Film school can be valuable if you know what you want to gain from it, but it can also be overwhelming.
Vibha Kulkarni
Rising talent Bandra girl Vibha Kulkarni is poised to make her mark in Hollywood with her directorial debut, "7TH HOUSE," a romantic comedy in which she will also play the lead role. This marks a significant milestone in her multi-hyphenate career as she becomes the next filmmaker to watch out for!
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A New Voice in Hollywood
Vibha Kulkarni is an alumnus of St. Xavier's College, Mumbai; College of Fine Arts-Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bengaluru; and the National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad. She further refined her craft by graduating from the prestigious American Film Institute (AFI) Conservatory.
With a decade of experience across various storytelling mediums-Fine Art, Performance Art, Interactive Art, Theater, Indian Classical Dance, and Poetry-Vibha is no stranger to creative expression. Her short film "ARO'S WORLD," a coming-of-age psychological horror, recently won the "Best Young Performer Award" at the Chicago Horror Film Festival. It also premiered at the BAFTA, Canadian Award, and Oscar-qualifying L.A. Shorts and is set to make its Canadian premiere at the International South Asian Film Festival Canada (ISAFF).
An Artistic Journey Through Storytelling
In an exclusive interview, Vibha shared insights into her artistic evolution and her leap into filmmaking. "Storytelling, in any medium, has always been a means of self-discovery for me," she said. "Of all the artistic mediums, Filmmaking, in particular, allows me to create a reality in which audiences can immerse themselves, experiencing it more profoundly than any other medium. It feels like a superpower, and there's no greater joy than that."
From AFI to Hollywood
Reflecting on her time at the American Film Institute, Vibha credits the experience with shaping her career. "As a Directing Fellow, I learned how to navigate the industry without compromising my artistic vision. AFI helped me discover my storytelling voice and opened doors to opportunities I had only dreamed of. I even wrote my first feature during my time there, actually I wrote three! The support from my mentors, faculty, and peers was incredible. Interestingly, it was our Improv classes that reignited my passion for acting."
On Wearing Multiple Hats
Written by herself, taking on Director and lead Actor roles in her debut feature was a deliberate choice. "Casting is crucial to directing for me. I visualize characters and their worlds with specific actors in mind while writing itself. The lead character in '7TH HOUSE' is based on me, a filmmaker in her thirties. I couldn't see anyone else playing her but me. It's not something I do for every story, but for this one, it felt necessary."
Balancing Genres and Themes
Vibha's transition from horror to romantic comedy is driven by her unique perspective as an artist. "As someone caught between Indian traditions and progressive ideologies, I'm driven to balance these influences in my stories. I'm not tied to any particular genre because my thematic focus remains consistent-my stories are about women, teenagers, and children learning to embrace their authentic selves. Though currently I am more in the realm of Romance and Coming of Age."
Advice for Aspiring Filmmakers
For those looking to break into the film industry, Vibha offers this advice: "Every film aspirant's journey is different. Film school can be valuable if you know what you want to gain from it, but it can also be overwhelming. Regardless, film education is crucial, and it often comes from making mistakes and being on set. So, keep making films, even if it's on your phone. That's the best way to learn."
IMDb: https://tinyurl.com/vibhaimdb.
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