From local stories to national conversations — the July Chapter of Talk Cinema On The Floor brought together voices from Delhi-NCR’s filmmaking and storytelling community. With powerful sessions by filmmaker Bhaskar Hazarika and mentor Dr. Sabiha Farhat, and the announcement of the next phase of the ‘Make Cinema’ campaign, the forum reaffirmed its role as a vibrant hub for meaningful cinematic dialogue, talent showcase, and collaborative growth.
–By NDFF Editorial Desk
From Ideas to Impact: Creative Voices Gather at TCOTF July Chapter
New Delhi, July 19, 2025 – The New Delhi Film Foundation (NDFF), in collaboration with Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Creativity (SACAC) and Media & Entertainment Skills Council (MESC), hosted the July Chapter of its monthly creative forum Talk Cinema On The Floor (TCOTF) at Harmony House, SACAC, Adchini. A packed hall of film lovers, creators, and learners from across Delhi-NCR joined in for an inspiring afternoon filled with insights, performances, and practical knowledge sharing.
Spotlight: Bhaskar Hazarika Speaks on Challenges of Regional Cinema
In the Spotlight segment, acclaimed Assamese filmmaker and National Award winner Bhaskar Hazarika addressed the gathering on the challenges and triumphs of making regional and unconventional cinema. Known for thought-provoking films like Kothanodi, Aamis (Ravening) and Emuthi Puthi, Hazarika offered an honest view into the world of regional filmmaking.
“It is a real challenge to reach a larger audience with regional stories. Balancing cultural specificity with universal appeal—while also maintaining production quality—is not easy,” he shared. He also spoke about navigating shifting trends, the influence of AI on storytelling, and the importance of sincerity in filmmaking. Participants were deeply moved by his grounded approach and real-world insight.
Craft & Crew with Dr. Sabiha Farhat: From Thought to Screenplay
Documentary filmmaker and film trainer Dr. Sabiha Farhat took the audience through a practical masterclass on developing a script from a raw idea. In the Craft & Crew segment, she explained how to structure and shape a story, while retaining its emotional depth. Using examples from international cinema and personal projects, she offered a toolkit for emerging storytellers to begin writing with confidence.
Her session was especially well-received by young filmmakers, writers, and technicians in attendance, who appreciated the grounded and accessible nature of her talk. She stressed that while formats and structures are important, the essence of storytelling lies in truth and observation.
She highlighted the point that for screenwriters, understanding suspension of disbelief is essential because it directly impacts story credibility and audience engagement. Writers must craft narratives and dialogues that feel consistent and emotionally truthful, even in (fantastical) settings. It is the writer’s job to make the audience forget that they are watching actors mouthing dialogues. The screenplay writer has to weave character logic so that a viewer gets emotionally involved with the character.
Make Cinema Campaign – Next Phase Launched
NDFF Founder Ashish K Singh formally launched the Call for Entries for the next phase of the Make Cinema campaign, which seeks to produce six short films in six months under the theme “Small Films, Big Voices.” Singh shared that the films will focus on realism, rooted stories, and social relevance, and will provide space for emerging filmmakers to showcase their talent. The entry window is open from July 20 to August 5, and preference will be given to participants of TCOTF sessions.
Take The Floor: Platform for New Voices
The interactive pitch segment Take the Floor: The 5-Minute Window featured selected emerging talents who took the stage to present their work or ideas. Highlights included:
- Annu Rawal, Kathak artist and founder of Anurawal Performing Arts, who shared her concept of a dance-drama project based on Meera Bai. Annu Rawal has performed in many countries while working for Feroz Abbas Khan directed “Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical”, a Broadway-style stage adaptation of the classic 1960 Hindi film.
- Tanvi Tripathi, a film student who pitched a unique short film idea drawn from lived experience.
- Nivriti Khatri, a mass comm student and a budding poet-songwriter, who performed her original creations live.
The segment continues to grow as a platform for collaboration and project visibility among peers and potential mentors.
An Evolving Creative Movement
The session ended with Chit-Chat Over Tea & Light Bites, where creators and guests interacted informally. Ms. Daljeet Wadhwa, Director of SACAC, expressed gratitude to the creative community and reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to such collaborations. Vaibhav Maitreya, Executive Director – Branding & Marketing, NDFF, explained the self-sustainable model behind the campaign. Mr. Harinder Kumar, Treasurer, NDFF, extended thanks to all attendees and supporters. The program was anchored by Vedika Raj and Priyanshu Kumar, with coordination and production support from Devesh Manjhi, Krish Gupta, and Prashik Meshram.
With strong participation, rich discussions, and increasing media visibility, Talk Cinema On The Floor is rapidly shaping into a creative movement in Delhi-NCR that bridges the gap between storytelling passion and professional growth.
The August Chapter of TCOTF will be announced soon.
Media Coverage of ‘Talk Cinema On The Floor’ July Chapter
| The Interview Times.com | https://theinterviewtimes.com/cinema-beyond-the-mainstream/ |
