MUSHROOM, 64min., India, Crime/Thriller
Directed by Samik Roy Choudhury
A quaint guest house nestled in the hills, almost idyllic. The house owner, Yamini, is attractive, but withdrawn. She runs the guest house with some old timers, who seem to know a lot about the newly renovated guest house.

https://www.facebook.com/mushroomthefilm

Director Statement
I guess every film director wants a film shot in the hills, furthermore a murder mystery in the hills. I'm no exceptional, but I love to work on psychological drama. Hence, Mushroom. I tried creating layers within a short runtime. Hope you'll enjoy it.

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?

- I guess every film director wants a film shot in the hills, furthermore a murder mystery in the hills. I'm no exception, but I love to work on psychological drama. Hence, Mushroom.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?

- 6 months, believe me, I never thought it can be made in a such short period of time, The film I shot before this, is still in the post-production stage.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?

- Unpredictable Watch

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?

- Time, The lead actor was available only for 12 days, and we shot the film in 9 days.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?

- Overwhelmed, I literally had tears rolling down. Their descriptive feedback says that they have actually watched the movie minutely and that proved that the film was successful to glue them to the screen.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?

- When I was around 10 years old, I came to know that highly intellectual people make films, as my father described 'Good Films'. My father used to take me to theaters to watch movies, and my mother encouraged me to learn music. I knew someday I'll make movies, but I was unaware of the path. Eventually, I got into the VFX industry to learn the deeper technicalities, and I got to work on movies like Life of Pi, Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian and many more as a VFX Technical Director. I started making short films and music videos, and eventually left my job and started up a house to make ad films and corporate films... I guess all through my journey since I understood films, I knew I wanted to make films.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?

I, usually, don't watch a movie twice. I believe that's because I don't want to harm or change the impression that I get when I watch any movie for the first time. But I have watched a few movies several times to learn from them. And I can name a few movies that I watched numerous times(I don't remember how many times). Schindler's List, Memento, Shutter Island, Lola Rennt and recently Athena.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?

Not sure, but maybe recommended to big film studios.

9. You submitted to the festival via Film Freeway. How have your experiences been working on the festival platform site?

So Far it's good. Hope it only changes for improvements.

10. What is your favorite meal?

Depends on where I am, or who I'm with. By the way, what are you treating me with?
Jokes apart, I like Indian, Italian and Mexican food. We do get them in India.

11. What is next for you? A new film?

I'm writing a film screenplay while another film is in post-production stage. And also writing the script for my first web-series.