Shanthini Balasubramanian Wins Best First-Time Director at MAMM for Velvet Secrets

Emerging Tamil-Canadian filmmaker Shanthini Balasubramanian has captivated audiences with her heartfelt and innovative storytelling, earning her the prestigious Best First-Time Director award at the 19th Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon, hosted by the Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF). Her short film, Velvet Secrets, stood out among fierce competition, offering a fresh perspective on familial relationships and cultural identity.

Velvet Secrets: A Tale of Discovery and Connection

At its core, Velvet Secrets is an exploration of identity, empathy, and self-discovery. The film follows Asha, a traditional Tamil mother, who stumbles upon a revealing red velvet dress in her daughter’s room. Her curiosity propels her into a journey of self-exploration, flipping the conventional narrative of generational conflict.

Balasubramanian intentionally shifts the focus to Asha, portraying her as a mother reconnecting with her femininity while stepping into her daughter’s world. This nuanced perspective gives voice to mothers, a demographic often overlooked in cinema. Velvet Secrets also balances its emotional depth with light-hearted moments, earning its designation as a “dramedy.”

“Asha was inspired by my own mother,” Balasubramanian shared. “I wrote this film during a period when I spent more time at home, which allowed me to reflect on our relationship and cultural nuances.”

The casting process was equally personal and challenging. Chandni Appadurai, who portrays Asha, delivered a performance brimming with authenticity and emotional resonance. Her real-life daughter, Anjali Appadurai, plays Deepthi, adding a layer of genuine connection to the on-screen mother-daughter bond. Supporting characters include a chorus of gossiping aunties, reflecting societal pressures with humor and poignancy.

What truly sets Velvet Secrets apart is its linguistic and cultural authenticity. The film is entirely in Tamil, a deliberate choice by Balasubramanian to celebrate her heritage.

“Making a Tamil-language film was a dream come true,” she explained. “It’s a story for South Asian women to see themselves represented on screen.”

InFocus Film School: The Foundation of Creativity

Balasubramanian attributes much of her creative growth and filmmaking success to her experience at InFocus Film School. From the moment she walked through its doors, she felt supported and encouraged. The school’s hands-on approach provided her with a comprehensive understanding of all crew roles, an essential skill set for a director navigating the indie film scene.

“InFocus doesn’t rely on high-tech equipment, and that’s actually a blessing,” Balasubramanian noted. “It taught me to be resourceful and resilient, which prepared me to create films even with minimal resources.”

Key lessons from InFocus included learning to lead while respecting the expertise of others. One piece of advice from an instructor stayed with her.

“Yes, you are the director, but you are just the director.” This collaborative mindset proved vital during the production of Velvet Secrets, allowing her to bring out the best in her team.

Balasubramanian also credits her instructors, particularly mentor David Michan, for their invaluable guidance.

“Having instructors who are active in the industry made all the difference. They brought real-world insights into the classroom.”