Bridging Cinemas India–Australia Co-Productions
Kick off Day 2 with an exploration of how India and Australia are coming together to co-create stories for global audiences. This session highlights the power of cross-cultural collaboration in film, from shared production models to new distribution opportunities. Discover how these partnerships are shaping the future of cinema across borders.
Speakers:
Ana Tiwary
Ana Tiwary is a producer/director and runs a Sydney based production company called indiVisual films - international that specialises in authentic multicultural stories for global audiences. Her company won the 2024/25 Enterprise Business Grant from Screen Australia, with a focus on India-Australia co-productions. This initiative also includes consultations with Guneet Monga and Kiran Rao.
Three of the projects she is producing have been selected for international co-production markets - Indian-Australian co-production ‘Whistle in the Mist’ at Tasveer Film Market (USA), ‘Home Before Night’ at Waves Bazaar (India) and ‘Raesita Grey’ at JAFF Market (Indonesia). Ana's projects have in the past few years received development funding from Screen Australia, Screen West, ABC iview, Screen Queensland and VicScreen.
Ana has produced over 25 documentaries for ABC TV and other international networks. She was a series producer for 6 x 30 mins pilot series ‘iNDIA NOW!’ for ABC News. She co-produced the first Asian-Australian rom-com ‘Rhapsody of Love’ and is currently developing a diverse slate of features and series with some of Australia’s most talented multicultural writers. Ana has served as an executive for the Australian Directors’ Guild, on the board of Women in Film & Television Australia and on the Screen Australia Gender Matters Task Force. From Bollywood films to National Geographic Channel, she has lived and worked in many different parts of the world including the US, Canada, India, Germany and West Africa. In 2022, she was awarded the Stellar South-Asian Woman of Australia award.
Ana is a highly regarded speaker on topics such as cultural safety and international co-productions. She has presented on panels and at events for over 15 years, including the Sydney Film Festival, SXSW Sydney, SPA Screen Forever Conference, MIFF 37 South, Screenworks Conference, APSA Forum, Screenmakers Conference, OzAsia Festival, WIFT Australia, ADG Conference, AFTRS and others.
Over 15 years ago, Ana created Diversity in Australian Media, a community that is passionate about positive change in the screen and arts sector. She continues to mentor emerging filmmakers and is passionate about international co-productions, authentic storytelling and cultural safety.
Virat Nehru
Virat Nehru is an award winning film critic, screenwriter and film festival programmer. He is the Treasurer of the Australian Film Critics Association (AFCA) and the Founding Committee Member of the Sydney Science Fiction Film Festival.
His longform film writing can be found at SBS, Senses of Cinema, ScreenHub, The Curb, and Rough Cut. His critical essays have been part of home video releases by Umbrella and Arrow Video.
He is an expert on films from the Indian subcontinent and passionate about bringing marginalised voices into focus. Virat gave an introductory lecture on India's Parallel Cinema Movement at Riverside Theatres as part of the Cinema Reborn Film Festival. He is the Diversity, Culture and Equity Advisor for Walk Now Productions. He was the Script Consultant for the AFTRS short film 'Durga', an Official Selection at the 2024 St Kilda Film Festival.
He is on the FIPRESCI jury for the 2025 Kolkata International Film Festival and presenting the Australian premiere of the film 'Bokshi', the sole Indian feature that's part of the Official Screen Showcase at SXSW Sydney.
Michele McDonald – POCU Advisor, Screen Australia
Michele is the Producer Offset and Co production (POCU) Advisor at Screen Australia. Michele provides targeted guidance and support to Australian producers in developing and structuring Co-Productions and best practice in relation to applying for the Producer Offset. Michele can assist producers in understanding the ins and outs of the treaties and how to make a Co-production work.
Sheba Nandkeolyar - Founder & CEO, MultiConenxions Group
Sheba is a pioneering Australian-Indian entrepreneur and business leaderr, renowned for her leadership in multicultural marketing, international trade, and women's empowerment. As the Founder & CEO of MultiConnexions Group, she has been instrumental in bridging cultural gaps through strategic marketing and communications. She is also a strong advocate for Australia–India business relations and gender equality in leadership.
Sheba is the former National Chair of Australia India Business Council and the Inaugural Chair of Women in Business, AIBC. Sheba’s experience includes advising Govt & industry on multicultural & diaspora matters including bilateral trade through her board positions which included a 5 year DFAT ( AIC) board experience.
She has recently co-founded a deep tech, nano tech company, developing products focussing on clean drinking water.