Shalini Kantayya was selected as one of the Top 15 finalists from Round One of The Doorpost Film Project, a short filmmaking contest aimed at discovering and developing filmmakers capable of producing films that inspire and influence, rather than simply entertain. She and fellow finalists were each given $10,000 to produce a final-round short film (8-15 minutes) based on the designated topic of hope, with an August 15th deadline. The grand prize winner will receive $100,000 and will meet privately in Los Angeles with developing studios for prospective film deals.
The Doorpost Film Project's fifteen finalists will each be given one day at random between August 17 and 31 to debut their film on Doorpost's website. After all of the films have premiered, voting will begin September 1 and last through September 10. The Film Project will culminate with a festival in Nashville, Tenn. on September 13 with a showing of the selected films and an awards presentation.
Shalini's Final Round submission for The Doorpost Film Project, "RED," will premiere August 19th. "RED" is the story of a young woman struggling for voice against a grave environmental injustice, told in the subversive playground of graffiti art. The film stars Amy Chang in the title role and Gbenga Akinnagbe (HBO's The Wire). Akinnagbe's credits include The Savages and Tony Scott's The Taking of Pelham 123 with Denzel Washington and John Travolta that will hit theatres next summer.
"As a filmmaker and human rights activist, I believe film is the spark that can ignite positive social change," exclaims Shalini. "I seek to tell stories that inspire, educate and empower audiences to see the world in a new way; women still represent less than a scarce 8% of directors in Hollywood, and I feel strongly that women's voices in film are essential to transforming culture. I am honoured to be one of two women out of Doorpost's fifteen finalists."
Shalini Kantayya was the only woman to qualify for the Top Ten out of 12,000 filmmakers on FOX's On the Lot - a reality show produced by Steven Spielberg to find the next great Hollywood director. Since then, Shalini released 17-minute film A Drop of Life with a red carpet premiere in Los Angeles and won Best Short Film at the Palm Beach International. Shalini's past work includes editing music videos for Phil Collins, Sting, and Mariah Carey, as well as interviewing notable personalities Gloria Steinhem and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
For more information on Shalini Kantayya and her work, please log on to www.7thempiremedia.com and www.ShaliniKantayya.net
Also visit www.thedoorpost.com and watch the premiere of "RED" and vote between September 1st and September 10th.
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