Salil Jason Fernandez, a 27-year-old film-maker from Bandra, Mumbai has won the Outstanding Producer/Director award in the Students Project category at the Global Art Film Festival (GAFFERS) held in Sacramento, California last month. The award supports and encourages young film-makers, directors and scriptwriters from all over the world to make their best creative contributions.
His film titled
The Mole was nominated at the International Film Festival of India, (Goa, December 2008) but did not win any award. Now his film has also got a nomination at the Shanghai International Film Festival which is scheduled to take place on 13th June, 2009. “I made this film when I did my MA course in filmmaking from The London Film School in year 2007. I think what really clicked with the judges was the open-minded screen play. It made them realise the multiple possibilities the end could have,” he says.
Salil believes that it’s the quality of the screen play that can really make a different to good film. “I think we in India totally underestimate the intelligence of the audience. That’s why end up making lots of mediocre films. If we change this thinking I am sure Indian films will be winning Oscars very soon,” he says.
In 2008, he launched his home production house in Bollywood, Salil Jason Motion Pictures. He is currently writing two feature screenplays and works closely with filmmaker buddies — Patrick Graham and Benjamin Enebi. As a group they aspire to make good quality films in the Hindi film industry.
