You are here: Home | Resources | India

India

Resource Categories

The 8 Films have now been made and they are:

The House Remembers directed by Pawas Bisht

The Talking Camera directed by Preeti Chadha

The Life of a Bada Sahib directed by Shabani Hassanwalia

Body British, Heart Hindustani directed by Ranjan Kamath

English & I directed by Himali Kapil

The Broken Land directed by Debalina Majumder

Jugalbandi directed by Ashavari Mazundar

Ms. Hemalatha directed by  Sudha Pillai

More information on the films coming soon...


DFG Films brings you Made in India, a new and exciting scheme developing links between the UK and Indian documentary film industries. Indian filmmakers are invited to submit proposals for a 3 minute documentary on the theme of Indian independence. If selected they will receive support and advice in pitching and producing their short film which will go on to be broadcast both in India and in the UK.

To coincide with the 60th Anniversary of India’s Independence, Made in India gives 8 Indian filmmakers the unique opportunity to pitch, produce and direct a 3 minute documentary film.

The directors of the best 16 proposals will be invited to Delhi to attend a formal proposal and pitching workshop on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd September 2006. They will spend the two days being taught the art of successful pitching and proposal writing by internationally recognised tutors. On Sunday 24th September all 16 will go on to pitch their ideas to a panel made up of commissioners from DFG and Channel 4 as well as experienced broadcast industry representatives. Eight films will be selected and they will go into production in November 2006. All eight films will be broadcast on Indian television and Channel 4 UK will broadcast four of the films in early 2007 as part of a season of programmes celebrating the 60th anniversary of Indian Independence.

The deadline for proposals has now passed.

This international initiative is run by DFG Films in partnership with The Public Service Broadcasting Trust and is funded by Channel 4 UK, The British Council and the CBA-DFID Broadcast Media Scheme. The competition will run at the same time as the Open Frame Reality Film Festival and Business Skills for Documentary Workshops held in Delhi in September 2006.
Sally-Ann Wilson from CBA-DFID Broadcast Media Scheme says: 'Independence in 3 Minutes' is the first of what I hope will be many, new initiatives that will give UK audiences a fresh and original perspective on life in India. UK producers regularly produce films about India, where 'Independence in 3 Minutes' differs is that it offers an authentic perspective by creating a unique opportunity for Indian independent television producers the chance to bring their work and voices to UK TV screens.’

Paul Howson from the British Council: ‘Three minutes may be short, but it’s not easy. There’s huge creative talent all over India and we know that filmmakers will rise to the challenge, and if we can give new and distinctive Indian voices an international platform, we’ll be very happy.’

Rajiv Mehrotra from PSBT: ‘2007 is the 60th year of India’s independence from British imperialism; it also marks the 150th anniversary of the first Indian War of Independence in 1857. We are looking for a series of short films that will capture the spirit & essence of independent free India where vestiges of the British colonialism still survive. India is a living celebration of freedom, vitality and energy drawing on a vital civilization, history & heritage that goes back more than 5000 years.’

Andy Glynne from DFG Films: 'This project represents a fantastic opportunity to tap into the filmmaking talent in India and also foster more formal links between the two countries in terms of documentary production. Its an exciting time to be involved in such a project, and hopefully signifies the start of a greater collaboration in the future.'

Kate Vogel from Channel 4: 'As always Channel 4 is committed to hearing from as wide a range of voices as possible, to this end having film makers from India putting across their view of the world fits perfectly into this vision.’

Download application guidelines and application form here.

In this category:

Back to categories