Priyanka Shetty

     Priyanka Shetty is an award-winning actor, director, and writer based in Philadelphia. As a creator of original works, Priyanka is focused on making art that is a reflection of our times.

Her critically acclaimed one-woman show The Elephant in the Room has performed at numerous venues across the US including The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC and internationally at the 2022 Edinburgh Fringe which was followed by a Scotland Tour. Priyanka is premiering her solo show #CHARLOTTESVILLE in 2025 at The Keegan Theatre in Washington DC. She was recently  awarded a generous grant by the National Endowment of the Arts for the development of The Wall, the third and final play in her Triptych of Solos.

Prerna Saraff Chauhan 

     Prerna is an acclaimed writer-director and the co-founder of Take A Stand Films, a production house dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices. Growing up in Northern Virginia, she always harbored a deep passion for storytelling, particularly narratives that explore the complexities of the South Asian diaspora. 

As a woman of color and a mother to two daughters, Prerna’s work is driven by a profound connection to social justice, with a focus on issues that resonate within the South Asian community yet remain largely unspoken. Her short films, *Gudiyaa*, & *Bi The Way * garnered international acclaim, winning awards at film festivals around the globe. This success further fueled her commitment to creating films that spark meaningful conversations and inspire change.

Kunal Srivastava 

     Kunal Shrivastava is a filmmaker originally from Bhopal, India, and currently based in the US. Films have been a cherished companion throughout his life, offering solace, guidance, and inspiration. He is dedicated to creating films that blend his core philosophies with the personal experiences and stories he has lived. His debut short film, The Merchant of Vinashna, received critical acclaim, screening at film festivals worldwide and earned several awards.

Prerna

Pamila Dembla

   Pamila Dembla is the festival Director of the Atlanta Indian Film Festival as well as part of the jury. She is an avid movie goer and critique. Her goal is to provide a platform where movie makers of Indian origin can connect and support with each other while showcasing their work to the community. 

Outside the world of cinema, she is a professor of business at a state university in Atlanta. 

Puneet Sibal

     I am a film enthusiast and love watching movies (of different types) more than most people I know. When I am on a flight, with a wide variety of movies, I navigate towards World / International movies because I find them so much richer in comparison to commercial Hollywood or Bollywood movies. Every once in a while when I come across an amazing movie - it’s like finding a diamond in the rough. It feels blissful. I also find international movies to be a great way to get a glimpse and nuances of a culture. Ever since I can remember I have always loved watching movies - as they always have had this power to transfer me into a magical world. 

Bharat Tejasvi

Purna Ahuja

     My husband and I have lived in metro Atlanta for the past 35 years, and enjoy many different cultural aspects of this city! 

I am one of the early alumna of the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad. My early career was in graphic design and later I taught in Gwinnett Public schools for 21 years. Presently, I seem to have found a lovely niche for myself working part-time at the High Museum of Art, where I am involved in their Adult and School programs.

My husband and I have one son who lives with his family in California, and we are proud grandparents of a three year old granddaughter!