Latest news with #Shadowbox
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Women in Their 40s: Breaking the Shadows and Embracing Change
A change in perspective is medicinal and life altering. A person, a book, an institution, a conversation, a walk, a disease, a film; can do that for you. In my case, professionally speaking, Shadowbox became the gift that kept giving. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Because Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi (the directors) were generous and open at a time when my life was very tumultuous. Being at the Berlinale was not just extraordinary creative stimulation, but also a celebration of the six-year long journey with this film. As a society, women are thrust into the shadows as they enter their forties. Our worth is directly proportional to our ability to reproduce. As women fight back against these archaic ways of thinking, it will take more than platitudes of equality to calm us down. We are asking for information, access, and education to be shared. That is power. Women in films is an aggregator that is talking to this urgent need. WIF chapters around the world have seen clear success in increasing the number of women at work and better advocacy. So it's not a shot in the dark and hope and a prayer, IT is real change. Give women access to rooms where knowledge is shared and decisions are made. We are not asking for favours. The maiden outing of the WIF India chapter, was to send three of us to attend the producers network at Cannes. Seven days of rapid information shared about the various aspects of producing, case studies of models that worked and those that failed. The collective is not a warm, fuzzy, emotional relationship (nothing wrong with any of this) that can easily devolve into yet another clique, but a professional network that gains momentum with its strength of number and its desire to share information and access. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The core focus is to skill women up and close the gap between men and women in our industry. Men who become allies will only benefit from this inclusion and those who resist it, will be resisting the very idea of change, which is inevitable. To go from the Baksho Bondi collective to the WIF collective, from Berlin to Cannes, I see a pattern emerge. I am my best, when I am learning without the fear of ridicule and when I amsharing without the fear of competition. From Feb to May of 2025 I have learnt from many lives, and I hope to continue actively nurturing this collective, while I enjoy the solitude of my own creative process. One feeds the other.
Roya News
3 days ago
- Business
- Roya News
Jordan's Olivewood Studios partners with American Shadowbox Studios
American film and television production studio Shadowbox Studios has announced a new partnership with Olivewood Studios in Amman, Jordan, Deadline reported. The studio is expanding its footprint beyond its own facilities and beginning to offer studio management and consulting services to third-party operations. The move marks a significant development for both companies. Olivewood, completed in 2023, is the first purpose-built film complex in Jordan, featuring two soundstages and a backlot. Situated in the country's capital, the studio was designed to support large-scale international productions in a region already known for its cinematic appeal. "Bringing Shadowbox's global expertise to Olivewood marks a pivotal step in our growth," said Jumana Sharbin, General Manager of Olivewood Studios. "Their operational strength and industry insight will be key as we scale up and deliver world-class productions in Jordan." Shadowbox Studios is best known for operating large facilities in Atlanta and the UK, including Shinfield Studios. Under the direction of newly appointed COO Mike Mosallam, the company is now broadening its services to include strategic support for other studios — from planning and logistics to full-scale operational management. 'After visiting Jordan late last year, my team and I were astonished by the breadth of available landscapes and the production service infrastructure already in place at Olivewood,' said Mosallam, who joined the company earlier this year following roles at Apple TV+ and Netflix. 'Now with the benefit of sound stages, the Kingdom is well-positioned to house and host domestic and international productions of any size.' Jordan has long been a favored destination for filmmakers, with its unique mix of ancient heritage sites and dramatic desert backdrops. Major Hollywood productions such as Dune, The Martian, Star Wars: Episode IX, and Aladdin have all filmed in the country, capitalizing on its cinematic landscapes like Petra and Wadi Rum. Despite a recent dip in international filming interest due to regional instability following the events of October 7, 2023, Jordan's film industry is actively working to regain momentum. The Royal Film Commission (RFC) used this year's Cannes Film Festival to highlight incentives, including a boosted 45 percent cash rebate for film and television productions. Officials also hinted at a major incoming international project. The collaboration with Shadowbox is expected to strengthen Olivewood's role in positioning Jordan as a viable and attractive hub for global film production.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘WIF India aims to reshape not just representation, but the very framework of filmmaking'
Team WIF at Cannes This week at Cannes, Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor launched Women in Film India (WIF India), an initiative partnered with Women in Film LA to support and unite women across Indian film, TV, and digital announcement that Guneet would head the India chapter was made last year, but the official debut took place last week at Cannes. 'When I began my journey in film, resources and mentorship were limited, and the path was challenging,' Monga said. 'Women in Film India is the space I wish had existed back then.' For decades, the unofficial motto for women in Indian film has been - figure it out alone. Now, with WIF India, the plan is to upskill, fund, and mentor women across roles - not just actresses and directors, but producers, crew heads, line managers, screenwriters - the entire ecosystem. The first big move of WIF India is the Cannes Producers' Scholarship. The inaugural recipients include emerging producer Tillotama Shome (one of the producers of Berlinale's Shadowbox), studio executive Rucha Pathak, and independent producer Dimpy Agarwal, who's known for backing socially sharp stories. 'We're building a peer group of women, by women,' Guneet said. 'These global programs exist - but we're making sure they're accessible to Indian women too." 'Independent' doesn't mean alone' WIF India plans to tackle nuts-and-bolts of filmmaking - skill development, crew management, real-world mentorship. Vani Tripathi Tikoo, producer and board member says that despite of all the progress, being a woman in the Indian film industry still often means navigating boys' club. Vani says that WIF India is backed by women who've actually navigated their way through the industry. She adds,"Gender bias is real. Let's say 20 years ago, there were five women producers. Today, there are 50. But are they known? No." And she is not wrong. The names are there. But the access, visibility, and networks? Still lacking. 'Collaborations happen in silos,' Tikoo said. ' This is about creating an intentional, collective push to bring women together - not just on paper, but in action. Across states, languages, industries.' Tilotama Shome says, 'I'm a product of independent cinema, but 'independent' doesn't mean alone. It means having the freedom to make your film your way. But filmmaking is expensive, and high-risk. But making films is expensive and high risk. Hence, it is very important to have a collective that shares information and insights. Given, that the representation of women in films are so low, the up skilling endeavours of WIF, will play an important role towards equity. Education is access and it will be key in pushing the needle towards parity." Vani Tripathi Tikoo says,'In the past eight years, Nicole Kidman has collaborated with 27 female directors across her film and television projects. If our A-listers and leading actresses make it a point to work with women directors every couple of years, it could go a long way in strengthening sisterhood in cinema.' 'It's also about mentorship from people we may not have had access to otherwise' That sense of shared purpose and a long-overdue support system is what drives producer Dimpy Agarwal as well. 'Women in Film India is about to bring real change to how women are seen not just in front of the camera, but in the very structure of how films are made,' she said. 'It's about learning new and creative ways of producing, directing, and screenwriting. It's about mentorship from people we may not have had access to otherwise. This platform offers that and that's exactly the kind of change we need in today's landscape.' The days at Cannes are packed from morning to evening with expert guidance from producers, sales agents, festival programmers and distributors: Tillotama Shome For far too long, there has been a non porous wall between actors and producers, rife with feelings of not understanding each other. It's high time we worked in healthy collaboration. I was invited into the role of a producer with Baksho Bondi ( Shadowbox) by Tanushree Das and Saunyananda Sahi, that had its world premiere at Berlin this year. The learning curve was steep, but it opened my mind to the various moving pieces that go into putting a film together. So I feel very fortunate to follow up this rich experience with being a part of Women in Films, India's maiden step, to attend the producers network at Cannes. The days are packed from morning to evening with expert guidance from producers, sales agents, festival programmers and distributors. I am still reeling with all the information. It also feels amazing to share this journey with two women I admire:Rucha Pathak and Dimpy Agrawal. WIF India Producer's Network Cannes Scholarship has helped me to raise and push my talents as a Producer on a global level: Rucha Pathak "WIF India Producer's Network Cannes Scholarship has helped me to raise and push my talents as a Producer on a global level. From leading Creative and Development at big studios like UTV & UTV Spotboy; from my stint as Chief Creative Officer at Fox Star Studios; and Producing movies at Excel Entertainment — I am now exploring films as a Producer on a global level. As the world comes closer in a post-pandemic era we can tell local stories that can go global. I feel we are now perfectly poised to craft high-impact cinema that pushes creative boundaries and I want to create cinema that's exemplary in terms of being Indian but also going international." We've been going to a lot of other Women in Film chapters and everyone and it's and it's it's actually great to see that everyone's kind of facing similar issues: Dimpy Agarwal "This launch actually feels amazing and it feels like there's a support system for you and it's not a lonely journey because sometimes as women producers, it can tend to get lonely, but there is a support group, people that we can go to with like Rucha, Tillotama, Guneet Rabya, all of us being in the same room, sharing knowledge. We've been going to a lot of other Women in Film chapters and everyone and it's and it's it's actually great to see that everyone's kind of facing similar issues, similar things and how everyone's so supportive of each other and, you know, really helping everyone out, each other out in either setting up meetings for us or introducing someone that we are looking for for our projects. And the entire experience has been very informative about learning about different pre-production systems, learning about different producers, what their wins are, what their losses are." What's Women in Films India About? Women in Films India already had its first board meeting. Vani Tripathi Tikoo, board member, says,'Right before Cannes, we had a meeting where it was decided that we'd launch during the festival. As part of Women in Films India, there will be mentorship programs, collaborative events, and consistent community-building. If I had to sum up the objective in four points: -Women in Films India is more than a platform — it's here to make change. -It will unite film, TV, and digital media under one umbrella. -It will create scholarships and initiatives so women can be heard, seen, celebrated. - It's a one-stop space for women in film to come together and collaborate.' -In addition to the three main fellows, WIF India has awarded a special accreditation grant to Shefali Bhushan, an outstanding woman producer from the Marathi-language film industry, further expanding the organization's support for regional voices. Who can join? Vani says,"The platform's launched. Anyone can join. Yes, there will be some filtering - but it's not gatekeeping. It's to ensure that a real community is being built. One that's language-agnostic, medium-agnostic. Whether you're making documentaries, shorts, OTT shows, web content, feature films - you're in. The board of directors which also includes Karan Johar and Nikkhil Advani will be responsible for policy, but more than that for creating opportunities and for mentoring." Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
U.S.-Based Shadowbox To Oversee Jordan's Olivewood Studios Under New Partnership
EXCLUSIVE: Shadowbox has partnered with Jordan's Olivewood Studios and will manage the film studio's operations. Shadowbox Studios owns the Shadowbox Atlanta site and the sizeable Shinfield Studios facility in the UK. Under new COO Mike Mosallam it is branching out further and offering its expertise to third parties – helping them to either establish or operate their studio complexes. More from Deadline Jordan Seeks To Entice International Productions With Bolstered 45% Cash Rebate Shadowbox Studios Hires Industry Veteran Mike Mosallam As COO & Sets New Leadership Team El Gouna Film Fest Unveils Palestinian, Lebanese, Jordanian & Egyptian Talents Selected For Inaugural Cinegouna Emerge Rising Stars Initiative Olivewood was completed in 2023 and is the first purpose-built complex of its kind in Jordan. Located in the capital city of Amman, it has two soundstages and a backlot. With its world heritage sites such as Petra and desert landscapes, which include Wadi Rum, Jordan has established itself as a key MENA shooting destination over the past two decades with productions touching down in the territory including Denis Villeneuve's Dune and Dune 2, JJ Abrams' Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise Of Skywalker, and Guy Richie's Aladdin. The country's film production history stretches back to the early 1960s when it hosted the shoot of Lawrence of Arabia. Instability in the region since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Southern Israel, however, has dented its appeal to international production. Jordan's Royal Film Commission was out in force in Cannes on a drive to reboot its international locations business. It announced the country was raising its cash rebate for film and TV production to 45% and also told Deadline that a big incoming international production was on the horizon. The Shadowbox team was also in Cannes, talking up the support services it is offering studios and production, which range from planning services for producers to full studio management. 'Jordan has shown the world its incredible locations in films from Dune and Aladdin to The Martian and Star Wars, and through our exciting partnership with Shadowbox we are thrilled to expand our worldwide reach to international filmmakers,' said Raja Gargour, Chairman of Olivewood Studios in Amman. Jumana Sharbin, the General Manager of Olivewood, added: 'Bringing Shadowbox's global expertise to Olivewood marks a pivotal step in our growth. Their operational strength and industry insight will be key as we scale up and deliver world-class productions in Jordan.' Mosallam joined Shadowbox earlier this year after stints at Apple TV+ and Netflix. He has put together a new leadership team and one priority was ramping up work with other studios such as Olivewood. 'After visiting Jordan late last year, my team and I were astonished by the breadth of available landscapes and the production service infrastructure already in place at Olivewood,' he said. 'Now with the benefit of sound stages, the Kingdom is well-positioned to house and host domestic and international productions of any size.' Melanie Goodfellow contributed to this article. Best of Deadline 'Hacks' Season 4 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Come Out? Everything We Know About 'Hacks' Season 4 So Far 'The Last Of Us': Differences Between HBO Series & Video Game Across Seasons 1 And 2
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Guneet Monga Kapoor launches Women in Film India at Cannes, champions gender equity in cinema
The red carpet was not the only thing glittering at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Amidst cinematic celebrations, a groundbreaking initiative took centre stage, the official launch of Women in Film India (WIF India) by Oscar-winning powerhouse Guneet Monga Kapoor. With it, she is not just rewriting the rules of representation, she is building the playbook from scratch. Women in Film India launched by Guneet Monga Making its global debut in the most cinematic way possible, WIF India kicked off its journey by announcing its first-ever Cannes Producers Fellowship, a dynamic programme designed to boost Indian women producers onto the international stage. The spotlight? Three incredible visionaries who have been shaping narratives and pushing boundaries back home: Tillotama Shome, the critically acclaimed actor who now helms Shadowbox; Rucha Pathak, a seasoned creative mind; and Dimpy Agarwal, an independent filmmaker using cinema to drive social change. These trailblazers are not just attending Cannes, they are participating in the Producers Network, accessing international co-productions, funding avenues, and invaluable global partnerships. Guneet Monga calls it structural 'This is not symbolic, it is structural,' Guneet expressed through her bold initiative. Her vision is rooted in real-world impact: mentorships, leadership development, and sustainable access. She envisions WIF India as the scaffolding for future generations of women in entertainment, not just a one-time celebration. Shefali Bhushan, a key voice in Marathi cinema, also joins this powerful lineup through a special accreditation grant, furthering WIF India's mission to represent India in all its regional diversity. A platform for women in the screen industry The initiative, supported by Women in Film Los Angeles (WIF LA) and Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI), joins a global sisterhood of over 50 affiliates. According to WIF CEO Kirsten Schaffer, this partnership is a key step towards building a truly connected global community of women in the screen industries. In addition to the glitz, the fellowship also comes with a powerful ripple effect: each producer will bring their learnings back to the Indian community, ensuring that the initiative does not end with Cannes, it begins with it. With WIF India, Guneet Monga Kapoor is not just raising a toast to Indian talent, she is building the entire table.
