FILM: Chutni TV Seeks Films From or About South Asia

A note from LA-based filmmaker and SAJAer Arati Misro - share with filmmakers you know:

Chutni TV seeks films from South Asia or about South Asia that offer  "cross over" appeal for worldwide distribution across all territories. We are interested in films mainly in English but are open to films in other languages if they have a compelling storyline with universal appeal and  high production value. Our focus is predominantly on narratives of feature length and short films but we are also open to documentaries.

Full details below. See Arati's LinkedIn.com profile (free membership of this social networking site needed to see the full profile; here's something I wrote about making LinkedIn useful for professionals in October 2006).

FROM ARATI MISRO, filmmaker.

Dear Fellow  Filmmaker:

Chutni TV seeks films from South Asia or about South Asia that offer  "cross over" appeal for worldwide
distribution across all territories. We are interested in films mainly in English but are open to
films in other languages if they have a compelling storyline with universal appeal and  high production
value. Our focus is predominantly on narratives of feature length and short films but we are also open to
documentaries.

Chutni TV's mission is to offer filmmakers innovative distribution and marketing services thereby showcasing their products in the mainstream marketplace. Chutni TV will leverage the management team's expertise in content licensing coupled with strong industry relations to build a
distinct space for quality South Asian content.

We are actively reviewing submissions at present.  We will also be taking meetings in Toronto at the Toronto Film Festival in September with filmmakers wishing to submit their films.

For any questions, please send your queries to
arati.misro[at]gmail.com

Please send screeners to
Chutni TV c/o Arati Misro
219 S. Tower Dr. #A
Beverly Hills CA 90211

Comments

[Rajiv Soni]

I have written a true story on an Indian's experience in the US in recent trying times (2001-2003) and am looking to a film maker and/ or a book publisher to take it to partake in 'mass communicating' this.

The story is about how the protagonist, builds a corridor between the US and India, with great attitude and determination, fighting against all odds at a molecular level of the day-to-day work and social culture; and of the links forged between two people from two different cultures who, by mutually sharing their hearts, become true soulmates in life....

The story is titled Armaan Inc. (an extract was published in SPAN magazine http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/in1/wwwhspconnovdec05.html) that has instances of America's amity, it's tolerance of multiplicity of cultures and ethnicities and inherent system of rewarding the honest and hardworking- three important aspects that I think America stands for...

Synopsis:
---------
This is the story of Raj, who at 40- having everything 'great' going for him in India decides to relocate to the US of A to fulfill a long cherished dream. He couldn't have come at a worse time in mid 2002 when the entire bay area was seriously reeling under a nationwide economic recession and a spate of lay-offs from employment. Right from the word 'go' on arrival, he knows that he's balancing on a thread, each day bringing a new challenge mostly pointing him to return.

And then, how just as all doors are getting closed on him, first a black American comes to his rescue, and then he is helped by a Muslim from Pakistan- and how with that much required fillip, Raj goes on to survive, and even succeed... in the most dog-eat-dog environment.

The American job market ignores him, daily-life culture scoffs at him, and the American woman...she rebuffs him.

Refusing to give up, he coins a mantra "Appreciate first, Understand later", relentlessly pursuing the path. And, taking a leaf out of 'America's success' book, repackages himself backed with great attitude, humor and wit, and creates a place for himself under the Californian sun connecting and associating materialism, consumerism, freedom with one of the world's richest and most ancient cultures.
It is an account of a dream attached to a burning desire to succeed in Armaan Inc.

I would be happy to answer any questions and share more- one thing I can share right away, here itself...is that: I intend to contribute a percentage of book proceeds towards meeting a need of the underprivileged eg. a mid day meal for the homeless in the beautiful city of San Francisco, or an education service in a backward village in India... possibly both.

Looking forward to hearing from interested persons :-)

Rajiv Soni chartered accountant
G-14/3 DLF City 1, Gurgaon 122002 Haryana INDIA
Tel: 0124-4380568, Mobile: 98-993-28283

[ashish dimri]

Dear Aarti,
It will be a good idea , if you give a chance to budding story writers.
It will help them to show case their work to the outer world
yours sincerely,
ashish dimri
New Delhi

[ravneet]

Filmaka India has launched a new feature the Filmaka journal apart from its monthly professional contests. Filmaka journal can be use to showcase your films that do not fit our periodic contests theme, but you still feel it is entertaining. It can be anything an interesting comedy, an interview anything. The duration limit is between 30 seconds and 90 seconds, remember Filmaka India is a platform to prove your film making skills. We are constantly looking for talent and ideas which we can nurture to create great entertainment.
Best Filmaka Journal of the fortnight gets cash prizes and is commissioned @ Rs 25,000 to make thirty half minute journals for the upcoming month.
Regards,
Filmaka India Team
www.filmaka.in