
make sure that the programmers love it? And whatnot? Is
do you have a vetting process that it goes through?
Is it large? And how long is it? What's what's
that look like for people?
Speaker 1 (20:51):
Yes, we put together a committee at the programming Programmers
committee where they review films as the films are coming
in and they start watching the films and we say
every film has to be seen by minimum three programmers.
They review and they mark and then we based on
(21:12):
how many we can fit in in our film festival,
which is about eighty two sometimes one hundred, we take
the top eighty two hundred films I would say to
be successful. First submitted in a fully finished Try to
(21:34):
walk the programmers and try to visualize and imagine how
they could be watching it. There's this term starting to
come out that it should be iPhone proof for real proof,
like a person is being on their phone and watching
(21:56):
the film. So try to get their attention in just
a few minutes. Then you're solid. It's yeah. Try to
read up on our basic criteria qualification, which is on
our film freeway dot and see what kind of Just
(22:20):
do the research, what kind of films we have shown
in the past, whether it's a good fit, whether we
have shown if you're submitting a horror film, whether we
have shown horror films or not. Just do those kind
of research and see whether it's worth your money to
submit the film.
Speaker 3 (22:39):
Yeah right, Yeah, that's good advice as well, especially because
we just don't know what about in terms of how
many films do you get and how many you have
to choose from.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
Yeah, we get about last year we got about five
hundred films, and to compare that to any in average
a new film festival will get one hundred fifty to
two hundred films, we get about six hundred. All these
South Asian very focused niche topics made within a year,
(23:12):
which is a huge number, and it's growing every year.
Speaker 3 (23:16):
So it's really if you think about it, for those
folks who are submitting, you know, if it's say six
hundred films, I mean, you're probably don't even be able
to get about eighty two one hundred in there. So
it's one in six or so, right, that's really going
to be able to make it so that you have
to make sure that it's kind of that fits the
criteria and they've done their research, they know what they're submittingful,
that's really good advice, and you know, have that sort
(23:37):
of like you said, I think I like that device
kind of it could be a device of what going want.
I mean, I don't know what the programmers do. Hopefully
it's not on a freeway and they're watching on their
iPhone or something, but hopefully it's it could be on
an iPhone, is what you're saying. There was somebody who
was telling the other day, like, we've got to make
sure it's perfect for and the five point ones around
(23:59):
sound they've got they've got you know, it's in four
K and when it's when it's in the cinema, it
will sound great, and I said, well, yes, that's fantastic
when it's played. But keep in mind that I don't
know if the programmers are going into this Dolby Theater
and watching and previewing films when they've got six hundred
to watch, right, So I think it's good advice for
(24:20):
people to I think that's actually very good advice to say. Look,
make it that probably they're gonna watch on Vimeo because
that's what film Freeway uses. Vimeo. So it's going to
be streaming and it's probably not gonna be four K,
but it's still visually enough for them to figure out
whether it's a film that they would think it's worthy
of the festival. Correct.
Speaker 1 (24:39):
Yeah, I'm not talking about the device on which they're watching.
I'm talking about their attention span. Now people are starting
to do multitasking while doing something. You cannot watch without
being getting disturbed. Acted even if you're watching something on Netflix,
(25:02):
you're getting distracted. I start to do my emails. I
decided it. So they're saying that it should be a
tension proof, distraction proof, like imagine if they're watching they're
on their phone and watching your film, would where it
stand that test it's it's like an inner joke.
Speaker 3 (25:23):
Yeah, yeah, I forget it. I think what you're saying
is it's going to be at tension grabbing. So from
the outset, right, you can't be like, well it's going
to get good in about five minutes. It's well, you
know people are going to be It's just human nature, right,
We're all distracted. Whether if you a buddy sends your film, they're.
Speaker 1 (25:42):
Not going to grab popcorn and their blankets and going
to oh, I'm going to spend my evening watching these
film file reviewing this film. F No, they take it
as a job. They're going to say, okay, I have
to get through twenty submissions, how do I do it?
And there's maybe somebody is watching on slightly speed up.
(26:06):
Now I'm saying that you have to think about all that.
I'm just giving you too many inner things, like imagine
their three reviewers are watching, and can just watch your
film doing all these different things, do slightly speed up,
or do watch it on your computer, or do all
(26:29):
this as if you're a programmer.
Speaker 3 (26:31):
And that's true, that's good, that's true. Sometimes I put
my lens onto somebody's having a film. A friend sends
me a film like, okay, I'll watch it, don't worry,
and they you know, and I'm it's going to be
sometimes distracted, right, You've got people, so but we try
and you know, focusing on the things and something grabs
you like, oh okay, that's that's interesting. Let me let me
(26:52):
focus in on that. It's human nature. But that's good
tips for everyone. So also, now I know that it's
not just about the film festival. There's also a market,
So let's talk about that. How would you for people
listening and like they're saying, okay, this here, yeah, I
know it's film festival. I'm hearing about this market as well.
What's that about?
Speaker 1 (27:10):
Yes, the market is unprecedented for any South Asian film
festival or an organization or film festival of our size
because it's only being done at a very huge festivals
like Khan or Berlin or Busan and all that. So
(27:32):
what we are doing and trying to really disrupt the
film festival's circuit by adding a market to a festival
of our size is really putting. I think we have
to really move forward with just showcasing the films, but
(27:54):
also create a space where when filmmakers invest in this
money to come to a film festival. They are actually
also getting opportunity to meet with the decision makers and
putting producers and filmmakers directly in front of the decision makers.
We are bringing people from studios, production houses, investors or
(28:18):
EPs who can actually invest in your idea. So we
had been thinking about this idea for many years, for
five six years, then COVID hit and finally and then
the strikes happened in Hollywood, and then when that opened up,
we said, let's kick this off. Let's try it out.
(28:41):
Maybe first year, few filmmakers, few projects will be submitted,
twenty to thirty. We got two hundred and eighty projects
in the first year itself. In a pitching stage where
they can pitch to a producer or a you know, studio.
(29:05):
We selected about sixty projects from there and made them
available to put a mad. We have a platform in
our back end where they can upload their project and
their information and then we give access to all the
studio people and they have access to it. We had
different stages. One would be in script stage and then
(29:28):
one would be mid level, one would be finished stage
of the film, and we had web series also which
we won't be continuing this year. We'll come back with
that some other year and then both for future narrative
and feature documentary, not for short film. The market is
for the future length and then what else We do
(29:55):
have film fun We have delegates coming, we have networking events,
we have industry panels where we provide more knowledge and
masterclasses to all these filmmakers who are in the stage
of learning and getting more information. So people were just
(30:21):
so happy we are filling in a huge gap that
exists right now, opening up many doors or trying to
open up as many doors as possible. And everyone was
so happy and went back with so much positive enthusiasm
(30:42):
and wanting to come back and write something there.
Speaker 3 (30:47):
That's I mean, that's that's like you said, unprecedented. So
I mean you're going from unprecedented the next town precedent.
Speaker 1 (30:54):
Sitting here like what would be the.
Speaker 3 (30:56):
Next Yeah, I'm I'm thinking to myself, Ante, this is
this is a film market, now, what what is? What?
What are you guys going to come up with next?
You know, is we're going to say, like right now
we're actually got another place with the sphere that exists
for South Asian filmmakers. No it's fantastic. I think part
of the reason. I mean, you and I were at Sundance, right,
so if you think about it, we were also out there.
(31:18):
I mean, there are buyers out there. We're looking for buyers,
and sellers are out there. So it's really a market
anyway in its sense, but it's not focused. It's like
you're trying to catch people and everybody's kind of doing
those things. But too, this is differential. It's a focused
area for people and I love that, right. It provides
an opportunity for people to meet, and you know, one
of the things is the camaraderie that you get, I know,
(31:41):
you know with that sort of that buzz. I mean,
one of the nicest things was just to feel that
we're all here in this together and that there's events
and parties going on and that we we can sort
of celebrate together. Right, Those wins, especially in the creative industry,
because there's no sort of like a regular sort of
nine to five job. Badalon Man Mamashamil Hutchukai up, no man.
Speaker 4 (32:06):
You're listening to Ruckus Avenue Radio Avenue available now on
the free iHeart Radio Shine.
Speaker 3 (32:27):
But so I think in terms of how long is
the festival for the Spear Festival.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
Then it's one week. We will start on a Tuesday,
seventh through twelfth Sunday, gotcha?
Speaker 3 (32:40):
All right? And do you have it on pretty much
the same time.
Speaker 1 (32:43):
And every year yes, in October?
Speaker 3 (32:46):
Right, and so this year, what do you do that's
a huge celebration? Then is there going to be a
big party that people should be aware of. They're gonna
come over.
Speaker 1 (32:55):
Oh party, we love parties videos and uh yeah, dance party,
networking party every evening we can with.
Speaker 3 (33:07):
It right right? Right? Then? So you have sponsors and
things like that, just like these things happen right every year.
Speaker 1 (33:16):
We have everything, We have great ideas. The word we
don't have is enough money. So if this video a
program could do a pitch for us and say please
sponsor us, we would we promise we will make it
worth your while.
Speaker 3 (33:33):
Well, I mean, this is the opportunity to amplify that.
So for people listening out there, they want to be
able to sponsor the Sphere Film Festival, here is an
opportunity for you to have that. It is a nonprofit,
but it's a great way to get your brand out there,
especially because it's Oscar qualifying you have a market there
as well. With that, I'm going to take a quick break,
so welcome back everyone, and welcome back to Rockers Avenue.
(33:56):
Radio might show Bollywood to Hollywood, and I have retail
Mayha from this sphere telling us all about how wonderful
and amazing the film festival is going to be honest
and also having fun with it right the parties as well.
I mean, look, you it's one thing to talk about
the sort of process. Everybody's worked really hard to get
the film there. They do want to celebrate it, whether
that it wins or it doesn't win. So I think,
(34:18):
you know that's part of what we had the fun.
You know, you have got all these film festivals, even
at Sundance and others. How do you feel like about
is there this particular type of sponsor or that you're
looking for that is out there or you know, what
are your current sponsors like? And you know you've been
there doing this in the twentieth years, so it could
be something very celebratory, right.
Speaker 1 (34:40):
Yes, we are looking for all range of sponsors, brand partners.
We have a producer lab that we are starting this
year for South Asian producers. We need someone to underwrite
that program. We are looking for development fund sponsors. Yes,
(35:01):
we do thus Free Film Fund and that's already been
taken care of by Netflix. We want to create more
development funds for documentary feature documentary Development Fund. We want
that to be sponsored, and we want award sponsorship anywhere,
(35:22):
like a transformative gift that could really go little bit further.
We would love that. We would love that support, but
at any level. If you want to support in different
ways or in kind, cash, donation and contribution, we are
(35:43):
we would love to know about that.
Speaker 3 (35:45):
And it's also five to one we see, so if.
Speaker 1 (35:49):
You donate, your money will be tax exempted.
Speaker 3 (35:53):
Right, Okay, that's awesome to know for those people who
do want to donate. Yeah, so I think that's a
real opportunity. What about this year, how's it going to
be different being the twentieth year. Is this some kind
of a specific thing that you're focused but you're.
Speaker 1 (36:07):
Doing so being the twentieth year, we will be and
second year for the film market. Yes, there will be
a lot of celebration around the twentieth year. We are
still in the planning mode, so you will hear more
about it, just more focus on bringing diverse stories to
(36:31):
our festival and more opportunities and as I mentioned Producer's Lab,
that's for the market. Yeah, we're still in planning mode.
You will hear about it, you don't hear about.
Speaker 3 (36:47):
It, so's to be determined to keep following the spear,
the organ and so forth. I think you're kind of
saying that it will come up and you're going to
make those announcements. That's really really exciting. What about just
shifting gears for a second. I want to like talk
about yourself that you you know you set this up.
I mean growing up or you involved in film? Was
it something that your parents would encourage you to do?
Because being a South Asian person, there's so many times
(37:09):
I have people on the podcast too they're like, well,
you know, I became a doctor or I became you know,
into but I always wanted to make a film, and
then sometimes I do. I mean I've had somebody who
who was a doctor who said I'm now a filmmaker.
It's fantastic. I always tell people you can do different things,
don't worry about it. A BYuT yourself, I mean, was
how was.
Speaker 1 (37:29):
Your sort of Yeah, well my story is also similar.
My parents I wanted to go into films or in
some form or other. Of course, my parents I love
them and supporting their decisions, but they didn't let me
(37:51):
go into film. But I always thought about it, how
to get involved with it. But I didn't become Thank god,
I didn't become a doctor and never passed any entrance
exam for that. So I ended up becoming a Japanese
translator in India in Japanese. And then I went to Japan,
(38:15):
lived there for a while for four years, and anywhere
I got an opportunity to do something arts or creative work.
I started a film club, I worked in their TV station,
did their one English program. I started with my colleague,
and then when I came here, I started. I made
(38:37):
a short film right after nine to eleven, which is
the genesis of starting Tuesweed or with Fara. After experience
in some hate incident, I said I want to make
a film on my experience, and that got the ball rolling.
(38:58):
I signed up at a local community college and took
video production classes and made a short film called Citizenship
one on one based on my experience. And so I
always was very determined about whatever I put my head into,
(39:19):
like I want to try that out and do that.
And I didn't have enough resources and support in India.
But once I moved to Japan and US as a
oh there's a chance I can do anything I want
and took the.
Speaker 3 (39:38):
That's to you to be able to do that and
speak Japanese. Who knew that you speak Japanese did in
Japanese translations and so well, this is amazing, I think. Yeah.
I mean, so if an incident kind of inspired you
as well, this is things that are Sometimes it's an
incident that does kind of make you sort of spur
you want to be more determined rather than sort of
(39:59):
push back even more, which is really good to hear that,
you know, it inspire. I love hearing about that. I
I was watching the short Alien, which was also nominated
for an Oscar. It went, but it was interesting to see,
you know how it sort of hits home in it's
sort of like even current climates and so forth. So
(40:19):
and what's what's kind of your vision? And I mean
when you look back and whether it's your parents or
families like well, wow, I mean the film festival, you know,
rather than you know and you're and you're successful, they
look back and say, well, I didn't know you could
do that. We thought, you know, you would just end
up doing some corporate thing or you know, whether it's
(40:40):
some sort of a you know, being a doctor, et cetera.
How do they view it?
Speaker 1 (40:45):
My my family, my parents, they're very very proud. They
are very proud. It's still for my father, I explain what,
but he came after in his eighteenth or nineteenth year,
he came in no, sorry, eighteenth year, he came and
visited our film festival. Love did it and it was
(41:10):
it was you know, when a child can see how
their parents is proud of their it's just there's no
word to it. You can't explain. And so now they're
very proud and they know I'm doing something different. All
(41:31):
my siblings are either software engineers or bank officer or
they're doing very well. But my path is a little
bit different than all. So I and then my son
is now I support him. He's going to go into music,
(41:52):
he's going to do so I following what I.
Speaker 3 (41:57):
Preach, right, Yeah, Yeahlarly, that's that's fantastic. So you're actually
going forward to that. It's amazing. I'm I'm really happy
to hear that. So what's what's next? So, Okay, you've
got you know this, this film, do you have any
ambitions to do anything different? And I'm curious also, it's
the second part to the question is I've had some
people say to me, I want to make a film
(42:19):
festival too. I think I'm going to do that. How
how how feasible is that? Did they want to do
that as well?
Speaker 1 (42:28):
Yeah, anyone can do it. It's it's not like there
is no book about it or formula. It's a lot
of perseverance and continuity because as you know, how arts
is viewed in our community or culture, and and if
(42:49):
it's not the main international film festival, it's a very
niche market. So it depends what kind of films and
topic and team you're doing. But just be at it,
and you know that there will be lots of ups
and downs, but if you have the right determination, everything
(43:14):
will work out. You have to really work hard at it.
So what's next for it? So we want to take
the speech to a level where one it's I always say,
I want it to be the Sundance of the South
Asian Film Festival, where we have an institute in the background,
(43:39):
where we are providing education, training, knowledge for emerging new
filmmakers and creators. We are also supporting them. We are
finding money for them, funding for them, mentorship for them.
So we want it to be one star, all encompassing
(44:02):
a really strong film and arts organization and yeah, starting
more labs and more knowledge and amals and everything that
we can provide to become a filmmaker or a storyteller.
Speaker 3 (44:26):
Yeah, it's amazing. Yeah, I mean hopefully that those dreams
will also come true and will obviously see how to
sort of progress from success to success. I have one
last question for you. Really it's just too you know,
and it's just to put you on the spot here,
but if you had a choice or to invite two
people for dinner, they're dead or alive, and I'm curious
(44:49):
it can be anybody. So and you had the chance
to spend that time with them, who would they be?
And why?
Speaker 1 (44:58):
Wow? Yes it was One name always comes to me
as mir and Ayer. I see her as my north
star and always see her as my mentor. Even though
if I don't get to talk to her as a mentor,
I always follow her journey. So I would love to
(45:21):
have dinner with her or meal with her the other person.
I would say, Uh, I don't know who else could
that be? I have to think about it. I I
don't know if it should be in the film world, or.
Speaker 3 (45:43):
It could be personal or film world, or you know,
I may maybe in that mm hmmm, which whichever, it
doesn't really matter. Some people have said things like there
their parents if they weren't you know, live or you know,
and what not?
Speaker 1 (45:57):
Be Obama. I would love it, right right?
Speaker 3 (46:02):
Yeah, No, that'd be very interesting, right, it would be
very interesting dinner Obama. And yeah, it's amazing. There's no
right wrong answer. It's just more like, you know, kind
of put what would be very interesting to have right
together in one place?
Speaker 1 (46:16):
And my goodness Oprah of course Oprah?
Speaker 3 (46:19):
Yeah, oh yeah, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (46:21):
Can I ring three?
Speaker 3 (46:23):
Yeah, I mean you can. It's one only has two,
but you can have to say no to the other person.
Uh so would it be? Would it be Oprah versus Obama?
If you had a choice? Mira Nyan, Okay, cool, Cool,
that's that's good to know. Yeah, I mean I think
that'd be very interesting dinner. Right. And and they're they're
both around, so you can you can do that.
Speaker 1 (46:46):
They listen to they will listen to your radio program
and they'll see readers asking we'll just.
Speaker 3 (46:53):
Have to tag them on. Then we'll basically get them
to say, look, you were mentioned here, so you never know.
Now there's been wonderful chatting with you Rita and hearing
more about the sphere and you know, and thank you
for doing so much for the community as well, the
South Asian community and in large, and I hope it
(47:15):
goes from strength to strength. I'm looking forward to being
there as well.
Speaker 6 (47:18):
And you know, I think it's I'm glad that it's
the will celebrate the twentieth this time around, right, it's
a big achievement.
Speaker 3 (47:29):
So thanks the weak mayor.
Speaker 1 (47:32):
Yeah, thank you coming on and I look forward to
having you with us this year.
Speaker 3 (47:36):
FADA twenty eight year, Thank you
Speaker 2 (47:57):
The world's most listened to South Aision radio and podcast
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