When we speak of independent film makers, Hollywood comes to mind right away. My thoughts wander off to Sundance and Cannes Film Festivals (which I attended last year representing a major Hollywood Studio). Now, Cannes is coming up in May and although I am NOT scheduled to be there this year, I might just rely on my impulse to take over & find myself on Air France by the end of this week …. Of course my closest friends will NOT be surprised by that kinda move at all … However, I digress… So, I let my thoughts wander right back to NYC and the Tribeca Film Festival … They all share one thing in common… Indies… and they all of them festivals celebrate new talent very proudly!

Of course our Desi version, the NOT-much-hyped Goa Film Festival exists… but really… who has it helped and does it even help?? These are the Million dollar questions that have been left unanswered by this Billion dollar industry… I mean Bollywood may make the attempts to showcase Indie movie makers but there really wasn’t and isn’t too much out there in terms of distributing these products – WHICH is the whole POINT of moving-making in the first place!!

So, sticking to the point, distribution now has a new face…Wait no more because Bollyfolks in NORTH AMERICA (an d the world over including Desi land) have gotten together to create a platform for our very own Indies!! That’s right, what Mumbai couldn’t do, New Yorkers have done!

So here’s a new phrase for your Bollywood Dictionary: “Karavan Kollective”

WHAT:

Karavan Kollective - DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION NETWORK FOR SOUTH ASIAN INDIES.

WHERE:

The initiative was recently unveiled at Cain Lounge in New York City (Chelsea)

SPOTTED:

Mira Nair, Abhay Deol, Dev Benegal, Paul Knox of the “President is Coming” fame, Purva Bedi of the American Pie Fame (and may I add, Law & Order fame), Studio 18 Execs and numerous Indie Film Makers … who really looked like a bunch of kids in a candy store. And they ought to be!!!! This initiative is by far THE most encouraging platform for independent film makers in Bolly-HollyWood , my version of a fusion movie planet where Desi filmmakers produce content on non-desi shores!

MEDIA PARTNER:

AVS is the CHOSEN one !! Yes, in full attendance and an absolute impressive representation… AVS proudly attended this high profile event!

PLATFORMS

Amazon | Netflix | Reframe | Indiepix | Vista India |

MTV Iggy | AVS TV |

Other Featured Artists:

A silent auction featuring art works by celebrated Bangalore artist, Raghava KK, and up and coming jewelry designer, Riddhika Jesrani, commemorated the evening.

More about KK: FilmKaravan today announced the launch of Karavan Kollective, a digital distribution initiative that will make south-asian independent films available online through multiple platforms and portals. The Kollective is designed to promote wider distribution of films that have had limited play on the festival circuit or in theaters, and enables filmmakers to exploit their work on new channels while still retaining their rights. Karavan Kollective will acquire titles for distribution via online streaming, download-to-own, DVD, and a DVD-of-the-month subscription service. The Kollective will promote its releases through online marketing on individual portals and their mailing lists, monthly film screenings at a premiere venue in New York City, customized grass roots campaigns, and via their mainstream media partners, including AVS TV. Additional distribution and media partners will be added to the network on an ongoing basis. A DVD-of-the-month club will provide select titles on a subscription model.

Quote of The Day:
“What we’re witnessing through the Kollective is a film movement that will build audiences. Most people don’t have the access or stamina to watch 50 films a week at film festivals. We hope that the Kollective and film club will make it possible for them to enjoy a selection of quality films when, how and where they want,” said Pooja Kohli, co-Managing Director of FilmKaravan.

AVS Featured Flick:

I’d like to proudly announce that AVS will be supporting this initiative by showing independent films… I’m very excited about our very first: Mira Nair’s Migration

This short film deals with the AIDS Virus as the great class leveler in society by following its transmission through interweaving stories linking urban and rural India. Mira Nair’s last film, The Namesake, opened to rave reviews, and is currently the most successful art house release of 2007; She was nominated for an Oscar for her debut feature film, Salaam Bombay. Her 2001 film, Monsoon Wedding is still one of the highest grossing foreign films of all time.

Karavan Kollective

Pooja Kohli, Suri Gopalan Raju Sethi, Payal Sethi, Abhay Deol

Pooja Kohli, Mira Nair, Payal Sethi

Sherina Kapany & Purva Bedi

Abhay Deol & Guest

With Paul Knox

Behram Shahprast & Darshan Mehta

Karavan Kollective Organizers @ Cain, NYC

Dev Benegal & Behram Shahprast @ KK

Mira Nair @ KK

Event Sponsors, Cain NYC

Silent Auction @ KK

Lights, Camera, Masala!

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