Preview Committee
Indian Competition
Akshay Shelar
Akshay Shelar is an accomplished film critic, author, and assistant professor of Film and Media Studies based in Pune, India. Holding a postgraduate degree (M.Sc.) in Media Research from the Department of Media and Communication Studies, Savitribai Phule Pune University, and a bachelor’s degree in English, he exemplifies academic rigor. His forthcoming book The Cinema of Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar is set for publication in 2025 by Papyrus Prakashan. A seasoned translator, he rendered Uday Bhatia’s Bullets Over Bombay: Satya and the Hindi Film Gangster into Marathi. Akshay’s critical insights have graced renowned publications like Daily Maharashtra Times, Sakal, Indie Journal, Aksharnama, and Aapla Mahanagar. Regularly contributing to Vaastav Rupwani and Mukta Shabd Magazine, he remains an authoritative voice in cinematic discourse.
Sakshi Gulati
Sakshi Gulati is an Indian writer-director and media educator who has worked with various non profits, creating non-fiction films, documented folk cultures, and rural employment initiatives. She engages in screenwriting, documentary practice, film studies, and media literacy programs focused on children and marginalized groups. Her films explore social realities, people’s relationships with their spaces and anxieties of modern living. Alienation, desire for connection, desire for individuality, resisting conformity and underlying sense of dystopia and confusion often seeps into her work.
Anupam Barvé
Anupam Barvé is a distinguished filmmaker, theatre director, and educator whose creative expertise spans cinema and performing arts. Recently an Associate Professor of Film Direction at FTII, he balances his time between directing under his production house, Rakhadi Studio, and teaching at premier institutions across India. His award-winning plays, including Thakishi Samvaad and Uchhaad, garnered Best Play and Best Director accolades at Zee Gaurav 2023. Anupam directed episodes of Goshta Ahe Pruthvimolachi and helmed the critically acclaimed series Safe Journeys. His versatile work, celebrated at international film festivals, reflects his commitment to storytelling that resonates universally.
Jitendra Dongare
Jitendra Dongare is a Mumbai-based film editor celebrated for his mastery in both fiction and non-fiction narratives. A graduate of FTII, Pune, he has crafted compelling stories through acclaimed projects like Bad Cop (2024), Toothpari (2023), and Hutatma (2019). His editing prowess shines in notable web series and films, including Karenjit Kaur: The Untold Story of Sunny Leone and Spring Thunder. Renowned for his precision and narrative finesse, Jitendra’s work consistently garners critical acclaim, positioning him as a leading figure in India’s film editing landscape.
Pooja Gupte
Pooja Gupte, a cinematographer trained at the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, India, stands out for her innovative visual storytelling. A Berlinale Talent Campus alumna, she has represented Indian cinema internationally. Her debut feature Crossing Bridges won the 61st National Film Award, and her work in Rukh earned the AIFF Best Cinematography award. Recent projects include Panchak (2024) and Minimum, which premiered at the UK Asian Film Festival. A pioneer in her field, Pooja balances feature films, short projects, and commercials with remarkable finesse.
