She is also working on Indian ancient knowledge and culture, for which she has recently completed the course on Hinduism Through Its Scriptures with Harvard X, which is an initiative of Harvard University.
She is also the organizer of the Shakseeyat Personality Award which is held every year and which is also recorded in the India Book of Records. She is also on a spiritual path and is mainly working on energy science. She has studied and is continuously practices many disciplines including astrology, numerology, reiki energy, oracle and tarot card reading, yoga and meditation, NLP coach, naturopathy, DMIT, mid brain, past life therapy, crystal therapy. etc. An excellent singer, 4 of her songs based on ancient Indian mantras and shlokas have been released and are making a big splash on social media.
Writer, Director, Media Strategist, TEDx speaker & Environment Activist
A sought-after Writer, Director, Media Strategist, sought-after TEDx speaker, Life Coach, Social Entrepreneur, Gender-Animal and Environment Activist, and one of the driving forces behind the Make Earth Green Again MEGA Foundation, Pawsitive Farm Sanctuary, and Zindagi Helpline, Dr. Anusha Srinivasan Iyer is a woman of multiple facets!
Best known as a Firebrand Journalist with a golden heart, Dr. Anusha is
a Global Award-winning Writer-Director. Her ‘Saare Sapne Apne Hain’, a film on
child labour, hope and happiness, won rave reviews across borders winning over
128 awards and having been screened in over 150 national as well as
international film festivals!
Her organisation, Make Earth Green Again, MEGA Foundation, strives to
protect the planet with a mission to reverse the environmental damage caused by
mankind. She, in her myriad ways, not only repaints the Earth green but also
mobilises and inspires the youth to stand up for the same!
Director, Editor & Ad Filmmaker
An Italian filmmaker and director, Andrea Fortis focuses on shooting commercials as well as documentaries between Rome and Milan. Andrea fell in love with photography and the stage at an early age. He moved to Milan from Rome when he was barely 17 and for the next three years, attended the acting school of Raul Manso (Strasberg method), where he improved his acting skills following and working with artists like Susan Batson, Luca Stetur, Elisabetta Faleni, Elisabetta Pogliani and Cristina Pezzoli.
Later having studied Communication Design at the Politecnico of Milan, he
started his professional journey in the world of television editing and then as
a camera operator working with some of the reputed Italian TV companies
(Mediaset, sky, Magnolia) in the production of commercials, documentaries,
television programs and web series.
In 2011, he moved to London to perfect his film studies at the London
Film Academy as a director. He also attended the Fare Cinema high
specialization course held by Marco Bellocchio in the city of Bobbio, to focus
his work as a director on shooting commercials and video clips. On completion
he returned to Italy and directed several works including the short documentary White Oil in collaboration with Italian writer Giovanni Gastel, and
songwriter and author Nicolò Agliardi.
In 2013 he came to India where, as co-director and editor, he shot his
feature film Red Rain in Malayalam language. This is the first
science-fiction film entirely made in India and distributed throughout the
Indian market. His City of Mermaids which has won several awards
globally has also been the recipient of the Rai Cinema and MYmovies Awards at
the Visioni dal Mondo festival. Nowadays he is currently writing a
feature film based on a true story between South America and the Azores Islands
and working on a documentary named Chic and Fabulous.
A French classical musician/music composer and dancer/choreographer, writer, film maker and actor, Raghunath Manet is trained in Bharatanatyam and plays the Veena, a Carnatic instrument. He has collaborated with Gilberto Gil, Aldo Brizzi, American Jazz musician Archie Shepp, American dancer Carolyn Carlson, French performers such as Richard Galliano, Didier Lockwood and Michel Portal and Indian musician Dr Balamurali Krishna and Drums Sivamani.
Raghunath Manet has performed all over the world. He has appeared at
special events for Cartier, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Chanel, Lagerfeld and other
iconic brands. In 2017 Dr. Manet received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award
(PBSA) 2017 presented by the President of India during the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
celebrations in Bengaluru, recognizing Dr. Manet's contributions promoting
Indian arts and culture in France. Other accolades include the Officier
des Arts et des Lettres (2016) and the Chevalier des Arts et des
Lettres from the French Ministry of Culture, the GOPIO Community Service
Award in Jaipur, India (2011), and the Best Performer Award during the 2014
Chennai Music and Dance Festival. In 2023, Raghunath received the Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Pondicherry.
Raghunath Manet has acted in several films: Noni, le fruit de l'espoir
by Alain Williams with Robert Hossein, Diamant Noir by Arthur Harari, Le
journal d'un séducteur by Daniel Dubroux with Jean-Pierre Léaud and Chiara
Mastroianni, and Perduto Amor by Franco Battiato. His work as a filmmaker
includes the Documentary Films Dance of Shiva & The Bayadères of Pondicherry, Short
Films Karma & Yoga, the 7th Chakra as well as a
Mobile Film Réincarnation/ rebirth. His debut fiction film Retour A Pondichéry (Back to Pondichery) is making waves on the global circuit having
won several international Awards.
Filmmaker, Storyteller, Visionary
Dhiraj Kashyap began his cinematic journey in the 1990s as an Assistant Director under the acclaimed filmmaker Jahnu Barua. Over the years, he has carved a distinguished niche in Assamese cinema, contributing a rich body of work spanning feature films, documentaries, and television serials for Prasar Bharati and the Government of Assam.
A prolific director, Kashyap’s feature films include Mohamukti, Dhan
Kuberor Dhan, Lokabondhoo, Amateurs, and Brahmakannya—each a testament to his commitment
to socially rooted, emotionally resonant storytelling.
With a career built on passion, perseverance, and purpose; his film
Mohamukti won multiple accolades at the State Film Awards, including Best Film,
Best Director, Best Male Actor, and Best Makeup Artist. His film Lokabondhoo
won Best Male Actor and Best Makeup Artist at the Prag Cine Awards. His
documentary Birubala – The Fearless Crusader, and feature films Amateurs &
Brahmakannya, have all been recognized with awards, further establishing him as
a vital voice in regional cinema.
As Dhiraj Kashyap continues to illuminate the cultural and human
stories of Assam through the lens of cinema, his popular serial Bhola Borar
Dinlipi (DD Guwahati) won both Best Director and Best Serial at the prestigious
Jyoti Rupa Awards. He was honoured with the Gandhian Philosophy Award by Prasar
Bharati, New Delhi for his documentary Mukti Sangram, further solidifying his
reputation as a filmmaker with a strong social conscience. His documentary The
Light received a Certificate of Merit at the same festival.
Actor, Writer, Lyricist & Director
Sanjeev Virmani (Pompy) is a multifaceted artist—an accomplished actor, writer, lyricist, and director—with over 15 years of dedicated involvement in amateur and professional theatre. His passion for the stage has been the cornerstone of his artistic journey, shaping his understanding of performance, storytelling, and human emotion.
Sanjeev's screen presence gained national recognition through his work
in some of Indian television’s most iconic serials, particularly under the
Balaji Telefilms banner like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahaani Ghar Ghar
Ki, Kutumb, Kkusum, and several others—earning him a loyal fan following and
industry respect.
His foray into cinema includes roles in notable Hindi films such as
Excuse Me and the critically acclaimed historical drama 23rd March 1931:
Shaheed. He was also featured in the Discovery of India series, further
establishing his versatility as an actor capable of navigating both historical
narratives and contemporary characters.
Venturing into production, Sanjeev founded C Thru Entertainment, a
creative venture that has produced engaging content across mediums. His
portfolio includes ad films for R Pure Spices, IVF hospitals, and other
commercial clients, balancing artistic flair with strategic messaging.
Currently, Sanjeev is developing his first short film for the
international festival circuit, marking an exciting new chapter in his creative
career. With a keen eye for human stories and a deep-rooted connection to
theatre, his upcoming work promises to reflect both emotional depth and
cinematic craft.
Chairman, Festival Jury & Director
