India Film Fund Gives ₹40 Lakh to New Director

A new film fund in India has ₹40 Lakh to help a new filmmaker. This is a big chance for new talent to make their first film.
By Newsroom | Film, India |

A new feature film co-production fund, established by Humans of Cinema and Safarnaama Pictures, has launched with a ₹40,00,000 purse. The initiative is designed to support an emerging Indian filmmaker with a distinct vision. Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Shaunak Sen and acclaimed director Vishal Bhardwaj have signed on as mentors, offering guidance and creative input.

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The fund intends to back a single feature film project, aiming for a production that is both "festival-ready" and capable of engaging local audiences.

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Sen's production company, Kiterabbit Films, is contributing to the fund, and Sen will also serve as an executive producer on the selected project. The initiative was reportedly born from an Instagram interaction between Harshit Bansal, founder of Humans of Cinema, and Nazim Momin of Safarnaama Pictures, a U.S.-based engineer and producer.

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Jury Assembles

A jury has been convened to select the recipient. The panel includes actor Imran Khan, filmmaker Arati Kadav, producer Aman Mann, and festival director Aseem Chhabra. Bansal stated the jury members are lending their expertise "out of their sheer goodwill and a passion to support good cinema."

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"Independent cinema survives because some people choose to believe in voices before the world discovers them. Happy to support an initiative that hopes to find and nurture the next fearless generation of filmmakers from India." – Vishal Bhardwaj

"Avenues for independent cinema today are rapidly wilting, and I'm delighted that Humans of Cinema is instating a filmmaker-forward seed fund. I’m excited to work with the chosen scripts." – Shaunak Sen

Eligibility and Scope

To qualify, applicants must be Indian citizens, aged 18 or older, with a directorial credit of at least two short films or one feature film. The fund's objective, according to Bansal, is to provide emerging filmmakers with not only financial backing but also "production expertise, and industry access," alongside assistance in securing festival and distribution opportunities.

The creation of this fund appears to address a perceived gap in resources for independent Indian filmmakers, offering a pathway for new voices to bring their distinct stories to fruition.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the new film fund in India?
A new fund called Humans of Cinema and Safarnaama Pictures has started with ₹40 Lakh to help one new Indian filmmaker make a feature film.
Q: Who will mentor the filmmaker?
Academy Award-nominated Shaunak Sen and director Vishal Bhardwaj will guide the chosen filmmaker.
Q: How much money is available?
The fund has ₹40,00,000 available to support one film project.
Q: Who can apply for the fund?
Indian citizens aged 18 or older who have directed at least two short films or one feature film can apply.
Q: What is the goal of the fund?
The fund aims to give money, production help, and access to festivals and distribution for emerging Indian filmmakers.