Shanthini Balasubramanian On Authentic Filmmaking and Storytelling from the Heart
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Shanthini Balasubramanian Behind the scenes on the set of Velvet Secrets. PHOTO BY EDUARDO RUBI.
Every summer since 2006, the Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon (MAMM) has attracted early and mid-career filmmakers, film technicians and acting talent from across the Lower Mainland. The short film incubator welcomes pitches from anyone with Asian roots for a chance to receive mentorship from industry insiders, as well as subsidies for filming and post-production support. MAMM offers a vibrant environment for experimental projects, often featuring native languages of the Asian-Canadian diaspora. This year, for its 21st edition, MAMM will be hosting a gala screening of selected projects at the Vancouver Playhouse on August 29, 2026.
In anticipation of the event, writer Shruthi Budnar sat down with MAMM creative producer Shanthini Balasubramanian to discuss what goes into sustaining a supportive ecosystem for independent filmmaking in the city. A Tamil writer, director and VFX compositor, Shanthini’s debut short film, Velvet Secrets, was made possible through the same festival back in 2024. As a past competing artist, and now an integral part of the organizing team, she demonstrates how the program has garnered a network of accomplished alumni who show up to nurture new talent.
Shruthi Budnar: Could you share more about making your first film? How was that journey?
Shanthini Balasubramanian: My first film out of film school was Velvet Secrets. I wanted to make something South Asian, something South Indian and specifically Tamil, based on my own experiences and what kind of environments I grew up in. I chose to feature a middle-aged South Asian woman who is a mom; I wanted to put a character at the centre that we normally don’t see on screen. And I wanted this character to go through a journey that she hasn’t experienced before. Eventually, I landed on the idea of a mom who finds this dress in her daughter’s room and tries it on. In that process she starts appreciating her own femininity and sexuality. To have dialogues in Tamil was very important to me.
Chandni Appadurai as Asha in Velvet Secrets, 2024.
I decided to pitch the story for Crazy8s. My pitch made it to the Top 12. Prakrit Kamra, a friend I met while volunteering at a film festival, was the one who really encouraged me to pitch, so I asked if he would be my producer and he came onboard. Crazy 8s paired us with a story editor. As a non-Indian person, the editor, Sarah, gave us valuable feedback on what didn’t need over-explaining and how emotions could convey the story. Unfortunately, our pitch didn’t move onto the Top 6, but we left with a solid, clarified script.
A few months later, we discovered MAMM. We attended the launch party in May and until then, I had no idea that such a space existed. It was very similar to Crazy 8s — pitch your idea to get selected. One of my biggest fears was, with the entire film in Tamil, would it be welcomed and appreciated? Seeing most of the films at MAMM being made in Japanese, Korean, Tagalog—Asian films being made with authenticity and heart —was really inspiring. So, that’s how we made Velvet Secrets. Shubham Chhabra, a winner from the previous year, was assigned as our mentor.
We had so much trouble casting. We didn’t have that many professional Tamil actors in Vancouver. Luckily, Shubham put us in touch with Chandni Appadurai, who spoke Tamil and Telugu. We hit it off instantly. The other aunties in the film were just friends of friends. When it finally screened at MAMM, it felt magical. I remember how much Velvet Secrets was celebrated. That very night, I also won the Best First Time Director Award.
Shanthini receiving her award at MAMM19 in August 2024. PHOTO BY the VANCOUVER ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL.
Shruthi: Now you are a creative producer at MAMM. What’s it like on this side?
Shanthini: In May 2025, I was asked to present my pitch video at the MAMM20 launch party and take questions from aspiring participants. Afterwards, the lead creative producer, Joshua Lam, offered me the role of a junior creative producer. This meant that I couldn’t pitch for the contest, and I was okay with that—getting to help MAMM in any way made me really happy. While learning the ropes, I also noticed how much everybody really cares to ensure that things are going well. I helped manage the teams and also with hosting the gala last year. I then found out that Joshua, along with fellow creative producers Moheb Jindran and Panta Mosleh, was retiring to focus on personal projects. I [eventually] became a full creative producer for MAMM21 and could recruit two more people. Together, we have taken on tasks like marketing, planning mentorship workshops, overall production design and so much more.
Shruthi: Tell us more about this year’s MAMM Gala.
Shanthini: I am so excited for the reception gala this year. The MAMM crowd is very special, usually full of enthusiastic film lovers who are very open about celebrating local films. It’s cool that MAMM is as old as me (laughs).
It’s my passion for the competition and my love for MAMM that motivates me. It’s been a blessing to be able to support this year’s nineteen teams. A lot of the filmmakers I have been talking to feel very grateful for what it’s done for underrepresented Asian voices that are specifically culturally rooted, [and] to be able to tell stories in their own language. We just want people to make their dream film. These films end up being that calling card for emerging filmmakers and we don’t want to have a say in how they do that.
This year, we have 19 teams: eight one-minute films (ultra shorts), eight 10-minute films (shorts) and three vertical series which are less than 10 minutes long. The ultra shorts and shorts will be screened at the gala. The vertical series will stream on Instagram, and voting for the Best Vertical Series Award is open now.
The gala on August 29 will be followed by an awards presentation, and there will also be an after party at the Library Square Pub. This year’s theme is “Reflect and Reinvent your Roots,” and we encourage the audience to come dressed in response to the theme—whatever that means to you. It’s going to be an exciting year for sure.
Shruthi: Is there anything else that you’d like to share with us?
Shanthini: I’m excited to announce a new venture with my special friend and constant collaborator, Chandi Appadurai. We’re starting our own production company, called Tidal Rise Films Inc. We want it to be a home for good cinema with compelling, character-driven stories. We have many things planned, but right now [we’re] taking baby steps.
In October, I will also be hosting a beginner-friendly workshop on the craft of filmmaking as part of BC Culture Days. Details will be announced on the website, so stay tuned!
The 21st Annual Mighty Asian Moviemaking Marathon Gala Screening & Awards Presentation will be held on Saturday, August 29 at 5:00PM at the Vancouver Playhouse. For more information and to buy tickets, visit their website.
Shruthi Budnar (she/they) is a writer, zine-artist and cultural worker on the unceded lands of the Halkomelem speaking peoples, by the Stó:lō river. Their poetry, short stories and collage-based zines carry forward solarpunk and abolitionist ethos. She is passionate about curating arts gatherings and documenting local events with diverse voices.
