Annual Indian Film Festival of Houston
Aug 3, 2010 Bollywood, Film, Non-Profit, Social Hour
September is just around the corner and that means it is time to gear up for the Indian Film Festival of Houston. “This will be the second Indian Film Festival and all I can say is that it will be bigger and better,” says Sutapa Ghosh, Festival Director.
The Indian Film Festival of Houston (IFFH) is a nonprofit organization devoted to creating a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing quality films that honor entertainment industry performers and film makers while promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian Diaspora through an annual event.
“We have received 75 submissions of feature films, documentaries and shorts of which 15 will be chosen to be shown during the festival,” added Ms Ghosh.
The second Annual Indian Film Festival of Houston (IFFH) will take place from September 22nd to 26th, 2010 at Studio Movie Grill, 805 Town & Country Lane, Houston TX 77024.
IFFH showcases a combination of features, shorts films and documentaries. The Festival provides programming and activities that no other film festival in Houston offers and serves a community of Indian and international filmmakers that has the potential of reaching a crossover audience. IFFH offers the Houston community a unique opportunity to learn about India’s multi-faceted culture and long history of filmmaking. During the weekdays there will be four showings and during weekends there will be eight.
The Award’s Night will be held on Sunday, September 26, 2010 at the Royal Oaks Country Club, located at 2910 Royal Oaks Club Dr, Houston, TX 77082.
Lights Camera Action will be there to capture all the details from the Opening Night Cocktail till the closing Night Gala.
For more information please call 713-260-9630 or visit www.iffhinc.org.
Tags: iffh
Indian Inspired Ballet La Bayadère
Mar 1, 2010 Arts, Bollywood, Fine Arts, Social Hour
Venue: Brown Theater at Wortham Theater Center
Date: February -- March 2010
It is clear that anything Indian and Bollywood is now sure to create a stir, with the world premiere of Stanton Welch’s La Bayadère in Houston, Texas, India did not have to struggle much to be in the limelight.
La Bayadère opened in Houston on February 25th 2010 and will be playing at the Wortham Theater till March 7, 2010. A two and a half hour ballet set in the Royal India of the past, La Bayadère is a story of eternal love, mystery, fate, vengeance, and justice. The ballet relates the drama of a temple dancer (Bayadère), Nikiya, who is loved by Solor, a noble warrior. She is also loved by the High Brahmin, but does not love him in return, as she does Solor.
A must see for ballet lovers or any one with a good taste for music, dance and extraordinary costumes and grandeur. As the audience enters the hall they are treated with a gorgeous Indian palace-like backdrop with domes reminiscent of the Taj Mahal. The sexy Bollywood inspired costumes with fantasy like images and decor gives the ballet a fresh look.
Tags: Ballet, La Bayadère
Indian Film Festival of Houston 2009
Nov 11, 2009 Bollywood, Film, Gala, Non-Profit, Social Hour
Event: Indian Film Festival of Houston Closing Night Gala
Venue: Intercontinental Hotel, Houston, Texas
Date: September 26, 2009
Highlights from the first Indian Film Festival of Houston. Interviews with Deepti Naval, Manisha Koirala, Iqbal Khan, and Sonu Nigam.
Celebrating Indian Film Festival of Houston
Sep 29, 2009 Bollywood, Celebration, Film, Fund Raiser, Gala, Non-Profit, Social Hour
Event: Indian Film Festival of Houston Closing Night Gala
Venue: Intercontinental Hotel, Houston, Texas
Date: September 26, 2009
Report: Ruchi Mukherjee
Photography: Ajay Sarpeshkar
Houston finally concluded a week long celebration of Indian cinema with a celebrity gala held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Houston,
Ruchi M with Actress Manisha Koirala
Texas on September 26, 2009. After ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ made a mark at the Oscars, Houston based film maker Sutapa Gosh felt that the time was right to give Houstonians a taste of Indian cinema. The film festival kicked-off with a reception party at Hotel Sorella Citycenter and showcased a few selected Indian films at Studio Movie Grill from September 21-25, 2009.
The Indian Film Festival of Houston is a non-profit organization devoted to creating a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by show casing quality films. The First Annual Indian Film Festival of Houston brought the best films made in different regional languages. A feast including ten feature-length movies, short films and documentaries. Screenings included Smile Pinki, an award-winning documentary about an impoverished girl whose life is changed by free surgery, bengali film ‘Janala’, Deepti Naval’s ‘Do paise ki dhoop Chaar aane ki baarish’ and Student Academy Awards Winner ‘Kavi’ by Gregg Helvey.
Gregg Helvey winner of the film Kavi
The festival was enjoyed by an international audience that featured question and answer sessions with directors, cast and the audience.
Friday evening saw the biggest crowds as Deepti Naval, Manisha Koirala and others showed up at Studio Movie Grill. The week wrapped with a star studded red carpet high profile celebrity gala which had 400 plus in attendance. The main highlight of the evening were the fashion statements of the guests at the gala.
Dr. Carolyn Farb’s mauve attire ‘lehenga’ (an Indian outfit) was quite a show stopper. Joanne King Herring who as usual never failed to impress with her warm personality and exotic costume. Dressed in gold, Joanne not only turned many heads but honored the theme of the celebrity gala. However, the very beautiful bollywood actress Manisha Koirala who charmed the guests with her personality did little with her outfit and looks. “It seems like she just rolled out of bed” says an onlooker. Deepti did maintain her directorial personality with a classy Indian saree.
Pretty in Mauve Carolyn Farb
Others present at the gala were Pop singer and India’s best playback singer Sonu Nigam, and model/television actor Mohammed Iqbal Khan.
Proceeds from the festival and gala will benefit the Indian Film Festival of Houston and MediSend International, that supports under resourced hospitals in developing countries with a multi-dimentional approach to improving community health.
Makeover Masala
Aug 14, 2009 Bollywood, Fashion, Social Hour
India is turning 63 on August 15 and in its honor Mary Kay® & Lights Camera Action hosted a glamorous evening mixer on Saturday, August 1st, 2009 filled with makeovers, bollywood music, and Indian fashion.
Mark Shim, owner of Pradaria, a new Brazilian Churrascaria style restaurant on Westheimer, happily hosted the event. Chef Mark Shim prepared scrumptious appetizers for the guests, and believes in hosting many such events as it increases awareness of different cultures.
Socialite and friend to the Indian American community, Yuki Rogers, also expressed her best wishes on India ’s Independence celebration. “I am thrilled to be at this event that highlights Indian fashion,” says Yuki.
More than 40 fashion enthusiasts participated to enjoy the chic cocktail party as Mary Kay® correspondent, Tiffany, taught everything that one needed to know about a flawless skin and a glamorous look. “It was wonderful to experiment with Indian skin types, I had to do some research with Bollywood cinema to give that glamour look,” added Tiffany.
Lights Camera Action (www.rmrmedia.com), a multimedia production site tracking the South Asian lifestyle scene in Houston, also turned one on August 1st 2009. “I was thrilled to see women from different walks of life come together and celebrate India’s Independence Day with Indian fashion,” says Ruchi Mukherjee, Journalist/Host, Lights Camera Action. The event turned out to be a success as the idea was to promote Indian fashion that is so much in vogue,” added Mukherjee. “I am looking forward to hosting many more such fun evenings,” says Ruchi.
Makeover Masala
Jul 20, 2009 Bollywood, Fashion, Social Hour, Your Look
India’s Independence Day is around the corner and in its honor Mary Kay & Lights Camera Action invites you to a glamorous evening filled with makeovers, informal Indian fashion show by our very own guests, bollywood music and appetizers.
Ladies, don’t miss this event, as Mary Kay correspondent, Tiffany teaches everything you need to know about a flawless glamorous look. And we are sure that all you men don’t want to miss that look.
Mix, mingle, pose and get featured by your TV Asia Houston correspondent Ruchi Mukherjee.
Contact Ruchi for more information.
Tags: Fashion
Bayou City Art Festival
Apr 7, 2009 Bollywood, Fine Arts, Music
Event: Bayou City Art Festival
Venue: Memorial Park, Houston, Texas
It was perfect weather for an outdoor art festival as Houston celebrated the 12th Annual Bayou City Art Festival at Memorial Park and transformed the 1.1-mile trail of the park into a one-of-a-kind outdoor gallery.
The festival kicked off on Friday March 27 through March 29, 2009. The festival witnessed the perfect marriage of art, culture, and cuisine. On the closing day of the festival, India was highlighted with performances by SAMSKRITI, Society for Indian Performing Arts. The students performed bharatnatyam (Indian form of dance) and the finale was ‘Jai Ho’ from Oscar winning movie ‘Slumdog Millioanire’.
The weather did play a vital role in keeping the enthusiasm going for onlookers, the parking situation however, was a big turn off. The directional signage also left a lot to be desired.
The festival showcased spectacular artwork with high flying price tags but that did not slow down the visitors, as the festival had many other attractions. The center stage thrilled the audience with all kinds of performances. From Bollywood dancing, fusion of Latin and Jazz grooves to Belladonna Dancers.
Talking Points | Slumdog Millionaire
Feb 6, 2009 Bollywood, Talking Points
Hollywood film Slumdog Millionaire’s recent success sparked controversies and debates amongst people around the globe. Americans loved it while some Indians raised eyebrows.
Before the movie walks the red carpet of the 2009 Oscars Awards, Lights Camera Action hosted a discussion with a panel consisting of a diverse group from the world of cinema, art, education, and journalism.
Watch the three part show (31:40), and feel free to leave your opinion in the comments section.
Tags: Bollywood, Discussion, Slumdog Millionaire, Talking Points
A Night in Bollywood
Jan 24, 2009 Bollywood, Fashion, Your Look
Event: A Night in Bollywood
Venue: Momentum BMW West, Houston
Momentum BMW West was the location of ‘a night in bollywood’ organized by Envy Magazine. The Bollywood inspired event treated guests to view luxury cars, a bollywood dance performance by a local troupe, and a high energy fashion show sponsored by Ed Hardy and Guess.
The night was a treat for those into cars and clothes, as well as some ‘bollywood’ first timers! Amongst those interviewed were Alejandra Mejia with Envy, Riyad Abu-Taha, and local Katy residents Aru and Radha Nadesan.
The Unforgettable Tour – Houston 2008
Aug 4, 2008 Bollywood, Conference
Event: Unforgettable Tour Houston Press Conference 2008 (w/video)
Report: Ruchi M
TV Asia
{Video-Courtesy TV Asia}
Houston: It was a star studded evening on August 1, 2008 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Houston, Texas where a press conference was organized by the CEO of Star Promotions Inc, Rajender. “It will be a historic event on Saturday at the Toyota Center and also my dream comes true”, says he.
Even though the conference did not start on time enthusiasm was at its peak. Almost after an hour of its scheduled time dressed in a white blazer and denim jeans stepped in the angry young man of Bollywood, Amitabh Bachchan. Followed him the dancing queen Madhuri Dixit also former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with husband and actor Abhishek Bachchan.
Jeans was definitely the uniform for the stars that evening with a choice to pair it up with different color shirt or jacket. My camera surely was in love with
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