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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

Shot from Velvet Dreams

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.”

Shanthini Balasubramanian accepting her award at Vancouver Asian Film Festival

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.”

InFocus Film School Film Program

Click here to learn more about InFocus Film School’s Film Production Program!

Overcoming Challenges and Inspiring Others

The journey to creating Velvet Secrets was not without obstacles. From securing funding to managing cultural sensitivities, Balasubramanian faced numerous challenges as a young filmmaker. However, her determination and passion saw her through. Winning Best New Director at VAFF is a testament to her talent and dedication.

Balasubramanian now hopes to inspire other filmmakers, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. Her advice for aspiring creators?

“Pitch your projects everywhere and don’t let rejection discourage you. Stay clear about your vision, and above all, keep the drama on screen—not on set.”

A Bright Future Ahead

At just 19 years old, Shanthini Balasubramanian is poised to be a trailblazer in the Canadian and international film industries. With Velvet Secrets, she has already demonstrated her ability to craft deeply personal yet universally resonant stories. Her commitment to celebrating her Tamil heritage and championing diverse voices marks her as a filmmaker to watch.

Through her journey, Balasubramanian exemplifies the creative potential nurtured at InFocus Film School, solidifying its reputation as a launchpad for aspiring filmmakers. As she continues to explore new narratives, one thing is certain: Shanthini Balasubramanian is just getting started.

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Anuruddha Jayasinghe Directs Liberating Debut Feature ‘Dhara’ in Sri Lanka

 

 

InFocus Film School Film Production Program graduate Anuruddha Jayasinghe recently completed his debut feature film, Dhara, a story of strength and resilience set in Sri Lanka. After graduating, Jayasinghe returned to his homeland to bring his vision to life. He collaborated with InFocus Cinematography Instructor Chris Joys, who joined as Director of Photography, to help shape the film’s visual storytelling.

About the Film Dhara

Jayasinghe describes Dhara as a profound story of liberation that resonates on both personal and universal levels.

“It’s about defining liberation through individual and collective actions,” he explains, rooted in his memories of the 1987-1989 insurgency in Sri Lanka, a time when conflict touched nearly every aspect of life. His own journey through periods of social unrest, marked by oppression and marginalization, deeply influences the story.

The film unearths two distinct paths to freedom: the revolutionary and the spiritual. “Revolutionary liberation seeks to overthrow oppressive systems, challenging the status quo and envisioning a society free from corruption and injustice,” he explains. “Spiritual liberation aims for enlightenment, transcending suffering and cycles of rebirth.”

This duality is the foundation of Dhara, blending these outer struggles for justice and societal reform with an inner search for personal peace and understanding. The two paths, though distinct, weave together in the narrative, illustrating how liberation can be both an act of defiance and a journey toward inner harmony. In Dhara, the characters must navigate between these worlds, each choice bringing them closer to their own understanding of freedom.

InFocus Film School Film Program

Click here to learn more about InFocus Film School’s Film Production Program!

 

Learning at InFocus Film School

Jayasinghe credits InFocus Film School with preparing him for Dhara’s production. He highlights lead Film Production Instructor David Michan for teaching him essentials skills in creating shot lists and schematics.  This training streamlined his planning and kept the production efficient. Working with cinematography mentor Chris Joys also brought invaluable insights. Joys, whose family roots are in Kerala, India, had a deep understanding of South Asian culture, enriching their creative process.

“Chris’s expertise helped us craft a cohesive vision,” Jayasinghe says. Together, they developed a mood board to harmonize the visual storytelling.

Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers

Jayasinghe encourages future filmmakers to look beyond technical skills.

“Cultivate compassion, empathy, and a deep understanding of literature, global politics, and human behavior,” he says, believing these qualities will bring depth to storytelling and help filmmakers connect with audiences around the world.

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Aharon Jinjihashvili Celebrates High Octane Cinema with CRANK Film Festival

CRANK International Action Film Festival founder Aharon Jinjihashvili is bringing new HITS to the big screen.

 

As the CRANK International Action Film Festival gears up for another electrifying year, we spoke with its founder, InFocus Film School Film Production Program alumnus Aharon Jinjihashvili, about the event’s origins, challenges, and future. Jinjihashvili’s passion for action films is clear, rooted in a childhood of smuggled video cassettes and a dream to give the action genre the recognition it deserves.

“I grew up on a steady diet of action films,” Jinjihashvili, who also served as a Director on the TV series Pink Is In recalls. “In the Soviet Union, we didn’t have access to US films because of the Cold War. We smuggled in video cassettes and binge-watched them like secret agents on a mission. ‘Bloodsport,’ ‘Terminator,’ ‘Rocky,’ ‘Predator’—these movies were my childhood superheroes. They made me fall in love with the spectacle of cinema.”

These clandestine viewing sessions did more than entertain; they ignited a lifelong passion. “There’s something so gloriously simple about action films. From a filmmaking perspective, they’re one of the hardest genres to master,” he explains. This keen interest is what inspired him to start the Crank International Action Film Festival.

Though Jinjihashvili doesn’t have an extensive background in making action films, his enthusiasm is infectious. “My action filmmaking experience is more like an enthusiastic fanboy with a camera,” he says with a chuckle. “But that’s what makes this action film festival so exciting for me. I’m coming at it as a superfan.”

 

https://youtu.be/jrKpJGAzLU8?si=V_jRhOelQj8eP6N-

 

This perspective helps Jinjihashvili connect deeply with aspiring filmmakers. “I’m honored to meet the next generation of action filmmakers and give them a stage to show off their skills,” he says. While he has some action film projects in the pipeline, his current focus is on nurturing and showcasing new talent through CRANK International Action Film Festival.

For Jinjihashvili, a successful action film relies on two critical elements: vision and teamwork. “As a director, the most important thing is vision. The second most important thing is having a team that can turn that vision into a knockout reality,” he asserts. Key to this process is a skilled stunt coordinator and action designer who can elevate a director’s ideas to spectacular heights.

One of the most heartwarming discoveries has been the camaraderie within the stunt and action community. “They’re like a family of adrenaline junkies who support each other through thick and thin,” Jinjihashvili shares. This sense of community and mutual support has been a cornerstone of the festival’s success and growth.

Jinjihashvili’s vision for CRANK is ambitious and clear. “To become THE place to celebrate action films. To remind people that movies are supposed to be fun, roller-coaster rides of entertainment,” he declares. He envisions CRANK as the premier platform for showcasing the immense talent of action performers and creators, particularly those in Canada.

In closing, Jinjihashvili offers a heartfelt invitation to action film enthusiasts everywhere. “Just come out, have fun, enjoy the kicks, punches, and on-screen mayhem, and support the action community. Bring on the mayhem.”