Try GOLD - Free
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM FILMY FRIENDS
The Morning Standard
|October 19, 2025
Established filmmakers are stepping up to help first-timers with creative feedback, production, distribution, and outreach. The help is particularly appreciated in the documentary and indie film circuits
HE most radical of creative efforts are often the quietest. Like the first edition of a pioneering creative producing lab for South Asian documentary filmmakers, Doc Producing South, that took place in early September in Delhi.
Co-founded by Anirban Dutta and An-upama Srinivasan, the makers of Sun-dance-winning Nocturnes, it aims to nurture young documentary talent through peer-driven mentorship. Eight selected projects went through an intensive workshop that covered the gamut—proposal development, budgeting, financing, distribution strategies, contracts and rights negotiation—with guidance from celebrated documentary names like Shau-nak Sen (All That Breathes, Cities of Sleep), and Rintu Thomas and Sushmit Ghosh (Writing With Fire). The collective also includes Payal Kapadia, cinematographer Ranabir Das, filmmakers Arya Rothe and Arun Bhattarai, and producer and programmer Anu Rangachar.
“It’s like how in academics you send a paper for peer review,” says Dutta of the model that is all about sharing, supporting, and generosity. “The established makers came with an open heart, to give back whatever they had got from their journeys,” he says.
This story is from the October 19, 2025 edition of The Morning Standard.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Morning Standard
The Morning Standard
Vance, Bibi stress cooperation as ceasefire efforts continue
AS top US officials and envoys visit Israel this week to try to bolster the Gaza ceasefire agreement, Vice President JD Vance sought on Wednesday to publicly ease concerns within Israel that the Trump administration was dictating terms to its closest ally in the region.
1 min
October 23, 2025

The Morning Standard
6 lakh Amazon jobs on the line as robots step in
AMAZON.COM plans to replace more than 6,00,000 employees with robots over the next decade in the US, The New York Times reported on Tuesday, citing internal documents.
1 min
October 23, 2025
The Morning Standard
Punjabi singer shot at in Canada, gangster aides claim responsibility
PUNJABI singer Teji Kahlon was shot at in Canada and associates of gangster Rohit Godara have claimed responsibility for the attack.
1 min
October 23, 2025
The Morning Standard
Trump nuances stance on India’s Russian oil buy
US prez says Modi isn’t going to buy much
1 mins
October 23, 2025
The Morning Standard
Only joint secy, DGP can order removal of social media content
STARTING November 1, only senior officials of the rank of joint secretaries or directors general of police can issue orders to social media platforms to remove unlawful content.
1 min
October 23, 2025
The Morning Standard
With Kumbh memory still fresh, railways creates tiered zones at NDLS
WITH Chhath Puja and the Bi-har election around the corner, the New Delhi railway station is gearing up for a massive rush of passengers heading majorly to Bihar, along with eastern Ut-tar Pradesh and nearby areas.
2 mins
October 23, 2025
The Morning Standard
Rain puts a dampener on NZ’s best laid plans
IN the last week or so, New Zealand captain Sophie Devine was seen playing with a mosquito bat in the dressing room at the RS Premadasa Stadium in Colombo and a sparkler, a type of firecracker, during Deepavali celebrations here in the city. But not so much with the bat.
3 mins
October 23, 2025

The Morning Standard
NZ stand between India & future
Hosts are staring at danger after 3 losses; they'll be hoping for a turn in fortunes today
3 mins
October 23, 2025
The Morning Standard
Talks with govt constructive: Leh team
IN ONE OR TWO MEETINGS’
1 mins
October 23, 2025

The Morning Standard
SINGING FOR MANIPUR
For over a decade, folk-rock ensemble Imphal Talkies and the Howlers have turned the sound of protest into melody, chronicling the realities of Manipur through song. Meet its frontman Akhu Chingangbam.
3 mins
October 23, 2025
Listen
Translate
Change font size