BALJIT SANGRA
DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
Baljit Sangra is a filmmaker passionate about under-represented stories, whether it be the impact of sexual abuse on a family in the award winning feature documentary Because We Are Girls, to understanding why South Asian youth have become vulnerable to gangs in Warrior Boyz, to end of life and challenges for seniors in Care in Many Rivers Home, or reflecting on South Asian pioneer history with Have You Forgotten Me.
SELWYN JACOB
STORY CONSULTANT
Selwyn Jacob joined the National Film Board’s BC & Yukon Studio in 1997 and went on to produce over 50 NFB films. His many credits include Crazywater, directed by Inuvialuit filmmaker Dennis Allen; Hue: A Matter of Colour, directed by Vic Sarin; Mighty Jerome, written and directed by Charles Officer; and the digital interactive app Circa 1948, by Vancouver artist Stan Douglas: Mina Shum’s Ninth Floor; Baljit Sangra’s Because We Are Girls. Selwyn retired from the NFB in June, 2019, and his last production was Now Is The Time, directed by Haida filmmaker, Christopher Auchter. Selwyn has since returned to the private sector as an independent Producer/Director.
ÖZGÜN GÜNDÜZ
PRODUCING MENTEE
Özgün Gündüz is an emerging documentary producer transitioning from marketing and market research experience of 10 years. Since 2018, she has gained experience in the industry as a production assistant, coordinator, and casting coordinator. Her first short documentary Weltschmerz was completed with the support of a program funded by TELUS and screened at festivals in France, Turkey, Russia. Özgün joined the Out of The Stands team as a part of the CMPA mentorship program.
NILESH PATEL
DIRECTOR & PRODUCER
Nilesh Patel is a producer and director focused on telling the stories of us coming together. His first dramatic work was the CityTV mockumentary 7 to 11, Indian. Following this he directed his multiple-award winning feature documentary Brocket 99 - Rocking the Country. Nilesh is currently directing and producing Out of the Stands while also continuing to advocate for racial equity in our film and television industry.
PRIYANKA DESAI
LINE PRODUCER & PRODUCTION MANAGER
Priyanka Desai is a Broadcast Journalist turned Content Producer who specializes in documenting stories that impact and entertain. Her credits include award winning TV shows like Moosemeat & Marmalade, Red Chef Revival, Ready to Rock for the likes of Telus Originals, Storyhive, Aboriginal Peoples’ Television Network, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada and Accessible Media Inc. Currently, she serves as a Board Member to the Documentary Organization of Canada’s BC/YK/NWT branch.
CHHAVI DISAWAR
PRODUCING MENTEE
Chhavi Disawar is a Vancouver-based Actor/Producer who started filmmaking in 2019 after studying Film Arts at Langara College. Her prominent works include Maya (Nominated for best actor), The Quarantine Fling (selected at Cannes and Canadian Comedy Festival), Baklava Blues, and The Call (MAMM 16). She is passionate about filmmaking and aims to create story pieces that mark an impact.