Actress Shriya Pilgaonkar is “thrilled” to be on the jury for the upcoming Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, where she will judge the shorts category. Shriya Pilgaonkar, known for her roles in Hindi and Marathi cinema such as Fan (2016), Eklutti Ek (2013), and Aranya (2021), as well as series such as Mirzapur and The Broken News, sees the opportunity as an important step towards her goal of gaining global recognition.
“I always wanted to establish myself as a global actor, playing diverse roles and participating in film festivals is exactly in line with my ambition,” Shriya Pilgaonkar said.
The 35-year-old, who has also gained international experience with projects such as the French film Un Plus Une (2015) and Gurinder Chadha’s British television series The Beecham House (2019), says she is eagerly looking forward to her first experience as a jury member at an international film festival. “I am really excited to see a lot of films deeply rooted in South Asian culture. It is always inspiring to see new and emerging storytellers,” Shriya Pilgaonkar commented.
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Considering the recent success of Indian films on the global stage, such as Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light winning the Grand Prix at the Cannes International Film Festival, Shriya Pilgaonkar expresses hope for more substantial support for independent filmmakers.
“It has been an exceptional year for Indian cinema internationally, but I hope we can provide better financial support through scholarships, grants, and funding. There is a lot of untapped talent waiting for opportunities,” Shriya Pilgaonkar emphasizes. He said international film festivals play a vital role in promoting authentic storytelling and inspiring filmmakers across the world.