{"id":2971,"date":"2024-09-20T10:58:08","date_gmt":"2024-09-20T10:58:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/?p=2971"},"modified":"2024-09-20T10:58:08","modified_gmt":"2024-09-20T10:58:08","slug":"panning-in-on-a-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/panning-in-on-a-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Panning in on a win \u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amoli Birewar has been awarded the Docu_Commune grant by the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT) to produce her first documentary film on rural Maharashtra teens. She is one of five filmmakers selected from across India and the only one from Goa\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Panaji-based researcher and producer, Amoli Birewar earned her degree in media and communication from the Symbiosis Centre for Media and Communication, Pune, before joining Untamed Planet, a film production company which specialises in producing unscripted programs and documentary films for leading broadcast networks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Birewar\u2019s expertise spans feature-length documentaries, short series, and branded content. Beyond her work with Untamed Planet, she freelances in research and production for various documentary projects. Currently, she is directing her first short documentary, \u2018Bali\u2019, for which she has been awarded a grant.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Excerpts from an interview with Birewar:<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

How does it feel to receive the Docu_Commune grant and to be the only recipient from Goa?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

There were two other filmmakers from Goa, Urvi Keny and Shahrukh Anklesaria, whose projects were also outstanding. Opportunities like the PSBT Docu_Commune grant are rare, especially for early to mid-career documentary filmmakers in India.<\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m incredibly grateful and fortunate that, as a first-time director, they believed in my project and awarded me this grant, which allows me to make the film.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

How did you learn about this opportunity, and what motivated you to apply?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I found out about Docu_Commune through online filmmaker communities on WhatsApp and Instagram. These groups are very supportive, frequently sharing information about funding opportunities and other resources.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was inspired to apply because securing international funding can be difficult for Indian filmmakers. When I saw that I met the eligibility criteria for this grant, I decided to apply. Luckily, I also had a project idea that I was already developing.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Could you tell us about the application process and how many people were considered before the final selection?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The process began with a Google form available on their website and Instagram page. The form asked several questions about the project idea, including why you want to make it and how you plan to execute it.<\/span><\/p>\n

After submitting the form, we were shortlisted and invited to an interview with selectors. We had to present our ideas in the most engaging and convincing way possible. From there, 25 candidates were chosen for a three-month mentorship program. During this period, we developed our ideas further and had the chance to learn from accomplished filmmakers in India.<\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the mentorship, we submitted both a written and a verbal pitch of our ideas. Based on these, five finalists were selected for the grant.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How do you think this grant will affect your work and the project overall?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

PSBT has a long-standing tradition of supporting documentary filmmakers in India, resulting in many exceptional films. It has been a significant stepping stone for numerous creators. I hope it will be for me as well. The grant is crucial as it allows me to produce my first film and has helped me connect with many fellow filmmakers. I expect it will lead to more opportunities and collaborations in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What is your documentary about? What inspired the project?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The documentary is a coming-of-age story that delves into the lives of teenage girls in rural Maharashtra, highlighting their fears, hopes, and uncertainties about the future. It centres on Bali and her friends during a pivotal time in their lives, as they prepare for an important Kabaddi tournament while also confronting the big question of what lies ahead after Class 12.<\/span><\/p>\n

Each girl has her own dream\u2014one wants to continue her education, another aspires to join the police force, and Bali hopes to become a professional Kabaddi player. However, their families have different expectations, encouraging them to either pursue more secure careers or settle down into marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n

I was inspired to tell this story after visiting my grandparents\u2019 village, Wadsa, in Maharashtra, where I met Bali. Her confidence and passion for Kabaddi immediately struck me. Bali and her friends are funny, witty, and full of life, which made me realise their story would make an interesting and heartfelt film, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of girls growing up in a remote village.<\/span><\/p>\n

As a former athlete, I\u2019ve always believed sports is more than just games\u2014they create great action and drama, but behind the scenes, there are always deeper, more meaningful stories. This documentary captures that essence.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Has your work on the documentary begun?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The documentary is already underway. I\u2019m currently filming in my grandparents\u2019 village. We expect the film to be completed by February end.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What got you interested in filmmaking, and what do you enjoy most about it?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Several factors contributed to my choice. As a child, I loved reading books, which would often spark little films playing in my imagination. I also enjoyed writing short stories and plays for my class. As I grew older, I realised I wanted a career that was enjoyable, where work felt less like a chore and more like a pleasure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Filmmaking is incredibly enjoyable, with each day bringing something new. It\u2019s never repetitive, and especially in documentary filmmaking, you get to experience a wide variety of situations. It enriches your life, and the process of creating films is deeply rewarding, which is why I was drawn to it.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What are your plans for the future?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019m still in the early stages of my career, having only been working for two years. One of my goals was to make a film of my own before turning 25, and I\u2019m excited to be on track to achieve that. I work with a production company and look forward to contributing to some amazing global projects. Also, I\u2019m freelancing, but I remain passionate about creating my own films. Filmmaking, like any art form, takes time and practice to refine. In these early years, my focus is on working extensively, exploring the craft, and figuring out my unique approach to filmmaking.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Amoli Birewar has been awarded the Docu_Commune grant by the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT) to produce her first documentary film on rural Maharashtra teens. She is one of five filmmakers selected from across India and the only one from Goa\u00a0 RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY\u00a0 Panaji-based researcher and producer, Amoli Birewar earned her degree […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2973,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aspire-inspire","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2971"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2971\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2974,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2971\/revisions\/2974"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2973"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}