In 2008, BTC had over 3300 applicants from 120 countries. Of the final 350 selected, India has five participants. They speak for themselves about their selection and their expectations.

Bangalore-bred Nayantara Kotian, independent film director in Mumbai, is a NID graduate, specialising in Film and Video Communication Design. Her student documentary, One Show Less Being, Casting Shadows (her diploma film), both screened widely at festivals. Kotian says, “I knew of BTC some time ago and applied this year with an excerpt of my diploma film, Casting Shadows. This will be my first time in Europe. I am looking forward to meeting and working with the large number of talents from across the world”.

Manesh Madhavan, student cinematographer, based in Ernakulam, will participate in BTC as one among nine cinematographers. 1981-born FTII alumnus Madhavan graduated with Physics, and took his Masters in Communication and Journalism from Calicu University’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communication. At BTC, Madhavan will present his recent 17 minute documentary Rage: An Ode To The Color Of Devotion, a documentary on the Kodungalloor Bharani festival. He says, “At BCT, I want to learn about next generation platforms in high-definition Cinematography Vs 35mm Film/ Super 16 and further my wish to work on international co-productions.”

Bangalore-based Jatin Vidyarthi, Sound Designer/Composer, works in India and abroad as a freelance dj/producer/sound artist. Known as Masta Justi, Vidyarthi took his BA degree in Economics in Chennai, and his Diploma in Audio-Engineering from Sydney, Australia. He says, “I sent BTC an electronic track from my album Daaku Potato and was selected. My music can be defined as ambient/ minimal/ electronic/desi and cinematic in its nature”. At BTC, Vidhyarthi looks forward to connecting with filmmakers, sound experts, musicians, and music labels for future projects, saying, “Basically I hope it will springboard me to the next level.”

Sonal Shah D’Silva, Sound Designer/Composer, Mumbai, says “I will attend BTC as one of the three finalists of the Volkswagen Score Competition. I will work with sound professionals to develop and finalise my score which will then be recorded by a live orchestra in Berlin. I first became aware of the Berlinale when my husband, filmmaker/animator Elvis D’Silva, who I also work with as part of Thrillpill Films, was selected for BTC 2006. Having built my portfolio of music work for clients over the last three years, I applied this year as a sound designer/composer, sending a 1-minute video clip featuring my music as my initial entry.”

Mayank Shekhar, journalist, Mumbai, did his schooling at Delhi Public School and graduated from St Stephens College. Hearing about BTC from colleagues, he applied with a brief note on himself and was selected. During the course of the programme, he is expected to write about the festival, critique films and report in general for the Berlinale and FIPRESCI websites. As mentor, an international critic would be assigned to his group of seven selected critics from across the world. Shekhar says, “I hope to meet and interact with film critics and filmmakers, given the festival is a melting pot of cinema cultures. At some point I also wish to bring an Indian sensibility and perspective to cinema writing, which at present is entirely missing on international publications.”