MICA Ahmedabad has introduced a new creative fellowship aimed at supporting filmmakers from marginalised communities. The MICA x Aranya Sahay Creative Fellowship provides funding, mentorship, and access to professional resources to help these filmmakers develop and complete their projects.
- Up to five filmmakers will be selected through an open application process.
- Selected fellows receive an upfront grant and access to MICA's post-production facilities.
- The fellowship includes a week-long program featuring interactions with prominent cinema professionals.
- The initiative aims to amplify underrepresented voices in Indian cinema.
What is the MICA x Aranya Sahay Creative Fellowship?
The fellowship is a collaborative effort between MICA Ahmedabad and filmmaker Aranya Sahay. It is designed to support filmmakers from marginalised communities by providing financial assistance, mentorship, and access to industry resources. The goal is to help these filmmakers bring their unique stories to the screen and promote diversity in storytelling.
Who can apply for the fellowship?
Filmmakers at various stages of their projects—development, production, or post-production—are eligible to apply. The fellowship will select up to five filmmakers through an open application process, focusing on those from underrepresented backgrounds.
What support do fellows receive?
Each selected filmmaker receives an upfront grant to support their project. They also participate in a week-long fellowship at MICA's Ahmedabad campus. During this time, fellows gain access to MICA's post-production facilities, allowing them to continue working on their films with professional support.
Who will the fellows interact with during the program?
The fellowship includes sessions with notable professionals from Indian and international cinema. Confirmed participants include filmmaker and producer Kabir Khan, filmmaker and producer Nikkhil Advani, and distributor and producer Prasad Shetty. Fellows will also engage with MICA faculty members and students, fostering valuable industry connections.
Why was this fellowship created?
Filmmaker Aranya Sahay highlighted the lack of representation of diverse social backgrounds in mainstream cinema. He noted that many stories come from a narrow range of perspectives, leaving large sections of India's population underrepresented. The fellowship aims to address barriers such as funding, resources, and distribution that marginalised filmmakers often face.
"This fellowship is our attempt to change that by addressing some of the key barriers young filmmakers, particularly those from marginalized communities, face in accessing funding, resources and distribution. It is an honour to be able to build this initiative with MICA." — Aranya Sahay
What is MICA's vision for this fellowship?
Jaya Deoras Deshmukh, MICA Director and CEO, emphasized the importance of providing opportunities alongside creativity. She stated that the fellowship is a step toward nurturing voices that challenge familiar narratives and bring fresh perspectives to Indian cinema. The initiative reflects MICA's commitment to expanding the understanding of India and its people through diverse storytelling.
By offering resources, mentorship, and industry connections, the MICA x Aranya Sahay Creative Fellowship seeks to empower filmmakers from underrepresented communities to share their stories with wider audiences. This initiative represents a significant move toward inclusivity and diversity in Indian filmmaking.
