Pooja Gupte studied cinematography from Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata, India. Pooja was selected as an Indian cinematographer in Berlinale Talent Campus 2012, Germany. She was also invited to present her work in Stuttgart, Germany as part of series Making of Indian Cinema at Stuttgart-Indian Film Festival 2019. Pooja has recently become a member of Imago’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Her first feature film as a Director of Photography “Crossing Bridges” won at 61st National award as best Sherdupen film which she also had produced under her production house Easel Films. She was awarded Best Cinematography for feature film “Rukh” in 5th AIFF 2018. Pooja was awarded best cinematography for the short film “Water Demon” at Feel the Reel International Film Festival 2021 Glasgow UK. Pooja is also a very active member of IWCC (Indian Women Cinematographers Collective).
Continue reading Pooja Gupte, Jury member for Best DOP at ImagineindiaAll posts by imagineindia
Jacques (Lysandre Leduc-Boudreau) Canada
Jacques
Lysandre Leduc-Boudreau
Canada. 2023. 90 min
For over forty years, Jacques Duhoux, expedition pioneer in northern Quebec, has lived alone in the Uapishka (Groulx) Mountains. Now at 85 years old, he continues to live off the grid, despite the inevitable decline that comes with age. A tribute to a true monument of northern exploration, Jacques exposes the delicate balance between nature, aging and the search for freedom.
Continue reading Jacques (Lysandre Leduc-Boudreau) CanadaMaría Zaragoza will be jury for short films at Imagineindia
María Zaragoza (Madrid, 1982)
In 2014 she participated in the feature film adaptation of her story Realidades de humo, which the director Joaquín O. Loustaunau directed in Mexico and premiered in 2016. She has written the scripts for A candidate for the end of the world (Margarita Xirgu Award for best script radio 2019, produced and broadcast by RNE in 2020: https://www.rtve.es/play/audios/ficcion-sonora/ficcion-sonora-candidato-para-fin-mundo-maria-zaragoza/5571447/), Mi Mama Me Mima (dir. Marc Romero, produced by The Pride of My House, in post-production), Agonía (dir. Eulàlia Ramon, produced by Atrece Creaciones, 2024), Perpetua Navidad Azul (dir. Marina Aparicio, Galatea Productions, in preparation ), has participated in the script and documentary work of the documentary I am Cloe, I exist (Long documentary produced by Globomundi and Atrece creations, dir. Fiorela Gianuzzi, to be released). She is currently immersed in several feature film and short film projects.
Eulalia Ramón incorporates to Imagineindia as Jury
Eulàlia Ramon is an actress, photographer and film director.
Currently, she is immersed in various projects, highlighting her work as a director. In 2023, he directed his first short film, Divine Accounts, written by María Zaragoza, which has achieved more than 80 festival selections, 18 awards and a nomination for the Goya Awards in the category of best fiction short film. In 2024, he presents Agonía, his second fiction short film, which premiered at the Closing of the International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia.
Continue reading Eulalia Ramón incorporates to Imagineindia as JuryAsh Valley: Janyl (Shu Zhu) Kyrgystan, Canada
Ash Valley: Janyl
Shu Zhu
Kyrgyztan, Canada. 2024. 18 min
Ash Valley: Janyl is about Janyl who investigates strange behavior in livestock near a large oil rig. Something feels wrong, but her superior asks her to stay out of the investigation for her own safety.
Continue reading Ash Valley: Janyl (Shu Zhu) Kyrgystan, CanadaDeal at the Border (Dastan Zhapar Ryskeldi) Kyrgyztan. Official Section
Deal at the Border
Dastan Zhapar Ryskeldi
Kyrgyztan. 2024. 104 min
At the Kyrgyzstan-Kazakhstan border, Aza and Samat work as members of a drug trafficking organization. One day, they run into Nazik, who has narrowly escaped from human traffickers. Aza decides to give up the drug money and save Nazik, but Nazik tragically dies while crossing a river. Aza is determined to at least return Nazik’s remains to her homeland, but his decision thrusts him into even greater danger. The border regions of Central Asian countries, that are located adjacent to Afghanistan where massive amounts of drugs are produced, are hotspots for drug trafficking and organized crime. As those desperate for survival struggle to maintain a shred of dignity, the camera frequently pulls back to capture the vast and indifferent mountainous landscapes of the borderlands. The film is genre-driven but is also captivating with its restrained dialogue and composed visuals.
Continue reading Deal at the Border (Dastan Zhapar Ryskeldi) Kyrgyztan. Official SectionA Piece of Meat (Varun Khettry) India
A Piece of Meat
Varun Khettry
India. 2023. 13 min
A Piece of Meat is a film which showcases the period of 3 generations – 80’s, 2000’s & 2024.
3 daughters of the same family lineage, born in these 3 different eras, carry forward a traditional family recipe of “Kosha Mangsho”. With carrying that recipe forward, they also carried forward few nuances of their mother’s with them, when the current generation’s teenage daughter asks a pertinent but a curiousity filled question, it makes the older generations (mothers) think to ponder about a lot.
Continue reading A Piece of Meat (Varun Khettry) IndiaAnn Hui gets the Lifetime Achievement Award at Imagineindia 2025
Ann Hui On-wah, is a film director, producer, screenwriter and actress from Hong Kong who is one of the most critically acclaimed filmmakers of the Hong Kong New Wave. She is known for her films about social issues in Hong Kong which include: literary adaptations, martial arts, semi-autobiographical works, women’s issues, social phenomena, political changes, and thrillers. She served as the president of the Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild from 2004 to 2006.
Continue reading Ann Hui gets the Lifetime Achievement Award at Imagineindia 2025Hidden Era (Carlos Vargas) Mozambique, Germany, Colombia
Hidden Era
Carlos Vargas
Mozambique, Germany, Colombia. 2024. 76 min
Feature narrative Era Oculta – “Hidden Era” unfolds in the vibrant city of Maputo, where Rastafari artist Phambi (28) grapples with securing his son’s education amidst the rhythmic beats of Mozambique. Perennially on the brink of expulsion due to payment delays, Phambi’s artistic journey becomes a compelling narrative, showcasing the challenges and triumphs of an artist navigating the unique landscape of Mozambique.
The film amidst the vibrant art scene, two young women, allies to Phambi, play a pivotal role in supporting his artistic endeavors. They willingly pose for him, adding depth and inspiration to his creations. Their presence in the film not only highlights the collaborative spirit within the artistic community but also brings a nuanced perspective to the narrative, reflecting the diverse voices that contribute to the cultural tapestry of Maputo.
Hanna Polak incorporates as Jury Member to Imagineindia
Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Hanna Polak studied acting and theatre at the Acting School in Wroclaw and Warsaw, Poland, and worked as a stage performer in the Theatre of Entertainment, Chorzow. She graduated with a Master Degree from the Cinematography division of the Cinematography Institute of the Russian Federation (VGIK), in Moscow, where she studied under Vadim Yusov, DOP of Andrei Tarkovsky. In 2003, Hanna was awarded Best Producer of Documentary Movies at the International Film Festival in Krakow for Railway Station Ballad. In 2004 Hanna completed her documentary film, The Children of Leningradsky, which was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Short Documentary subject. It also received the Best Documentary Achievement Award from the International Documentary Association and was nominated for an Emmy Award in two categories: Best Documentary and Outstanding Individual Achievement in a Craft: Editing. This film was also nominated as a Notable Video by the Adult American Library Association, and it received the Gracie Allen Award, given by American Women in Radio & Television, amongst many other
awards.