IFFLA Film Fund Announces Development Grant Finalists

(Los Angeles, CA, December 17, 2009) The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) has announced the ten finalists for the first annual IFFLA Film Fund Development Grant. Finalists will receive Final Draft and Sony Creative software and IFFLA will submit a dossier of their projects for consideration to a group of selected entertainment agencies, and production and distribution companies in the U.S. The winner will be announced in January and will receive a $10,000 grant. The recipient of the IFFLA Film Fund Development Grant will be chosen by a jury of respected screenwriters, including Gill Dennis (WALK THE LINE, THE TATOOED SOLDIER), Anurag Kashyap (DEV D, GULAAL, BLACK FRIDAY), and Sooni Taraporevala (SALAAM BOMBAY!, THE NAMESAKE, LITTLE ZIZOU).

After receiving over 70 grant submissions, Executive Director Christina Marouda pronounced, "This is a robust indicator that IFFLA has become an institution that is recognized as a vital resource for filmmakers of Indian descent." Marouda further stated that, "the diversity of projects and talent represented in the finalist selection reveals where Indian cinema is heading and how our organization can play a critical role in the creation of content with worldwide appeal."