News

Independent producer Uday Jhunjhunwala has unveiled the establishment of a fund, fiscally sponsored by Desipina Productions, for film, theater, prose and poetry projects centered on international human rights and children’s welfare during South Asian House’s programming at the Tribeca Festival.

The fund was among several projects that gained momentum as South Asian House concluded its third consecutive year of programming at the festival, partnering with the Islamic Scholarship Fund (Isf) and Arab Film and Media Institute (Afmi) to spotlight the need for authentic representation in film.

One of the highlights of the programming was a panel at the AT&T Untold Stories Lounge, curated by Rohi Mirza Pandya, founder of South Asian House/Box Office Guru Media. Moderated by Shruti Ganguly, the conversation featured panelists Aizzah Fatima from Isf and Maya Labban from Afmi. The event opened with a video message from Alana Hadid of Watermelon Pictures, who...

The South Asian House initiative, which aims to highlight, recognize and appreciate South Asians in film and television, has partnered with the Islamic Scholarship Fund to present programming at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, marking a significant collaboration for South Asian, Arab and Muslim representation in the entertainment industry.

The partnership will present a series of panels, mixers and cultural events during festival week, with support from the Brown Girl Clubhouse, a community platform for South Asian women. Programming is designed to champion representation in film, television and media while creating spaces for connection and creative celebration.

Key events include a June 3 filmmakers event presented by the Arab Film and Media Institute at MadamJi, and a June 4 “Filmmakers & chai” gathering at the Brown Girl Clubhouse.

Industry talks will feature South Asian House founder and Box Office Guru Media’s Rohi Mirza Pandya, Academy member Hemal Trivedi, entertainment attorney Maaha Khan, Arab Film...

The South Asian House (Sah) initiative, which aims to highlight, recognize and appreciate South Asians in film and television, has unveiled its program for this year’s Tribeca Festival in New York.

For the centerpiece Build Bridges, Create Impact summit on June 12, Sah founders Monika Samtani and Rohi Mirza Pandya have partnered with Moxmo Media and Jayaram in collaboration with Facet, Walmart, and iHeartMedia. The afternoon will spotlight multiethnic talent and creative entrepreneurs with a focus on emerging leaders. Vivek Jayaram, founder of Jayaram Law, will lead the Script to Screen: How Do I Fund This Thing? session with filmmakers and funders, while Samtani will lead a discussion on supporting untapped talent.

The summit will conclude with an Art of Impact panel led by Mirza Pandya that will explore the balance filmmakers must strike to connect global audiences to their film’s participants and causes. The discussion will include a...

Events

After a successful launch at SXSW earlier this year, the South Asian House initiative, which aims to highlight, recognize and appreciate South Asians in film and television, is set to debut at the Tribeca Festival, New York, on June 16.

Brainchild of producers, curators and programmers Rohi Mirza Pandya (Box Office Guru Media and Desipina), Monika Samtani (Ms. Media and The Fem Word), Jitin Hingorani (Jingo Media and Dfw South Asian Film Festival) and Kirtana Banskota (Banskota Productions and Nepal America Film Society), the event will showcase programming focused on the funding, creation and distribution of South Asian stories for a global audience. The day will consist of two panel discussions focused on content creation in the diaspora and the Indian film industry and will be part of the AT&T Untold Stories Lounge at Spring Studios.

Hingorani and Mirza Pandya said: “Our filmmakers are making tremendous headway in Hollywood,...

Austin welcomes South Asian House, premiering for the first time ever at South By Southwest (SXSW) 2023.

South Asian House is an initiative that aims to connect a thriving community of thought leaders from various sectors in the business, tech, film, television, fashion, music and theater industries in seven different South Asian countries including Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Created in partnership with The Auntie Network, Tasveer, One Minute Saree, The Partnership Inc., URL Media, IndieMeme, and Sway with Pray, South Asian House will take place at Fourth & Co located at 208 West Fourth St. Unit D in Austin, Texas during the first weekend of SXSW on Saturday, March 11 from 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. and Sunday, March 12 from 11 a.m. – 2 a.m.

Featured speakers for the initiative include industry professionals from various sectors such as business, tech, film, TV, theater, music, and fashion. South Asian house will...

South Asian House has confirmed multiple acts for its inaugural partnership event with the South by Southwest Festival in March next year.

The two-day event is a unique cultural initiative from the seven countries of South Asia – India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives – as well as accomplished members of the diaspora.

It will include panel discussions, live music performances and an awards ceremony on Oscar Sunday, recognizing South Asian Trailblazers in Cinema. Activities will be held at Fourth and Co. in the iconic Warehouse District of downtown Austin, six blocks from SXSW event headquarters.

Panel sessions will span topics on women in film, business technology and climate change. Mentors and panelists already confirmed include actor Pooja Kuma, Milan Chakraborty, head of film at Marginal Mediaworks, and Falguni Lakhani Adams, executive producer at Vice Media.

Other Sah components include a ‘Reel Deal’ session, a comedy hour, industry leadership sessions,...

India’s first female comic book superhero, Priya, is gearing up to dive into a brand-new riveting adventure. The fourth edition of India’s pioneering comic book series, titled ‘Priya’s Mask’, tackles the unprecedented global Covid-19 pandemic that has challenged everyone in India and around the world. The comic book and film will be released worldwide on December 2, 2020 on multiple platforms.

Released as an augmented reality comic book, the installment is paired with an animated short film featuring the voices of feminist leaders from the U.S. and India, including icon Vidya Balan, Rosanna Arquette, Mrunal Thakur, and Sairah Kabir.

In an unprecedented and historic collaboration, the installment will present a debut alliance between two hugely successful female comic book superheroes from neighboring countries, with Priya collaborating with Pakistan’s female superhero, Burka Avenger in their fight against the deadly virus. “The virus does not understand or respect borders,...