Indica Filmmaker Social 2025

As part of the 6th Indic Film Utsav’s Industry Interface initiative, the Center for Indic Films is proud to present the INDICA FILMMAKER SOCIAL — an engaging gathering designed to bring together filmmakers, industry professionals, critics, festival strategists, and cinema enthusiasts for meaningful conversations and creative collaboration.

Titled “Cinematic Crossroads: Telling Indian Stories from the US to a Global Audience,” this special event will take place on November 9th at 11 AM at the Galaxy Theatre @ Grandscape, Dallas. The session will explore the growing opportunities, challenges, and evolving pathways for Indian and Indic storytellers creating cinema from the United States for audiences across the world.

The discussion will feature an accomplished and diverse panel representing filmmaking, film festivals, criticism, production, and cultural advocacy. Speakers include Katie Schuck, Dallas Film Commissioner; internationally recognized Film Festival Strategist Rebekah Louisa Smith; actor and producer Vishy Ayyar, lead of American Warrior, the festival’s Opening Night film; filmmaker and writer Sachin Dheeraj, director of Men in Blue; Dr. Ravi Rajan, Executive Producer of Caste Gate – The Untold Story; acclaimed film critic Kirk Fernwood of OneFilmFan.com; and Vishy Putcha, Head of the Indica Filmmaker Social initiative.

The session aims to foster dialogue around independent filmmaking, festival strategy, audience outreach, cross-cultural storytelling, and the unique experience of creating Indian stories within the American cinematic landscape. Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with filmmakers, collaborators, media professionals, and festival guests in an open and welcoming atmosphere. The INDICA FILMMAKER SOCIAL reflects Indic Film Utsav’s continuing commitment to building bridges between storytellers, communities, and global audiences through the power of cinema.