NAFA x Pitch Cafe | Building a Global Marathi Film Ecosystem from Silicon Valley
Pitch Cafe Podcast · Vidyangi S. Patil (Vida)
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Show Notes
In this episode, I sit down with NAFA co-founder Riya Thosar to explore how a group of tech professionals is reshaping the future of Marathi cinema in North America. 🔥
"Trailblazer" is the word for NAFA 2025!
What happens when Silicon Valley’s top tech minds decide to revolutionize Marathi cinema in North America? You get NAFA—North American Film Association—building a creative ecosystem for the diaspora, by the diaspora.
Last year, NAFA Film Festival 2024 brought legends like Sachin & Supriya Pilgaonkar, Subodh & Ashwini Bhave, and Mahesh & Medha Manjrekar to San Jose. Masterclasses, panels, auditions, and the premiere of films like “Paani” made it a dream come true. NAFA didn’t just celebrate cinema—they produced 3 local short films and distributed 9 Marathi movies across the US and Canada, partnering with giants like Jio & Everest1.
What’s new for 2025?
• Student Spotlight: A new short film competition for university students—empowering the next generation of creators.
• NAFA Radio: Launching Bali 92.3 FM to amplify Marathi voices and masterclasses.
• Award Night & Book Launch: A star-studded ceremony and a special launch with Amol Palekar. • Biggest Lineup Yet: Icons like Amol Palekar, Mohan Agashe, Madhur Bhandarkar, Mahesh Kothare, and more.
NAFA stands on 3 pillars:
• Production: Creating original content with local and diaspora talent.
• Distribution: Bringing Marathi films to mainstream North American theaters.
• Celebration: Hosting festivals, masterclasses, and community events. Ready to be part of the movement? Join the volunteer team or register for the festival at NorthAmericanFilmAssociation.org.
#NAFA2025 #Trailblazer #MarathiCinema #PitchCafe #RiyaThosar #VidaVidyangiPatil
👉 Don’t miss the next big leap for global Indian cinema!