IFFLA Industry Days

The first ever IFFLA Industry Day was a resounding success! Our exciting new initiative is a first-of-its-kind forum designed to bring together established executives from the Hollywood industry and South Asian filmmakers to exchange inspiring stories and ideas, gain mentorship, and build collaborations. Participating companies and organizations at IFFLA’s inaugural event included Warner Bros. Discovery, Disney, SagIndie, Netflix, Roadside Attractions, Sundance Institute, Film Independent, Macro, The Salon, ColorCreative, CAPE and more.

In 2025, IFFLA Industry Days is expanded to a two-day event, and is integrated with the festival taking place concurrently. The event includes masterclasses, panels, roundtable discussions, and a plethora of exciting educational and networking events.

The key event of IFFLA Industry Days is a dynamic pitch competition session in which 5 finalists–selected from this call for entries– will pitch their film or TV project to a panel of producers, writers and filmmakers, in front of a live audience attending the event. Participants will get immediate, constructive feedback on their projects and pitching skills, and will be eligible for a *$10,000 development grant* awarded to one of the finalists. All finalists will also receive a month of in-depth mentorship from Hollywood industry professionals to enhance their pitch and get their project ready to meet with investors, producers and agents during IFFLA Industry Days. To learn more about Launchpad: A Pitch Competition and to begin the application process, please visit our page on FilmFreeway.

Watch this space for more announcements coming soon – and relive IFFLA Industry Day 2024 below!

IFFLA Industry Day
Friday, June 28, 2024
Landmark Theatres Sunset

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
MOIRA SHOURIE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ZOCALO PUBLIC SQUARE

With a remarkable career spanning over three decades, Moira Shourie brings her unique insights and wealth of experience to inspire and enrich the understanding of the dynamic world of filmmaking. She is the executive director of Zócalo Public Square, a California-based unit of ASU Media Enterprise that aims to connect people and ideas by examining essential questions in an accessible and broad-minded spirit through public events and published opinion pieces. Moira’s career in media began as part of the startup team that launched Outlook, now one of India’s most widely read news magazines. She went on to be the first music programmer of MTV India.

PANEL: BREAKING THROUGH – STRATEGIES FROM SOUTH ASIAN CREATIVES
Hosted by Warner Bros. Discovery

Dive into the real-world journeys of trailblazing South Asian writers, directors, producers and actors who’ve navigated the highs and lows of the entertainment industry. This panel offers pragmatic insights on forging an enduring creative career, from getting noticed to adapting to shifts while staying authentic to your vision.  An unmissable masterclass for emerging and accomplished talents alike.

Moderator: Senain Kheshgi, Senior Programmer, Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles 

Panelists: 

• Nik Dodani, Actor (Atypical, Murphy Brown), Co-Founder, The Salon
• Geeta Malik, Writer and Director (India Sweets and Spices)
• Guneet Monga, Producer (The Elephant Whisperers, Kill)

An enlightening discussion with a panel of trailblazing South Asian creatives who have beaten the odds and gotten their stories told in this ever-changing climate. Attendees will gain valuable insights into questions such as – how to get your story noticed in a competitive space, how their work fits into that bigger picture, what the paths to success are available in an extremely competitive business, and how to remain true to your voice throughout the process.

Moderator: Priya Giri Desai, Producer, Prism Entertainment 

Panelists:

• Mridu Chandra, Producer (Becoming Cousteau, Cured)
• Kilian Kerwin, Executive, Jaya Entertainment (Delhi Crime, Crazy Rich Asians)
• Sanjay Patel, Animator (Ghee Happy, The Incredibles)
• Madhuri Shekhar, Playwright/Screenwriter (Evil Boy, Nice Indian Boy)
• Tarsem Singh, Director (Dear Jassi, The Cell, Immortals)

Meet the five finalists selected to present their project to a panel of distinguished, industry-expert judges in front of a live audience. The pitches will receive immediate feedback from the judge’s panel, and one winner will be awarded a $10,000 development grant presented by Joy of Sharing and Tarsadia Foundation. 

The winner will be announced at the closing reception of IFFLA Industry Day hosted by Warner Bros. Discovery. 

Meet the finalists and their projects! 
Click the image below.

The jury for the Pitch Competition includes:

• Mohammed Ali – Lit Manager, Authentic Talent and Literary Management
• Talha Asad – VP, Drama Programming, HBO
• Georgina Gonzalez – VP, Global Scripted Series, Universal International Studios
• Najeeb Khuda – Producer, Literary Manager, Co-Founder, Endless Media
• Smriti Mundhra – DGA-winning, Emmy®-nominated, and Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker (St. Louis Superman, Indian Matchmaking)

Learn more about the finalists and their projects!

At the Industry Roundtables, executives and representatives from top entertainment companies will meet with festival filmmakers and the five finalists of the pitch competition to talk about their companies, how they might intersect with South Asian artists, what they’re looking for, and how they see the industry shifting. Industry participants include CAPE, ColorCreative, Film Independent, Macro, M88, Roadside Attractions, Sundance Institute, Salon and Warner Bros. Discovery.

This event is open only to the IFFLA 2024 filmmakers and Pitch Competition finalists and will be followed by a lunch hosted by Disney. 

The day will wrap with a networking reception, hosted by Warner Bros. Discovery, and open only to Industry Day participants, executives and passholders. 

Limited Industry Day passes available. 

IFFLA Industry Day Sponsors: