RIYAD WADIA AWARD FOR BEST EMERGING INDIAN FILMMAKER

ASHUTOSH S. SHANKAR
(Director, Tara)
Ashutosh S. Shankar is a Dalit-Queer filmmaker from Pune, India. His work focuses on exploring the intersectionality of queerness and caste, delving into stories that challenge dominant narratives while celebrating marginalized identities. Ashutosh is currently developing his debut feature and was selected for the QueerFrames Screenwriting Lab 2024 featured on Deadline. He is currently a
fellow of the Writers INK Screenwriting Lab 2026. His writing has appeared in publications such as She Says, Them, and LiveWire. With his debut short Tara and upcoming projects, Ashutosh aims to spotlight stories of angst, dignity, and personal triumphs—pushing for more inclusive and resonant representation in mainstream Indian cinema.

BINAY SARKAR
(Director, The Expiry Date)
Binay Sarkar, professionally known as Binsar, is an Indian production designer working in the film industry since 2017. He has contributed to multiple projects across Bollywood and independent cinema, developing a strong foundation in visual storytelling, realism, and production aesthetics. Drawing from this experience, he now steps into direction with his debut project, The Expiry Date.
This transition marks a natural progression of his creative journey, where his visual sensibility and narrative understanding come together to tell intimate, human-centric stories. His work reflects a deep interest in emotionally honest cinema, simplicity in storytelling, and meaningful visual expression.

INZAMAM MANJU NIZAM
(Director, Served Cold)
Inzamam M Nizam is a filmmaker and creative director based in Kerala, India. With a Master’s degree in English Literature, he began his career as a college lecturer before moving into advertising. His work focuses on human stories and social realities. This short film marks his directorial debut, following his early involvement in theatre and performance arts during his college years.

SHREY LEENA SHAH
(Director, This Way)
Shrey Leena Shah is an independent trans man filmmaker and photographer from Gujarat, India with over two decades of experience in socially driven storytelling. His work centers on identity, resilience, and the lived realities of marginalized and queer communities. He has created impactful documentary films across the development sector, exploring themes of gender, health, education, and grassroots movements. A self-taught photographer, his visual language is intimate, honest, and deeply human. This film marks his debut as a writer, director, and lyricist in narrative cinema, bringing a personal and authentic queer perspective to fiction. Through his work, Shrey continues to challenge norms and expand inclusive representation in Indian cinema.

SHUBHAM NEGI
(Director, Hills Don’t Dance Alone)
Shubham Negi is a filmmaker from Himachal Pradesh. His film Hills Don’t Dance Alone (Winner – Film Companion–Netflix TakeTen grant; TOTO Awards 2026; Best International Short at the Mosaic International South Asian FF) premiered at BFI Flare and several Oscar-qualifying Film Festivals. His short documentary How Much Space Does A Firefly Take? won the Nagari Film Production Grant. His debut feature project Soma Helang was selected for the NFDC Co-Production Market 2024, developed at the Writer’s Ink Lab, and won mentorship from Vikramaditya Motwane. The project is currently being developed through Torino Film Lab’s Green Narratives program. Shubham is a two time QueerFrames Screenwriting Lab fellow and was a writing intern on Black Warrant Season 2. His short Makeup Room won the KASHISH QDrishti Grant 2025 and is being produced by Vikramaditya Motwane, Neeraj Churi, among others.