Explore the jury and audience award winners from the 2025 Indie Meme Film Festival. IMFF 2025 Awards Jury Awards Best Narrative Feature Jurors: Chelsea Hernandez, Bryan Poyser, Celeste Quesada Little Jaffna dir. Lawrence Valin LITTLE JAFFNA is a film that plunges the viewer and its conflicted protagonist into a tight-knit community of immigrants, sharing a complex story of the preservation of culture, even if it means breaking the law. With kinetic camerawork and stunning performances from its cast, LITTLE JAFFNA is a thrilling, thought-provoking and unforgettable experience. Narrative Feature: Special Mention Jurors: Chelsea Hernandez, Bryan Poyser, Celeste Quesada Puratawn (The Ancient) dir. Suman Ghosh PURATAWN (THE ANCIENT) is set against the backdrop of stunning interior environments, this film weaves a multi-dimensional story of loss, aging, and acceptance while evoking powerful and lasting emotions. The jury found PURATAWN (THE ANCIENT) especially deserving of recognition for its portrayal of how the passage of time can be profoundly transformative. Best Documentary Jurors: Khaula Malik, Tim Tsai Agent of Happiness dir. Arun Bhattarai & Dorrotya Zurbó Following two government workers in Bhutan as they travel the country conducting "happiness" surveys, AGENT OF HAPPINNESS captured our hearts through its balance of humor and poignancy. Filmmakers Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó have crafted a tender and visually stunning film that asks us to interrogate our own ideas of happiness and purpose. Documentary: Special Mention Jurors: Khaula Malik, Tim Tsai And, Towards Happy Alleys dir. Sreemoyee Singh Drawn by its cinema and the words of late feminist poet Forough Farrokhzad, an Indian filmmaker embarks on a quest to understand Iran through its filmmakers and activists. In a series of candid conversations and moments of human connection, Sreemoyee Singh’s AND, TOWARDS HAPPY ALLEYS earnestly explores the politics of expressing your voice in a repressive society, and reminds us of what is possible when you turn on a camera and aren’t afraid to ask questions, listen, and sing. Best Short Jurors: Miriam Chandy Menacherry, Jordan Levin, Brad Limov, Jenny Nulf Virundhu (The Feast) dir. Rishi Chandna VIRUNDHU (THE FEAST) tackles the global issue of environmental devastation at a hyper local, tangible level with adept humor and masterful tension. Using the sensory language of preparing and enjoying a meal unique to a village's cuisine, Director Rishi Chandna deconstructs the politics of access to uncontaminated food. The blunt, intimate dynamic between a fearless mother and a local politician from the village sets the stage for a direct social critique without becoming overly didactic. The labor, care, and history revealed through food fuel reconnection to place, community, and humanity. Short: Special Mention (Narrative) Jurors: Miriam Chandy Menacherry, Jordan Levin, Brad Limov, Jenny Nulf Chashma dir. Nitin Baid CHASHMA is a tender coming of age story of an impressionable young boy as his world comes into discerning focus. Lovingly told through an artful cinematic lens, the director takes on literal difficulty with seeing to weave a subtle commentary on adolescence, class, religious conflict, and family tensions. Featuring strong performances and a thoroughly immersive sense of place, this engaging narrative is clear-sighted and heartfelt, building towards a percipient resolution. Short: Special Mention (Cinematic) Jurors: Miriam Chandy Menacherry, Jordan Levin, Brad Limov, Jenny Nulf Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know dir. Chidananda Naik SUNFLOWERS WERE THE FIRST ONES TO KNOW is a thought provoking film with a dystopian premise. It wears its influences on its sleeve and yet retains a unique voice with painterly frames. Director Chidananda S. Naik's use of low light leaves much to the imagination in creating an immersive experience. The film is so mature in its portrayal, we were astonished to realize this is a student film. Audience Choice Awards Best Narrative Feature Boong dir. Lakshmipriya Devi Best Documentary Agent of Happiness dir. Arun Bhattarai & Dorrotya Zurbó Best Short The First Film dir. Piyush Thakur Best Short Smoke Cheyyaku Bro (Don't Smoke Bro) dir. Prithvi Raj Karreddula

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Amid the backdrop of the Kashmiri conflict, a young woman must come to grips with the disappearance of her doting husband and embarks on harrowing journey of self-discovery. Half Widow 4/27/2019 | 12:45 - 2:45 pm This feature will be preceded by a short film - YASMINA ATTEND SYNOPSIS Amid the backdrop of the Kashmiri conflict, a young woman must come to grips with the disappearance of her doting husband and embarks on harrowing journey of self-discovery. A young Kashmiri woman, Neela is enjoying her new marriage. Her doting husband Khalid has welcomed her little brother Zakir into their home. But outside their walls, the Kargil War of 1999 rages, and suddenly Khalid is kidnapped by paramilitary forces in the middle of the night. So begins Neela's journey as a half-widow, held in limbo without her husband and unable to start a new life. The search for Khalid consumes her. Times passes, as does the war, and yet still Neela learns nothing. Her sorrow becomes a shackle and apathy for life settles in. Neela's sense of self is all but lost, consumed with the fact she is without her husband, a man she loved. But after Zakir is arrested defending her from police, a new light of hope flickers as she recognizes the importance of family sacrifice, igniting inside her a new quest for meaning and fulfillment. TRAILER DIRECTOR'S PROFILE Danish Renzu - A native of Kashmir and alumnus of UCLA, film director Danish Renzu hopes to inspire a new generation of Kashmiri filmmakers to practice their art as a force for unity in the conflicted region. He has directed several short films including award winning "In Search of America, Inshallah" (2014). His first film “Half Widow” (2017) showcases the plight of a Kashmiri half widow and received rave reviews worldwide premiering at Seattle International Film Festival. “The Illegal” (2018) stars Academy winning “Life of Pi” star Suraj Sharma in the lead explores a journey of an immigrant in Los Angeles and his journey towards the American dream. His next film “Pashmina”, set for release next year and telling the tales of several Kashmiri lives upended by decades of strife. The film comprises of a stellar cast and crew. He is also working on a musical Songs of Paradise set in Kashmir reviving music and art in Kashmir. He opened his own home production in Kashmir with a goal of reviving cinema back in the valley encouraging youth and local talent to pursue their dreams, also bring the lost culture, music and traditions of Kashmir to a worldwide audience. CREDITS Crew: Director/Producer/Writer: DANISH RENZU Producer/Writer: GAYA BHOLA Co-Producer(s): VIJAY BHOLA, RHONDA LEAL, FARZANA ALI, FAROOQ RENZU SHAH, & HEIDI BASCH HAROD Creative Producer(s): SUNAYANA KACHROO Executive Producer(s): NAHIDA NAZIR, VIJAY BHOLA, CORINE ARZOOMANIAN, RICHARD FRIEDMAN, J. VICTOR, SARWAN WASON, UMA WASON & SHAFAT QAZI Line Production Company: Renzu Films Cinematographer: ANTONIO CISNEROS Music: ALOKANANDA DASGUPTA Sound Design: AVINASH SONAWANE Playback singer(s): SONU NIGAM, DALIP LANGOO, NOOR MOHAMMAD & MAHMEET SYED Editor: NITIN BAID Dialogues, Poetry & Lyrics: SUNAYANA KACHROO Colorist: ROBERT CURREIRI Music on: Zee Music Company Production Companies: Renzu Films Gaya Art Films, LLC Rock On Motion Pictures Zee Music Company Instagram handle: @Halfwidow Facebook: www.facebook.com/halfwidow Cast: NEELOFAR HAMID (Neela) SHAHNAWAZ BHAT (Zakir) MIR SARWAR (Khalid) HASEENA SOFI (Khaala) YASMEENA WANI (Zynab) AYAAN SIKANDER (Faizan) YOUSUF SHAHNAZ (Bakarwaal) RHONDA LEAL (Eva) AWARDS Audience Choice Best Feature Film at SAIFF Best Director, Dada Sahab Phalke Film Festival 2018 Best Director, NJIFF Best Film, NJIFF In Competition at Asia Pacific Star Awards, Australia Best Actress, Best Cinematographer, Best Film Nomination, Boston India & International Film Festival Best Director Rising Star, DCSAFF, Washington DC Best Cinematographer Antonio Cisneros, Boston India & International Film Festival Best Feature Film, Vancouver South Asian International Film Festival Best Actress, Caleidoscope International Film Festival Rhode Island Movie STILLS HALF WIDOW_still_Neela pic HALF WIDOW_still_8 HALF WIDOW_still_4 HALF WIDOW_still_6 COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Thank you to our 2021 jurors for the narrative feature, documentary, and shorts programs! Award winners will be announced at the end of this festival this April. JURY & AWARDS CLOSING NIGHT - AWARDS CEREMONY On Sunday April 25th, come celebrate the films & filmmakers of the IMFF 2021 program with our closing night awards ceremony - streaming LIVE from our virtual village on FILMOCRACY. Award winners will be announced, closing remarks will be shared, and fun will be had - hosted by the brilliant Indian writer, film critic, video content creator and former radio jockey - Sucharita Tyagi. JURY AWARD WINNER - NARRATIVE FEATURE NASIR (dir. Arun Karthick) - Best narrative feature Nasir India I 80 mins I 2020 I Tamil w/ English subtitles Nasir is a wryly funny, romantic family man going about the daily errands of his job as a salesman. As the day unfolds, his course will be altered by an act of communal bigotry. SEVEN AND A HALF (dir. NAvid MAHMOUD) - Honorable Mention Seven and a Half Iran I 75 mins I 2019 I Persian w/ English subtitles The tales of 7 Iranian & Afghani girls, told in seven episodes. The stories deal with overlapping issues of marriage, violence, and the loss of control over one's own destiny. AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER - NARRATIVE FEATURE ZINDAGI TAMASHA (dir. Sarmad Khoosat) - audience Choice Zindagi Tamasha Pakistan I 138 mins I 2019 I Urdu w/ English subtitles A devout Muslim man's life is turned into a public circus when an exposé from his private life becomes an internet sensation, calling into question his piety, respect, & sexuality. Narrative Features: Jury Members LARA MORGAN Lara is an Austin-based filmmaker and film fan. During her time working at the Austin Film Society, she worked with festivals such as Indie Meme, Austin Asian American Film Festival, Cine Las Americas, and Austin Polish Film Festival. She has worked with SXSW over the years in several different capacities: as a QC team member, a projectionist, and as a film screener. In addition to exhibiting film, she has worked on Austin projects such as NO NO: A DOCKUMENTARY, which premiered at Sundance, ALSO STARRING AUSTIN, which played at Austin Film Festival and Dallas International Film Festival, and most recently Richard Linklater’s APOLLO 10 1/2, which is currently in post-production. CHITHRA JEYARAM Chithra makes intimate documentaries about identity, human relationships, race, art, and health. A failed attempt to fund a film in India led her to quit a decade-long career as a Physical Therapist and get an MFA in film. Her work is supported by BGDM Sustainability Grant, Jerome Foundation, Center for Asian American Media, NY Council for the Arts, American Institute for Indian Studies, & more, and is pitched at competitive events like IFP and Sheffield. In the near future, she hopes to direct narrative features & fantastical episodic content. She is an avid runner and has completed 14 marathons. Food is her first love. Her current documentary project, OUR DAUGHTERS, provides a rare look at adoption through an immigrant lens. When a South Asian woman desperate for motherhood and a white woman seeking a home for her twins cross paths unexpectedly, both take risks and make surprising choices for their daughters. BIJAN TEHRANI Bijan Tehrani is president and founder of Cinema Without Borders Foundation and Editor in Chief of Cinema Without Borders & CineEqul, two online publications dedicated to international and social justice cinema. Bijan has been an award-winning writer and film director that has also received multiple awards for his services for promoting international cinema in the US and around the globe. During the last half of the century Bijan has been a member of numerous international film festivals. He has also organized several film festivals and recently he has been the Director of ELAC International Animation Day Festival, that in April 2021 will hold its 7th edition. Bijan also founded Bridging The Borders Award fourteen years ago, that has been given to a film that helps to bring people of the world closer together, in eight festivals around the world. Jury AWARD WINNERS - DOCUMENTARY SHUT UP SONA (dir. Deepti Gupta) - BEST documentary feature Shut Up Sona India I 85 mins I 2019 I Hindi, English, Oriya w/ English subtitles A sharp, tongue-in-cheek documentary following a rebellious female singer as she fights for space in modern day India, a country deeply uncomfortable with her emancipation. Documentary ProGRAM: Jury Members MARISA MIRABAL Marisa Mirabal is a native Texan with a passion for film and business. She applies her love for local business and free press by working full-time as an advertising account executive at The Austin Chronicle . She is also a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic providing festival coverage during Fantastic Fest, SXSW, Austin Film Festival, MondoCon, and Texas Frightmare Weekend. Her film analysis is geared towards amplifying marginalized voices, maverick filmmaking techniques and the exploration of taboo subject matter through thematic storytelling. Marisa's work has been published by Birth.Movies.Death. , /Film , Collider, The Austin Chronicle, Eater Austin , and Fangoria. She served on the Documentary Jury for the Austin Asian American Film Festival and became a board member for Women in Film and Television International's Austin chapter in 2019. The next year, Marisa was inducted into the Austin Film Critics Association. She also spends time as a co-host on Black Magic Coven , an all-female podcast that covers genre films, folklore, and true crime. KAREN KOCHER Karen Kocher is a documentary media producer and the creator of Living Springs a multi-platform documentary series chronicling the history, science, and culture of Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer. Living Springs’ home base is the interactive theater at the Beverly S. Sheffield Education Center. The series has been viewed by more than 30,000 households on KLRU & can also be seen on its dedicated website . In 2020 Karen was awarded the “Art in Service of the Environment” award from the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club. Her new, interactive exhibit, Barton Creek Time Stream, opens at the Beverly Center in Fall 2021. Her most recent film, Origins of a Green Identity , explores the rise of Austin’s environmental ethic from 1950-1970. In 2006, Kocher completed Austin Past and Present, Austin’s first interactive digital history, which was housed in kiosks across the city and integrated into seven grade levels in the Independent School District. All funds from the sales of the DVD-ROM were donated to the Austin History Center Association. The project was honored with the Katherine Drake Hart award from the Austin History Center Association. Karen is an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Texas at Austin in the Department of Radio-TV-Film where she has taught since 1998. JURY AWARD WINNERS - SHORT FILM LAALI (dir. Abhiroop Basu) - Best SHORT FILM TIFFIN (DIR. Talat Shakeel) - Honourable mention Laali India I 35 mins I 2020 I Hindi w/ English subtitles A lonely laundryman from the suburbs of Calcutta finds unexpected companionship in an unclaimed red dress, which triggers esoteric memories from the past. Tiffin India I 15 mins I 2019 I Hindi w/ English subtitles A young, Muslim girl thinks she has a strong friend group, but finds that at lunch they'll share food with anyone but her. When a prankster steals everyone's food, can she turn it into an opportunity? AUDIENCE AWARD WINNER - SHORTS PROGRAM NOOREH (dir. Ashish Pandey) - audience Choice - Short Film Nooreh India I 22 mins I 2019 I Dogri w/ English subtitles An eight year old Kashmiri girl, Nooreh, residing in a small village on the India-Pakistan border, believes that she has discovered a strange solution to end the relentless cross firing. Shorts Program: Jury Members JING YANG Jing Yang is a film director and film festival programmer. Jing received her MFA in film production at The University of Texas at Austin. Her documentary and narrative short films have screened and won awards at a number of festivals, including Austin Film Festival, Lone Star Film Festival, Sarasota Film Festival, DC Chinese Film Festival, Chick Flicks Festival, etc. Her short comedy MY SUPER VALENTINE (2013) was screened in the US and Europe as an official selection for Women in Film and TV International Showcase. Jing was a key member of the team that revived Austin Asian American Film Festival (AAAFF) in 2014, and has served as a programmer focusing on documentary feature films and served as the festival director from 2018 to 2019. CHAYA RAO Chaya Rao is a multi-faceted personality. She is a a long time film buff, critic and reviewer. Chaya Rao is also a documentary film maker and has created an acclaimed Travel & Food series on India called Masala Yatra and she has a great fan following. She has been the creator of several theater and stage productions. She is also a music, culture food, & travel enthusiast and has made several short films/videos on these topics. Chaya is fluent in many languages and has vast exposure to world films and various genres. Her articulation (in speaking & writing) on all these subjects is intellectual, engaging and fun! ANANTH AGASTYA Ananth Agastya, based out of Dallas, Texas, is an avid lover of cinema. He immersed himself in filmmaking after one-on-one writing tutorials from an Oscar winner. By collaborating with artists from various disciplines and backgrounds, Ananth hopes to work on all genres of film to bring to light, matters that are rarely a part of our current discourse.For his debut effort, Ananth created a short war film, set in an unknown enemy land. Ananth found the collaborative journey of filmmaking thrilling and gratifying, and hopes the audience find the short film engaging. Ananth continues to develop entertaining yet provocative projects while working as a full-time IT Team Lead at a Fortune 10 company.

Donate today to help Indie Meme bring cultural films to Austin Texas and enrich the city's cultaral heritage. Our mission is to bridge the social and cultural awareness between local communities and South Asia & Iran through independent cinema from South Asia. Donate As a 501(c)(3), we operate thanks to supporters like you. Here's what your donation does: Brings the best of South Asian cinema to Texas Supports independent filmmakers Funds the Indie Meme Film Festival Allows us to have year-round screenings Promotes cultural awareness Indie Meme is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your donation may be tax-deductible, depending on your individual tax circumstances. Please consult your tax advisor. DONATE Checks can be sent to 1101 W 35th #113 Austin, TX 78705 Support Indie Meme and help change the way people see the world through South Asian + Iranian films. Become a Leadership Circle Member! Receive wonderful benefits by donating a Leadership Circle gift. Download Info Packet Producers Guild Donor 5,000 $ Every year Contact for Purchase Up to 6 Platinum Badges for IMFF 6 complimentary tickets for single screenings Discounted All-Access Festival Badges 20% off in-person screening & event tickets Socials/mixers to build our Meme-er community Additional discounted tickets/badges to bring friends and family Directors Guild Donor 3,000 $ Every year Contact for Purchase Up to 4 Platinum Badges for IMFF 4 complimentary tickets for single screenings Discounted All-Access Festival Badges 20% off in-person screening & event tickets Socials/mixers to build our Meme-er community Additional discounted tickets/badges to bring friends and family Writers Guild Donor $ 2,000 2,000$ Valid for one year Buy Now Up to 3 Platinum Badges for IMFF 4 Complimentary Tickets For Single Screenings Discounted All-Access Festival Badge 20% off in-person screening & event tickets Socials/Mixers to build our Meme-er community Additional discounted tickets/badges to bring friends/family Lead Cast Donor $ 1,000 1,000$ Valid for one year Buy Now Up to 2 Platinum Badges for IMFF 2 Complimentary Tickets For Single Screenings Discounted All-Access Festival Badge 20% off in-person screening & event tickets Socials/Mixers to build our Meme-er community Additional discounted tickets/badges to bring friends/family Supporting Cast Donor $ 500 500$ Valid for one year Buy Now 1 Platinum Badge For IMFF 2 Complimentary Tickets for Single Screenings Discounted All-Access Festival Badge 20% off in-person screening & event tickets Socials/Mixers to build our Meme-er community Additional discounted tickets/badges to bring friends/family Join Our Leadership Circle OUR 2026 MEMBERS Benefits

12-year-old Karan discovers a time-machine in his bathtub. Glitch India | 13 MIN. 54 SEC. |Hindi Virtual IMFF 2020 Screening Details: Saturday, May 2 2020 | Screening : 9.45pm - 11.00pm SYNOPSIS 12-year-old Karan returns home to finds his shower has run dry. As Karan turns the shower tap full to either side, he discovers that with each full turn, time turns back. Karan is at first confused, but then decides to use the glitch in time to diffuse a domestic quarrel between his parents over a lost diamond ring. He travels back in time to the previous night a few times. But each time his attempt to salvage the situation fails. During one such attempt, the domestic help even ends up dead. Finally, Karan’s shower sprouts water and his attempts are over. Karan exits his room drenched in water. He presents his mother with her lost ring. DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT Shubham Yogi Shubham Yogi is the director of Glitch. He has worked as a writer, director and assistant director. STILLS SLIDE DECK 1/2

An immersive documentary shot in the heart of Cox's Bazaar in Bangladesh, BANGLA SURF GIRLS follows three young girls who Back to Film Program $15 TICKETS ($12 for members) Streaming April 22-25 Southwest Premiere Not Today India I 92 mins I Drama I 2021 Hindi w/ English subtitles BUY & WATCH ONLINE Winner of the FIPRESCI International Critics Award and Best Asian Film at the Bengaluru International Film Festival Aliah Rupawala, a 24 year old Bohri Muslim girl from a traditional family, secretly becomes a Suicide Prevention Counsellor. On her first day she encounters a challenging caller - a 52 year old man about to jump from the terrace of a high-rise. As she tries to bring him down, she is forced to confront the buried story of why chose to became a Counsellor. She begins to release the loneliness and grief in herself in order to do the same for the caller. Over the course of this evening, she may be able to heal not only her own heart, but also the heart of the man who has called. "gripping, insightful, and poignant... a must watch." - Shonali Bose, Director of Margarita with a Straw "offers a warm shoulder to lean upon." - Vishal Furia About the Artist Writer/ Director, Aditya Kripalani is a script- writing graduate from the Film and Television Institute of India. He's been credited as script consultant on multiple award-winning films including Jogwa and Tahaan, which won the 'High Commendation' in the Children's Feature Film section at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards, the UNICEF Award at Olympia Int'l Film Festival for Children and Young People & many more. He is also the author of 3 bestselling novels, "Back Seat‟, "Front Seat‟ and "Tikli and Laxmi Bomb‟. His third novel, became his first feature film - winning 'Best Film' at the Berlin Independent Film Festival and the 'Gender Equality' award at the UK Asian Film Festival, among other prizes. . Aditya's third feature, Devi Aur Hero‟ (The Goddess and the Hero) won 'Best Film' in the NETPAC Category at the Kolkata International Film Festival, 2019. Aditya has also been a writer and creative director in advertising in India, Singapore & Malaysia with wins at Cannes, the Korean AdStars and the Malaysian Kancil awards over the years. Trailer Thank you to our community partners for this screening!

Explore the jury and audience award winners from the 2024 Indie Meme Film Festival. IMFF 2024 Awards The 9th Indie Meme Film Festival comes to Austin in-person from April 17 - 21, 2024 and is held at the Austin Film Society Cinema. Indie Meme Film Festival awards are announced during the Closing Night Party. Most films which were selected for In-Theater exhibition or for Virtual Festival are eligible for both Jury Awards and Audience Choice Awards in their own respective categories. Jury Awards Best Narrative Feature Jurors: Neeraja Rao, Tania Romero, Kamal Khan, Christian Raymond Sthal dir. Jayant Somalkar The film is a powerful social commentary on patriarchy, gender bias, social inequality, and Colorism. What stood out for the jury was the beautiful use of all the navraas or 9 emotions —laughter (hasya), love (shringar), fear (bhayanaka), anger (raudra), courage (vira), sadness (karuna), amazement (adbhuta), disgust (vibhatsya) and calmness (shanti). There was a certain musicality and pace in the entire film, with a strong use of sound to support the compelling story. There were also Natural Performances by non-actors, with realistic treatment and a fine eye for smaller details blending in without being didactic. Even when you know what the next plot point is and you wait for a rebellion, you’re taken aback by the suddenness of the climax. All in all, we loved the film's message: BE EDUCATED BE ORGANISED & BE AGITATED. The jury’s favorite is a Film that’s a slap in the face of society: Jayant Digambar Somalkar’s STHAL! Narrative Feature: Special Mention Jurors: Neeraja Rao, Tania Romero, Kamal Khan, Christian Raymond Mithya dir. Sumanth Bhat The film is a riveting exploration of grief with nuanced performances from young actors, fascinating character study, unpredictable expectation defying plot turns, and a heart-wrenching, "edge of your seat" finale. A Special Jury Mention is awarded for the poignant coming-of-age story about loss and displacement. This movie had heart-wrenching, real raw performances that tugged your heart. We were fascinated by the character arcs and the treatment. The film has weaves many parallel storylines that gradually reveal themselves, but it is left up to the audience to explore, as the Director keeps the focus firmly on the protagonist's private world. We loved how the director slowly starts building up the mood to something sinister, leading to the edge-of-the-seat finale. The jury is still trying to figure out how the director and the young actors could pull off an end scene that's heartbreaking and powerful! Best Documentary Jurors: Syed Akbar Hyder, Mike Blizzard Against the Tide dir. Sarvnik Kaur AGAINST THE TIDE is a beautifully shot documentary, acutely sensitive to colors as they spring from the spectacular landscape. The colors themselves tell such a poignant story. The film itself plays like a narrative, with incredibly intimate access to the family, as the members struggle with the pressures of overfishing, climate change, pollution, health care, and balancing traditions with the pressures of the modern world. The film's characters will linger in your mind for a long time afterwards, and you may find yourself wanting a follow-up, to show where they are today. Truly a groundbreaking, must-see documentary film. Best Debut Jurors: Jake Martinez, Sweta Rajesh In Flames dir. Zarrar Kahn IN FLAMES is a film that contextually has never been made before. Perhaps due to societal implications, perhaps because our world was simply not ready for it. This film is a deep exploration of the gender, cultural, and spiritual dynamics of the Arab world. However, the overall message is universal. Strong depictions of trauma, grief, and the subsequently afflicted personal hells through virulent yet beautiful camera work and audio engineering placed us vividly close to the characters and the circumstances they inhabited. We were kept engaged, moved, scared, and many times at the edge of our seats, all the while being provoked into many avenues of thought and mind as to what the characters experienced, and what we ourselves have experienced. IN FLAMES will evoke this even further in new audiences around the world, and we are excited to witness it happen. Best Short Jurors: Vanessa Uhlig, Alex Salahi, Lila Mali, Gabriel Ornelas Last Days of Summer dir. Stenzin Tankong LAST DAYS OF SUMMER is a testament to the power of using tight and efficient storytelling to craft a story of momentous scale. Fresh dialogue, nuanced performances, and breathtaking cinematography unexpectedly give way to haunting final moments. There is a quiet control over the central dramatic question, as we learn along with the brothers at the heart of the film the truth behind the mysterious sounds they hear. All of this plays out with careful, rich sound design that meets the majesty of the Himalayan landscape. Weaving talk of folklore and ghosts with modern environmental crises, the film’s message of a rural village losing its way of life, and our dependence on one another, slices like a shard of cleaving ice. Audience Choice Awards Best Narrative Feature Footprints on Water dir. Nathalia Syam Best Documentary Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam dir. Anand Patwardhan Best Short Places I've Called My Own dir. Sushma Khadepaun

Seen through the eyes of a young boy, Fade is a walk down memory lane of life before the war. Fade Iran / Short film / 3min / Silent 4/28/2019 | 4:45 pm This short film will be screened prior to JIRGA ATTEND SYNOPSIS Seen through the eyes of a young boy, Fade is a walk down memory lane of life before the war. DIRECTOR BIO Mahboobe Tamaskani is a award winning short film director. Her short films have received the Diamond Film Award in 2018, and have been official selections at Lift Off Network 2019, Toaba Youth International 2019, and In Short Film Festival 2018.

Romi is an idealistic, uninspired musician. Alia is a vocal social activist. A conversation between them about the world they inhabit shows the power of union between two who are worlds apart. Hangout India | 11 MIN. 43 SEC. |Hindi, English Subtitles Virtual Screening Details: "Shorts Showcase" Sunday, Nov 8 2020 | Screening : 7.00pm Register SYNOPSIS Hangout is an ode to human relationships. What started as a passing musing turned into a powerful short film with a simple message for all of us. Romi is an idealistic, uninspired musician. Alia is a vocal social activist. A conversation between them about the world they inhabit inspires Romi to write a song. The film shows the power of union between two who are worlds apart. DIRECTOR'S BIO Kabeer Khurana Kabeer Khurana is a 9-time international award-winning filmmaker and the co-founder of India's youngest publishing venture, Bombaykala Books. Apart from winning awards in Italy, USA and Ukraine, his films have received several festival selections internationally, including the Global University Film Awards, and have been screened at other festivals in Brazil, Prague, Singapore, Indonesia, Morocco, Croatia, etc. His recent short film, Karma Cafe, starring Amole Gupte (Taare Zameen Par, Stanley ka Dabba) and produced by Anjum Rizvi (producer of A Wednesday). His film Dali won the highest honour Audience Choice Award at the Flatlands Dance Film Festival in Illinois (USA) and Hangout (2020) was released on Disney+ Hotstar. Apart from direction, he has also assisted on Ghost Stories (2020) for Netflix, directed by Zoya Akhtar, and T for Taj Mahal (TBD). He's also the founder of several youth-based social organizations like Navrang (Ashoka University's film society), Artyculate India and The Mumbai Art Collective, for which he was featured on the cover story of India Today. Kabeer has been featured in The Hindu, Scroll, Mid-day, Harper's Bazaar, TOI, Film Companion, DNA, Firstpost, Bombay Review, Mumbai Mirror, etc. for his work in social entrepreneurship and filmmaking. Kabeer is also a part-time graphic designer, illustrator and writer on film theory. STILLS SLIDE DECK 1/3

The 2018 Indie Meme Film Festival is right around the corner! Get your tickets today! April 19-22nd. Quick links: Non-Member Tickets Senior/Student Tickets Member Badges/Tickets What does the All Inclusive MEMBER Festival Badge include? All film Screenings over the 4 days Family & Friends Night on April 19th Opening & Closing night parties Red Carpet event Exclusive, invite-only "Meet the Maker" Mixer I bought the badge/band/ticket. What next? Badges and bands will be available for pick up at the IMFF Registration desk at the theater starting at 5:00 pm on April 19, 2018 If you purchase tickets to individual screenings, we will have your name on the list of attendees All-inclusive Badges are sold out!! LIMITED FESTIVAL WRIST BANDS STILL AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERS ONLY (Parties not included with BAND purchase) I ndividual film tickets available (except for TURUP) / DHH - tickets for the free family film will be now given away at the theater against no shows. Please be there by 9:30am for a possible spot. PLEASE CHECK FINAL SCHEDULE FOR ALL INDIVIDUAL SCREENINGS HERE Problems loading the Ticket widget? Click here SCHEDULE FILMS ATTEND YOUTH SPONSORS ABOUT PRESS Presented by IndieMeme.org Follow event on Facebook

Goopi & Bagha are two wise fools, one lives to sing and the other to play the drum. Despite their acute ineptness, their passion for music knows no bounds. Top of Page Tickets Top of Page Tickets Goopi Gawaiyya Bagha Bajaiyya Animated.Hindi with English subtitles. 78 minutes SYNOPSIS Goopi & Bagha are two wise fools, one lives to sing and the other to play the drum. Despite their acute ineptness, their passion for music knows no bounds. When the villagers cannot bear to listen to them anymore, both are banished to the same forest. Here, Goopi & Bagha encounter each other and their fates become entwined for life. A strong and immediate bond is forged by the two hapless souls, both in search of connoisseurs of their musical craft. They sing and play together to celebrate their newfound friendship only to be surrounded by melancholic ghosts who they manage to enchant with their peculiar musical talent. As a gift, they acquire four boons from the king of ghosts, using these they can always be well fed, transport themselves anywhere in an instant and mesmerize anyone with their music, albeit only together and in ‘jugalbandi’. One boon is still owed to them, this would be granted by the ghost king when they need to use it. And thus begins the extraordinary adventure of Goopi & Bagha... Saturday Sept 19, 2015 | 2:30pm Southwest Theaters - Lake Creek 13729 Research Blvd #1500, Austin, Texas 78750 Follow event on Facebook Interested in screening this in your hometown? Write to us TICKETS UNAVAILABLE Tickets TRAILER Listen to Tripti Bhatnagar talk about "The World of Goopi and Bagha" on Radio Azad DIRECTOR'S PROFILE Shilpa Ranade is an associate professor at the Industrial Design Center at IIT Mumbai. She did her M.Phil at the Royal College of Art in London. She has been a lecturer in the Audio Visual Unit at the Tata Institute of Social Science. There she was involved in the making of educational videos on social issues and teaching communication through graphic design to students of social sciences. DIRECTOR'S NOTE I first encountered Goopi Gayne Bagha Bayne in the form of Ray’s classic film from the 60’s. This enduring film had a timeless charm that drew me to watch it repeatedly over the years. The film was based on the original writing by his grandfather Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury and has seen countless retellings and versions; several of these were brilliantly illustrate bringing the story immediately to life. The story was thus embedded in my mind as a jigsaw of the many images associated with it, each equally powerful and evocative. My work as a book illustrator brought me a version of this classic to illustrate. As exciting as the prospect of doing this was, it seemed equally daunting. It was almost impossible to come close to the absolute magic of the imagery that came with the story. Yet along the way the intimidating prospect of re visualizing and retelling a classic turned into an exciting engagement with what my own interpretation of the story was. While illustrating the book the thought crossed my mind that the story was given to the moving image and could be transformed into a wonderful animated film, it was an idea story with its delightful everyday characters mixed with high fantasy, traversing a path full of exhilarating adventure. The images for the book came from a legacy of old woodcuts and printmaking, these were intense and dark. For the film they underwent yet another transformation and took on a quirky, twisted, feel, creating a world that is peopled with idiosyncratic characters in equally improbable settings. The story recalls the original but builds around its skeleton with many new details unfolding layer by layer, spring boarding and spiraling skyward from the narrative where our two blundering yet lovable musician protagonists meet ghosts, obtain boons, avert, wars, marry princesses and help the common people live happily ever after. FESTIVALS Toronto International Film Festival - 2013 Bhusan International Film Festival - 2013 Asia Pacific Screen Awards - 2014 18 Golden Elephant- ICFFI - 2013 Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) - 2013 Dubai Film Festival - 2013 ASIFA ( International Animated Film Association). - 2014 Best Animation Film - FICCI -2014 CMS International Children’s Film Festival – April 2014 , India Chicago International Movies and Music Festival, USA – May - 2014 London Indian Film Festival – July 2014 Stuttgart Indian Film Festival – July 2014 Trinidad + Tabago Film Festival, Spain -2014 Lucas International Kids Film Festival -2014 Anifest India 2014, India , August 2014 Puchon Student Film Festival, Korea 2014 AWARDS Jury Prize for Best Art work @ 18 Golden Elephant, ICFFI Best Animation Film In the Professional Category @ ASIFA Best Animation Feature Film @ FICCI BAF, India Best Animation Feature Film @ CMS international Children’s Film Festival -2014 , India INTERVIEW WITH SHILPA RANADE