Founder president of Women in Film and Television Association India (WIFTAI) Petrina D'Rozario puts it in a nutshell when she says, “In India, it begins and ends with wanting to be an actor.” And the WIFTAI, launched today, is here to change exactly that.
As a part of the Women in Film and Television international network, this non-profit organisation aims to give female technicians and professionals in the screen media a stronger platform — locally and globally. “We are trying to push the technical side. Why can we count the number of only female DOPs or light technicians on our fingertips? We need to have more women on the sets,” says D’Rozario, who is a trained documentary filmmaker and producer.
Currently, the association has, on its advisory board filmmaker Kiran Rao, film critic Anupama Chopra, television producer Ashwini Yardi, scriptwriter Sooni Taraporevala and TV 18 co-founder Vandana Malik, among other professionals.
“The idea is to make it more interactive and not a web-based organisation,” says D'Rozario, adding, “There is a clear benefit for the members. Those who are looking out to network internationally can be connected via us to the 44 existing chapters around the world. As an indie filmmaker, I have access to a huge directory that way.”
With a membership charge of R500 for students and R1,000 per year for professionals, the body will also allow amateurs to attend workshops and internships. However, those who apply for membership will be screened in advance.
“There'll be an influx because India’s way bigger in terms of the number of people, that’s why we want to see what the members’ requirements are, how many want to be producers and so on,” she says, adding, “We want to be able to help those who need it.”
With a membership charge of R500 for students and R1,000 per year for professionals, the body will also allow amateurs to attend workshops and internships. However, those who apply for membership will be screened in advance.
“There'll be an influx because India’s way bigger in terms of the number of people, that’s why we want to see what the members’ requirements are, how many want to be producers and so on,” she says, adding, “We want to be able to help those who need it.”