When Jay Met Ammar
Many young people in India and Pakistan grew up hearing stories from older generations of the great wealth they claim to have left behind when the partition forced them to migrate. In this story, we meet Ammar from Pakistan, who calls on the Indian student Jay for urgent help in recovering what could be a left-behind treasure. Exploring a historical phenomenon in a dramatic journey, the film exhibits the overarching idea of the Indo-Pak bond, and the trust and deep-rooted connection among the people of India and Pakistan that itself, is also often hidden, but not unretrievable.
Film Makers
Harshwardhan Patil
Harshwardhan J Patil cinematographer, Producer and founder of Harsha Films PVT LTD based in Mumbai graduated from whistling woods international in 2015 with more than 6 years of experience in cinematography.
Zainab Nasir
Zainab Nasir is a film grad from the University of Karachi, Visual studies department. A street photographer by passion and a filmmaker by profession, she has set out to tell everyday stories of everyday people. She has won multiple awards and titles and has worked with British Council, USAID, CWSA, Karachi Biennale Trust and various national and international entities. She’s currently a photography lecturer and a freelance filmmaker. She has based her career on travelling and is known for her work across the country.
Vijay Tomar
Vijay Tomar is a Mumbai-based cinematographer registered under Western India Cinematographers Association. His passion for narrative-driven imagery has helped him find new meaning in the work to tell stories. In the last seven years, he has worked on feature films, web series, several shorts, documentaries, commercials and music videos.
His first feature ‘Vilom’ as a cinematographer was screened at Festival De Cannes- Marche Du Film online 2020 and was released in the USA by TLA Releasing USA (Now Streaming on Amazon Prime Videos USA UK). The film also had its German premiere at the B3 Biennale of Moving Image Frankfurt 2020 and Indian Premier at I View World Human Rights Film Festival, India 2020. His short film ‘Kaala Teeka’ 2021 had its official selection at IFFNY- New York 2021 and it has also won Best Women Short Film Award at KIIFF -Delhi 2021. His recent short films ‘Durmig’ 2021 and ‘Bol Diyaan Unma’ 2021 both have their official selection at Dharamshala Film Festival 2021.
Website: www.vijaytomar.in
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11465374/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Vimeo : https://vimeo.com/vijaytomar
Ammar Ahmed
Ammar Ahmed Gul is the embodiment of a filmmaker with finesse. His experience includes nominations and accolades in the 48HR International Film Festival in the years 2018 and 2020, for the films “Teesra Qanoon” and “Aitebaar” respectively. He has worked as an assistant audio engineer, and assistant director and has stepped up to the role of director for short films and advertisements. A workhorse, his ability to shine under pressure has always made him a creative force and priority for the teams he works with. An upcoming local feature film titled “Madaari” is also under his belt. For him, the sky’s the limit.
Akshaya Sawant
Akshaya Sawant’s films explore the human experience of living in a complex society jaded by gender, culture and traditions. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a major in painting. Riding the popular trend of digital photography during her undergraduate years, her brother gifted her, her first DSLR camera to explore new avenues of art; at least that’s what she told him. However, it was when she created a stop motion animation film, Out Of Boredom, that she truly discovered her voice through the lens.
She is a Dean’s Fellow and received her MFA from Emerson College, Boston in May 2019. Her first feature documentary Talking To The Wind has received two grants from The Virgin Unite Social Impact Film Fund (2017 and 2018), won 8 prestigious awards, and screened at 16 International film festivals in over 7 countries. The US government has recognized her as an Individual with extraordinary ability, and she is currently selected for a film fellowship sponsored by the US consulate. When not working, she spends her time playing with her nephew, reading fiction and chasing sunsets.
Website: www.akshayasawant.com
Film Makers
Harshwardhan Patil
Harshwardhan J Patil cinematographer, Producer and founder of Harsha Films PVT LTD based in Mumbai graduated from whistling woods international in 2015 with more than 6 years of experience in cinematography.
Zainab Nasir
Zainab Nasir is a film grad from the University of Karachi, Visual studies department. A street photographer by passion and a filmmaker by profession, she has set out to tell everyday stories of everyday people. She has won multiple awards and titles and has worked with British Council, USAID, CWSA, Karachi Biennale Trust and various national and international entities. She’s currently a photography lecturer and a freelance filmmaker. She has based her career on travelling and is known for her work across the country.
Vijay Tomar
Vijay Tomar is a Mumbai-based cinematographer registered under Western India Cinematographers Association. His passion for narrative-driven imagery has helped him find new meaning in the work to tell stories. In the last seven years, he has worked on feature films, web series, several shorts, documentaries, commercials and music videos.
His first feature ‘Vilom’ as a cinematographer was screened at Festival De Cannes- Marche Du Film online 2020 and was released in the USA by TLA Releasing USA (Now Streaming on Amazon Prime Videos USA UK). The film also had its German premiere at the B3 Biennale of Moving Image Frankfurt 2020 and Indian Premier at I View World Human Rights Film Festival, India 2020. His short film ‘Kaala Teeka’ 2021 had its official selection at IFFNY- New York 2021 and it has also won Best Women Short Film Award at KIIFF -Delhi 2021. His recent short films ‘Durmig’ 2021 and ‘Bol Diyaan Unma’ 2021 both have their official selection at Dharamshala Film Festival 2021.
Website: www.vijaytomar.in
IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm11465374/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0
Vimeo : https://vimeo.com/vijaytomar
Ammar Ahmed
Ammar Ahmed Gul is the embodiment of a filmmaker with finesse. His experience includes nominations and accolades in the 48HR International Film Festival in the years 2018 and 2020, for the films “Teesra Qanoon” and “Aitebaar” respectively. He has worked as an assistant audio engineer, and assistant director and has stepped up to the role of director for short films and advertisements. A workhorse, his ability to shine under pressure has always made him a creative force and priority for the teams he works with. An upcoming local feature film titled “Madaari” is also under his belt. For him, the sky’s the limit.
Akshaya Sawant
Akshaya Sawant’s films explore the human experience of living in a complex society jaded by gender, culture and traditions. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a major in painting. Riding the popular trend of digital photography during her undergraduate years, her brother gifted her, her first DSLR camera to explore new avenues of art; at least that’s what she told him. However, it was when she created a stop motion animation film, Out Of Boredom, that she truly discovered her voice through the lens.
She is a Dean’s Fellow and received her MFA from Emerson College, Boston in May 2019. Her first feature documentary Talking To The Wind has received two grants from The Virgin Unite Social Impact Film Fund (2017 and 2018), won 8 prestigious awards, and screened at 16 International film festivals in over 7 countries. The US government has recognized her as an Individual with extraordinary ability, and she is currently selected for a film fellowship sponsored by the US consulate. When not working, she spends her time playing with her nephew, reading fiction and chasing sunsets.
Website: www.akshayasawant.com
