The June Chapter of Talk Cinema On The Floor (TCOTF) marked a significant milestone in the journey of the New Delhi Film Foundation (NDFF). Featuring National Award-winning filmmaker Utpal Borpujari and renowned photographer-cinematographer Shyam Prasad, the session explored two equally relevant themes—the remarkable rise of Northeast Indian cinema and the growing possibilities of creating cinematic content in the reel format. The event also marked the beginning of TCOTF’s second year, while NDFF entered the tenth year of its journey as a non-profit organisation committed to meaningful cinema, creative education and community building.
“Northeast Indian cinema is no longer confined to being regional cinema. Through its local stories, culture and human emotions, it is steadily creating a distinct identity on the global cinematic landscape.”
These insightful words by National Award-winning filmmaker, former National Award-winning film critic and senior journalist Utpal Borpujari perfectly set the tone for the June Chapter of Talk Cinema On The Floor (TCOTF).
While discussing the remarkable creative rise of Northeast Indian cinema, Borpujari referred to acclaimed films such as The Shape of Momo (Sikkim), Boong (Manipur) and Not A Hero (Assam), highlighting how these films are redefining the cinematic map of India through authentic local storytelling and universal human emotions. His observations reminded everyone that some of the most original voices in Indian cinema are now emerging from regions that remained underrepresented for decades.
It was a fitting beginning to a chapter that itself marked an important milestone. Organised by the New Delhi Film Foundation (NDFF) at the Indian Institute of Creative Skills (IICS), Lajpat Nagar, the June Chapter completed the first successful year of TCOTF and marked its entry into the second year. At the same time, NDFF also stepped into the tenth year of its own journey as a non-profit organisation dedicated to meaningful cinema and creative engagement.
The event once again demonstrated that serious conversations on cinema, collaborative learning and creative networking can successfully coexist on one platform.
Building a Creative Ecosystem
Welcoming the participants, Ashish K. Singh, Founder of NDFF, reflected on the remarkable journey of TCOTF over the past year.
He noted that, with the continued support of Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Creativity (SACAC), Indian Institute of Creative Skills (IICS) and the Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC), TCOTF has evolved beyond being a monthly gathering. It has gradually become a vibrant meeting point for filmmakers, writers, actors, photographers, students, content creators and cinema lovers who wish to learn, collaborate and grow together.
He reiterated that NDFF’s vision extends beyond organising discussions on cinema. The Foundation seeks to nurture a sustainable filmmaking ecosystem in Delhi by encouraging creative collaborations, skill development and meaningful conversations that contribute to India’s emerging Orange Economy.
Every Conversation Begins With People
As always, the programme began with TCOTF’s signature Warm & Open Introduction Round, where every participant briefly introduced themselves and shared their personal relationship with cinema.
The diversity in the room reflected the very spirit of TCOTF. There were filmmakers, aspiring actors, students, photographers, content creators, media professionals, technologists and even science scholars—each bringing a unique perspective, yet united by a common love for cinema.
This culture of open introductions continues to distinguish TCOTF from conventional seminars and conferences. Before discussions begin, people connect with one another as individuals, making the conversations more engaging, collaborative and meaningful.
Among the distinguished participants was veteran actor Krishan Tandon, known for his work across films, web series and theatre. Currently based in London, he happened to be in Delhi for a shooting schedule and joined the session. Also present was noted singer Prasoon Mukherjee, nephew of legendary playback singer Hemant Kumar, adding another creative dimension to the gathering.
This is precisely what the New Delhi Film Foundation envisions—a platform where not only serious cinema but every aspect of the performing arts finds meaningful space for dialogue, collaboration and learning. By bringing together people from diverse creative backgrounds, NDFF hopes to gradually build a stronger and more vibrant professional ecosystem for cinema and the creative industries.
Spotlight with Utpal Borpujari: A Journalist, Film Critic and Sensitive Storyteller
The Spotlight Session began with the screening of promotional excerpts from Utpal Borpujari’s National Award-winning Assamese feature film Ishu and his acclaimed documentary The House of Baruas. The screenings provided participants with an immediate glimpse into his cinematic style before the conversation moved into his creative journey.
Borpujari shared fascinating insights into his evolution from journalism to filmmaking. Speaking about his early years, he explained how growing up in a family deeply connected with literature and culture shaped his creative sensibilities. His exposure to world cinema after moving to Delhi further expanded his understanding of storytelling and visual language.
During his long career as a journalist, he covered numerous national and international film festivals while working with leading media organisations. Eventually, driven by a desire to express stories through cinema rather than merely writing about films, he chose filmmaking as his full-time creative pursuit.
His debut Assamese feature film Ishu received the National Film Award in 2018, while much earlier, in 2003, he had himself received the National Film Award for Best Film Critic—a rare distinction that reflects both his analytical understanding and creative command over cinema.
The discussion then moved to the changing landscape of Northeast Indian cinema, which became one of the highlights of the afternoon.
Borpujari observed that although Assam has a filmmaking tradition dating back to the 1930s, the past decade and a half has witnessed a remarkable creative resurgence across the entire Northeast. Films rooted in local languages, indigenous cultures and everyday human experiences are now travelling to prestigious international film festivals and receiving widespread recognition.
Referring to films such as Village Rockstars, Not A Hero, The Shape of Momo and Boong, he explained how filmmakers from the region are crafting stories that remain deeply local while resonating with audiences across the world. According to him, some of the freshest and most original cinematic voices in contemporary Indian cinema are now emerging from Northeast India.
The interactive session also featured thoughtful questions from participants on independent filmmaking, screenplay development, film festivals, changing audience behaviour, the future of Indian cinema and opportunities available to young filmmakers. Borpujari responded with remarkable openness, making the session both informative and inspiring.
Click to know more about his films: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5285158
Craft & Crew: When Reels Can Also Become Cinema
The second major attraction of the June Chapter was the Craft & Crew session titled “Cinema on Reels – Aesthetics & Techniques in Reel Making.” The session explored an increasingly relevant question in today’s digital age:
Introducing the session, host Ashish K. Singh said that reels are no longer merely a form of entertainment or social media engagement. They have evolved into one of the most influential visual mediums for storytelling, personal branding, public communication and creative expression. Therefore, the real question is not whether people should make reels, but whether reels can also carry the artistic sensitivity, visual language and emotional depth that define good cinema.
This philosophy formed the basis of NDFF’s message:
“Don’t Just Make Reels… Create Cinema.”
The Foundation believes that while the format has become shorter, the principles of cinematic storytelling remain equally relevant. A meaningful idea, thoughtful composition, emotional engagement and visual aesthetics can transform even a short reel into a memorable cinematic experience.
The session was conducted by renowned photographer, cinematographer and Director of Shoots & Shoots Photography & Film Academy, Shyam Prasad, who shared his professional experience with participants through an engaging presentation supported by practical demonstrations and real-life examples.
He encouraged participants to view reel making not merely as a social media trend but as a powerful form of visual communication capable of telling meaningful stories within a limited duration.
Covering both artistic and technical aspects of reel making, he discussed mobile filmmaking, visual aesthetics, framing, composition, camera angles, lighting, camera movement and editing techniques. Through simple yet effective examples, he demonstrated how even a slight change in lighting could completely alter the emotion and mood of a scene.
He also spoke about subject positioning, facial angles, natural expressions and visual balance, offering practical insights that can immediately improve the quality of visual storytelling.
Discussing the structure of an effective reel, Shyam Prasad observed that the audience’s attention span is becoming shorter with every passing year. Therefore, a successful reel must capture attention within the opening few seconds, establish its subject quickly and conclude with clarity and impact within a limited duration.
At the same time, he reminded participants that technology alone does not create memorable content. Strong ideas, emotional storytelling and cinematic thinking remain the real foundation of impactful visual communication.
The discussion generated enthusiastic participation from aspiring filmmakers, photographers, students and content creators, many of whom actively interacted with the speaker during the Q&A session.
By presenting reel making through the lens of cinema rather than algorithms alone, the session perfectly reflected NDFF’s larger vision of promoting meaningful visual storytelling in the digital era.
Take The Floor & The Tiffin Heist
One of the defining features of Talk Cinema On The Floor is its unique segment, Take The Floor – The 5 Minute Window, where participants are encouraged to present their creative work, share new ideas or pitch projects while looking for potential collaborators.
As part of this initiative, TCOTF also introduced the segment “Showcase Your Work – Let Your Cinema Speak”, providing filmmakers and creators with an opportunity to present their completed work before a community of fellow artists and cinema enthusiasts.
During the June Chapter, participants watched the five-minute short film The Tiffin Heist, produced as part of a filmmaking workshop organised by the Indian Institute of Creative Skills (IICS) for young learners.
Following the screening, actor Aisha Gupta, representing the film’s team, interacted with the audience and shared valuable insights into the filmmaking process, the learning experience and the creative challenges involved in producing the short film.
The discussion reinforced one of TCOTF’s core objectives—to encourage young creators by giving them a platform where they can not only showcase their work but also receive meaningful appreciation, constructive feedback and opportunities for future collaboration.
Networking Tea: Where Conversations Continue Beyond the Stage
There is a saying often heard in the world of cinema:
“Cinema is not built only on sets; it is built through conversations.”
Many memorable films begin long before the camera starts rolling. They are born during discussions, debates, informal exchanges and unexpected conversations over a cup of tea or coffee.
This belief forms the very foundation of Talk Cinema On The Floor, and it is precisely why every chapter concludes with a dedicated Networking Tea session.
The June Chapter was no exception. Participants, guest speakers, students and creative professionals continued their conversations in an informal setting, exchanging ideas, discussing future collaborations and building new professional relationships.
Several participants met one another for the first time, while others explored possibilities for working together on future creative projects. It was during these conversations that TCOTF’s guiding philosophy— Learn • Share • Network —once again came alive.
One Year Completed, A New Chapter Begins
Over the past year, Talk Cinema On The Floor has steadily established itself as one of Delhi’s distinctive monthly platforms dedicated to serious cinema, creative conversations and community building.
With the June Chapter, TCOTF entered its second year, while the New Delhi Film Foundation (NDFF) also stepped into the tenth year of its journey.
This milestone represents much more than the passage of time. It reflects the growing belief that if filmmakers, students, artists, writers, technicians and cinema lovers are provided with an open, inclusive and consistent platform for dialogue, a vibrant filmmaking ecosystem can gradually emerge.
Looking ahead, NDFF remains committed to strengthening film culture across Delhi and North India through initiatives such as Cinema of India, Make Cinema, Talk Cinema On The Floor, film screenings, thematic workshops, creative collaborations and partnerships with educational, cultural and industry institutions.
The Foundation firmly believes that cinema is far more than entertainment. It is a powerful medium capable of connecting society, culture, education, innovation and the emerging Orange Economy.
Acknowledgements
The successful organisation of the June Chapter was made possible through the valuable support of Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Creativity (SACAC), the Indian Institute of Creative Skills (IICS) and the Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC).
From IICS, Ms. Pooja Arora (COO) played an important role in supporting the larger vision of Talk Cinema On The Floor. The event coordination was efficiently managed by Roshni Sehgal, Pushpa Verma, Prishita Tiwari and Shivani Singh.
The programme was hosted by Ashish K. Singh, while Vaibhav Maitreya and Harinder Kumar coordinated the event on behalf of NDFF. Technical production was managed by Krish Gupta, while Mukesh Bishnoi played an important role in documenting and covering the event.
Explore More from NDFF
Discover more initiatives by the New Delhi Film Foundation:
• Talk Cinema On The Floor (TCOTF) – Monthly creative conversations on cinema.
• Make Cinema – Encouraging aspiring filmmakers to create meaningful short films.
• Cinema of India – Celebrating the linguistic and cultural diversity of Indian cinema.
• Watch Cinema – Curated film screenings followed by thoughtful discussions.
• Workshops & Masterclasses – Practical learning opportunities with experienced filmmakers and industry professionals.
Join us as we continue building a vibrant filmmaking community rooted in learning, collaboration and meaningful cinema.
About New Delhi Film Foundation (NDFF)
The New Delhi Film Foundation (NDFF) is a registered non-profit film society dedicated to promoting meaningful cinema, creative education and film culture across Delhi and North India. Through regular film screenings, workshops, film festivals, monthly editions of Talk Cinema On The Floor (TCOTF), the Make Cinema campaign and collaborations with academic, cultural and industry institutions, NDFF is working to build a vibrant filmmaking ecosystem that nurtures emerging talent, encourages creative collaboration and contributes to India’s growing Orange Economy. NDFF believes that cinema is not merely entertainment—it is a powerful medium for education, dialogue, cultural exchange and social transformation. To join our community on Whats App or to stay in touch, Click: https://chat.whatsapp.com/JWMFcNWvocGCpKuwi078uL or contact: 999957865
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