Manjari Fadnis is an Indian actress, model, and singer. She is known for her work primarily in Hindi and Telugu films. In addition, she has also acted in Bengali, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam films. She gained widespread recognition for her role in the 2008 Hindi film Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na. Her other notable works include Faltu, Zokkomon, Warning, Grand Masti, Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon, the short film Khamakha, and Barot House. Manjari first appeared on television during the second season of the Indian version of the singing reality show Popstars, which was aired on Channel V India. She was one of the participants who made it to the finals for the musical band Aasma. She received the Movers and Shakers award at the MAACFPS International Animation Awards, Youth Icon Award for ‘Excellence in Entertainment Industry’ at Maier Medi International Short Film Festival. Manjari was featured on the cover of the Woman’s Era Magazine September 2015 issue. She has also appeared as a model in various fashion events such as Bombay Times Fashion Week, Intimate Fashion Week, and Dubai Fashion League. Manjari sang the song ‘Azhagana Neeyum’ under the direction of Yuvan Shankar Raja for the Tamil film Muthirai. She also sang the songs Sonya Ve Sajna in the Indo-Pakistani music album Beat Beyond Borders composed by Pakistani musician Fakhar-e-Alam.

Arindam Ghosh is a filmmaker, playwright, and theater director based in the Washington DC area. His debut feature, Shyamal Uncle Turns Off the Lights, premiered at the Busan International Film Festival and at MoMA, New York. His second film, Peace Haven, received the prestigious Script Development Award from the Asian Cinema Fund. He also appeared as one of the leads in Once Upon a Time in Calcutta (released in India as Mayanagar), which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 2021 and had its theatrical release in India in 2025. His co-written screenplay Familywallah is set for release later this year. As Artistic Director of Ebong TheatriX, his theater work has earned multiple honors including the Ed-Ro-Char Award in Technical Excellence, the Cliff Smith Memorial Award for Excellence in Directing, and the Spencer C. Watson Jr. Award for Excellence in Technical Theater.

Sandeep Mohan is an award-winning independent filmmaker/screenwriter from India whose feature films include Danny Goes Aum, Shreelancer, Hola Venky, Love, Wrinkle-free and Nirmal Anand ki Puppy. His films have screened at international festivals, released independently in theatres, and reached audiences worldwide through innovative self-distribution and grassroots exhibition models. As the founder of The Great Indian Traveling Cinema, he has pioneered alternative pathways for independent filmmakers to connect directly with audiences beyond traditional theatrical systems. Known for his deeply personal, character-driven engaging storytelling and entrepreneurial approach to filmmaking, Sandeep has emerged as a distinctive voice in contemporary independent cinema. The 51 year Sandeep has also represented India in Badminton at the World Championships for Veteran Players held in Jeonju, South Korea in 2023.
Website: sandeepmohan.com

Anshul is a Mumbai based Writer/Director and has worked on 200+ long and short format films over the last 10 years. His last two films have been screened in 150+ International Film Festivals and have garnered 75+ Festival awards globally. His areas of choice comprise of both Fiction and Documentaries in the domain of social change. His work spans across themes like – AIDS in newborn children, teenage pregnancy, manual scavenging, caste system, endangered tribal languages, 1984 anti-Sikh riots, drug use in young adults, xenophobia, after effects of terrorism, rape survivors, child marriage, back to school, fighting child labour, surrogacy, etc. Anshul has directed campaigns for Tribal Ministry of India, Government of Rajasthan, UNICEF, World Bank. He has also worked for agencies like Dentsu, OML, etc.

Harpreet Kaur is a highly acclaimed filmmaker, a recipient of four prestigious Emmy Awards, and the visionary founder of Sach Productions. She is a fearless, passionate, people-loving director who is driven by purposeful storytelling. Harpreet’s experience as a journalist, filmmaker and producer has given her the opportunity to lead on camera, from behind the lens and as an editor, writer, and creative collaborator. Her latest documentary, ‘Tails of the Himalayas…of Dogs & Devotees’ is a story of resilience, love, and compassion. The film weaves together diverse yet interconnected narratives of everyday people who have dedicated their lives to rescuing street dogs in India. She served as a Producer at Maryland Public Television, a member station of PBS where she produced over 100 episodes for the award-winning series, Maryland Farm & Harvest. Harpreet has directed award-winning documentaries shedding light on social issues which are highlighted in her important films, ‘’The Widow Colony,’ and ‘A Little Revolution.’ She strives to educate, entertain and enlighten viewers with her ability to share compelling stories. With a unique ability to weave poignant narratives, Harpreet Kaur continues to captivate audiences, leaving a profound and lasting impact through her films. Her dedication to advocacy and powerful storytelling continues to drive positive change and inspire countless individuals to take an active role in shaping a better future.

Vikram Kolluru, Vikram Kolluru works for Thermo Fisher Scientific as an automation systems design engineer by profession. As someone with a great affinity to socialize and deep passion to utilize his creative juices, he has placed himself in community groups linked to theater, cinema and entertainment. Indulging in acting, screenwriting and direction have been his top interests. As team member of DCSAFF Vikram has taken upon multiple hats of media management, organizing volunteers and technical support.

Shirish Nene, Shirish Néné has served on the jury of the DC South Asian Film Festival every year since 2016, and can regularly be seen at this and other film festivals in the larger metropolitan area. A brief training period with noted Indian dramatist Badal Sircar, started a love for the visual and auditory story telling arts spanning almost forty years, and expanded from the stage to large and small screens. This passion is a family affair today, finding expression in audition workshops with his daughter an LA based actress, and film-making with a son training to be a film director in Virginia. Most recently he and his wife have joined DC Storytellers a dedicated band of moviemakers in the DC metro area.

Mansoor Ahmed, Mansoor Ahmed (Moonie), DCSAFFs Technical Director, retired as the Division Director for Astrophysics at NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center. During the day he studies the stars and in the evening he shoots them. Moonie made his directorial debut in 2013 with the critically acclaimed film, Bhool. His passion for filmmaking can be traced back to his childhood days in Peshawar, Pakistan, where he lived across from the only English language cinema hall in the city – it wasn’t long before he became mesmerized by the world of international cinema.