In this special Industry Spotlight, a WAVES Film Bazaar 2025 feature, filmmaker Nemil Shah joined Lohita Sujith, Sr. Director, Copyright & Digital Economy, Motion Picture Association, to discuss his creative journey and the support WAVES has provided along the way. He traced his earliest interest in filmmaking to college, leading to his acclaimed short Daal Bhaat, which won the National Film Award for Best Short Fiction Film and was India’s official entry to the Oscars. Producing, writing, and post-producing his own films, he said, gave him a comprehensive understanding of the craft and shaped his evolving artistic voice.

Nemil emphasized the challenges of independent filmmaking and how WAVES Film Bazaar serves as a vital platform for discovery, collaboration, and mentorship. He highlighted its contribution to experimental cinema, co-productions, and funding pathways, opportunities essential for realizing ambitious ideas within practical constraints.

He also spoke about his first feature, 7-7, set across India and Ghana, which received the Asian Cinema Fund for script development. Initiatives like the Screenwriters Lab, he noted, offer invaluable, objective feedback that strengthens scripts and supports filmmakers through development.

Looking ahead, Nemil remains committed to telling deeply personal stories while exploring international partnerships and innovative forms of storytelling. He praised Waves for bringing filmmakers, producers, and distributors together, creating an environment where projects can grow and connect with audiences worldwide.