Mrs’. Director Arati Kadav Joins FilmKaravan Sponsored Bandra Film Festival’s Advisory Board

Arati Kadav has earned widespread acclaim for films including Mrs. (2023), Cargo (2019) and 55 km/sec (2020). Her addition to the Advisory Board marks another significant step in FilmKaravan's mission to create meaningful platforms for independent filmmakers while fostering conversations around contemporary cinema.

Speaking about joining the Advisory Board, Arati Kadav, Writer, Director, Filmmaker said, "I am very passionate about short films and independent films as they are a significant way through which new voices, new ideas enter our industry. It's amazing that the Bandra Film Festival is going strong for so many years now and providing an amazing platform to many filmmakers and amazing opportunities for viewers to discover great films which they had otherwise not found. I am extremely delighted to join the festival as an Advisory Board member and hope we can bring the spotlight on amazing unique films."

FilmKaravan and Arati Kadav have had a long-standing association hinged on shared creative vision amplifying independent storytelling. Kadav's directorial venture Uss Paar marked the opening of the festival in it's launch year 2021. FilmKaravan has also distributed her films like Cargo and Time Machine on platforms like TVOD and OTT.

Pooja Kohli Taneja, Festival Director, Bandra Film Festival shared, "Bandra Film Festival was envisioned as a year-round home for meaningful cinema, where exceptional films can continue to be discovered and celebrated beyond the constraints of traditional festival timelines. From uncovering overlooked gems and revisiting remarkable works from the past to championing fresh voices and unconventional narratives, our mission is to ensure that powerful stories find the audiences they deserve. We believe that every film has a journey and every filmmaker deserves the opportunity to connect with new audiences. At its heart, Bandra Film Festival is not just a platform for films-it is a space where storytellers, audiences and ideas come together to keep the spirit of cinema alive throughout the year."

Continuing its expansion across Mumbai, Bandra Film Festival will next host a specially curated screening at Houdini, Lower Parel, on 13th July, 7pm. The evening will feature three thriller and suspense short films perfectly aligned with the vibe of Houdini - Amar Aaj Marega (Hindi), directed by Rajat Kariya, Full & Final (Hindi-English), directed by Sohit Khanna and Click (Hindi-English), directed by Ojas Deshpande. The screening reflects BFF's programming philosophy of curating genre/theme-focused experiences that encourage audience engagement and post-screening conversations.

Sonali Bawa Malhotra, Head of FilmKaravan, "At FilmKaravan, we are passionate about supporting independent cinema and creating opportunities for emerging and promising filmmakers to showcase their work. Our collaborations with unique venues help us create immersive cinematic experiences that go beyond screenings, fostering a vibrant and welcoming community of filmmakers, artists and film enthusiasts united by their love for storytelling. Through every screening, discussion and collaboration, our goal is to strengthen connections within the filmmaking community and inspire a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling."

In its bid to create a dynamic ecosystem, alongside on-ground initiatives, BFF is steadily building a strong digital presence as well for independent filmmakers through collaborations with platforms such as Pocket Films, expanding the shelf life and distribution channels for each film.

Namrata Grewal, Marketing and Programming, Bandra Film Festival, "Films are showcased through fortnightly releases on our channel as well as immersive physical screenings. Filmmakers connect with us through our website and social media platforms. We strongly believe that every story, whether one minute or thirty, has something meaningful to say: to spark engagement, encourage conversation, and offer audiences a rich and memorable cinematic experience."

About FilmKaravan : FilmKaravan is a new age production house dedicated to championing visionary voices and emerging talent, developing distinctive, high-quality content rooted in Indian stories for audiences worldwide. Its debut series, Delhi Crime (Netflix), premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival in the Indie Episodic category and went on to win the Best Drama Series at the 48th International Emmy Awards, marking India's first win in the category. The critically acclaimed second season was released in August 2022, while Season 3 released in November 2025. FilmKaravan's first feature film, 'What Are the Odds?', co-produced with Abhay Deol, premiered as the closing night gala film at the 2019 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles and was released on Netflix in May 2020 to widespread acclaim.

About Bandra Film Festival: Since it's inception in 2021, Bandra Film Festival (BFF) is an independent film platform dedicated to discovering, showcasing and championing emerging and established filmmakers from India and around the world. Through year round theme based curated online screenings, community-driven events and experiential on-ground programming, BFF creates opportunities for independent stories to find audiences while fostering meaningful free flowing conversations around cinema. Having showcased over 180 films and counting, across its digital and physical platforms, BFF continues to build an inclusive community that celebrates creative excellence, artistic freedom and the power of storytelling.