Interview of Ankit Kadam
CCMA: What initially sparked your passion for filmmaking?
Ankit: I’ve always been mesmerized by the experience of watching films—the way they can immerse you in different worlds and evoke deep emotions. That curiosity naturally led me to experiment with filmmaking myself. I started by creating short films in a very amateur way, learning through trial and error. Over time, those experiments helped me develop my skills, which eventually allowed me to direct more professional short films and ultimately create my first independent feature film. It’s been a gradual journey fueled by passion and a constant desire to tell meaningful stories.
CCMA: How do you approach securing funding for your independent projects?
Ankit: Currently, I support myself as a filmmaker, which allows me to maintain creative control over my projects. At the same time, I’m actively seeking to collaborate with more professional producers and partners who can bring additional resources and expertise to help elevate my work. Building these relationships is important to me as I look to expand the scope and impact of my future films.
CCMA: What strategies do you utilize to get your films seen by a wider audience?
Ankit: I actively submit my films to a variety of film festivals, which helps them reach engaged audiences and industry professionals. Additionally, I leverage social media and online video-sharing platforms to connect directly with viewers worldwide. Combining these approaches allows me to broaden the reach of my work and engage with diverse audiences.
CCMA: How do you leverage social media and online platforms to connect with your audience?
Ankit: I regularly share updates and behind-the-scenes content on my movies’ social media pages to keep followers engaged and informed. Additionally, I collaborated with artists who have a wider reach than I do, which helps increase the visibility of my projects and connect with new audiences.
CCMA: What are some of the most valuable lessons you've learned in your filmmaking journey so far?
Ankit: One of the most important lessons I've learned is that you should create films you genuinely want to see on screen. However, this is easier said than done. Translating a script into compelling visuals requires much more than just ideas and imagination—it demands careful execution. I’ve realized that execution is truly the key to bringing a film to life and making it resonate with audiences.
CCMA: Are you currently working on any new projects you'd like to share about?
Ankit: I’ve a few projects in mind but I’m not quite ready to share the details yet.
CCMA: In your opinion, what are the biggest opportunities and challenges facing independent cinema today?
Ankit: Independent cinema is truly shining today thanks to the unprecedented reach filmmakers can achieve through the internet and social media platforms. This accessibility is the biggest opportunity for filmmakers of this generation, allowing stories to find audiences worldwide. At the same time, this vast digital landscape creates a challenge—there’s so much noise and content out there that it can be difficult for meaningful films to stand out and reach the right viewers. Filtering through this noise to connect with an engaged audience is one of the key hurdles we face.
CCMA: How do you plan to adapt your approach to distribution as new technologies emerge?
Ankit: To be honest, I’m still learning the distribution side of filmmaking. However, I’m very open to embracing new technologies as they develop, and I believe staying adaptable and curious will be key. I’m eager to explore innovative platforms and strategies that can help my films reach wider and more diverse audiences.
