top of page
American Golden Picture
International Film Festival
AN INTERVIEW WITH Jude Peter Damian, Producer & DIRECTOR
As a filmmaker, please introduce yourself.
I became a Filmmaker only in the last few months. But, I’m a Chartered Accountant for over 30 years and working in
accounts & related functions at Chennai, India. During 2020-21, I did a Course on “Film Direction” and after completion of the course,
made a short film in Tamil “SHASHTHI”. The film has won awards in over 10 International Film Festivals
and in some Festivals in multiple categories.
Why you became a filmmaker as director ?
There is no denying the fact that almost everyone likes movies and at some point in time many of them would have desired / wanted to be a film maker / associated with film making. I’m also no exception to this. Besides that I have a personal reason too.
Give some more information about yourself and the films you have made so far, about your experience?
As mentioned above, SHASHTHI is my first film and hope to do few more in the near future. Though the movie runs for less than 30 minutes,
it took over a year for me in thinking and writing the story & screenplay again and again, while the shooting of the movie got over in less than a week. This being the first movie, there were many shots which were unsatisfactory for me, but could overcome this on Edit table.
What are the films or people that had impacts on you and deeply inspired you to become a filmmaker?
There are countless of movies that inspired me. To name a very few, the first name that comes to my mind is Kirzysztof Kieslowski’s Dekalog,
particularly the Part 1. Then to name some of the English movies that I like(d) the most are: Gladiator, Schindler’s List, Bridge of Spies,
The Sixth Sense, Scent of a woman, Erin Brockovich, Salt and so on. Additionally, these days, I wonder the kind of technology used and efforts
put in in making films by Christopher Nolan. In Tamil (Indian movies), while I liked the movies of many Directors,
I liked Director K.Vishwanath’s movies the most and of course, many of the movies of Directors Balachander and Bharathiraja.
You have made your film which got official selection in the
"American Golden Picture International Film Festival".
As a filmmaker, why you decided to make it?
I thank American Golden Picture International Film Festival for recognising my film. I always wanted to make movies projecting “good characters”
that will be examples for the societies, particularly for Developing Nations / Societies, while exhibiting the Art of movie making.
This is a first step in that direction.
What were some of the challenges you faced in making this film?
SHASHTHI being my debut film, that too a short film, it was difficult to get talented / experienced cast & crew for the film. However,
I could finally get the suitable persons, thanks in particular to the Executive Producer Mr.Sivakumar Mohanan.
Further, restrictions by authorities due to covid posed certain difficulties particularly during the shooting days.
Let us know more about your experience in this film?
After having had over 3 decades of “Corporate” experience, doing something like film making, which requires working in an entirely different atmosphere, is one thing that I should admit, is not that easy. But, the team that I worked with was so wonderful that I didn’t find it that difficult.
What was it like to work with your team?
I'm fortunate to have had such a wonderful team, as mentioned earlier.
Everyone was so dedicated, sincere and talented that made the film a success & good one.
For you what was the biggest lesson you had to learn after making this film?
I thought there were too many mistakes that I / we made while shooting the film. "Plan, Plan & Plan well in advance, irrespective of the size of the film, whether small or big". That's the biggest lesson I learnt after making the film.
What keeps you inspired to continue filmmaking?
I think I personally owe a lot to the Society. So far, I have not been able to do much in this direction. It is only the beginning of my paying it back.
My interest in the Art of filmmaking will hopefully help me to be able to make some good films & contribute to society in the near future.
The most important part is distributing the film. What did you do for distributing this film ?
I'm thinking of initially distributing the film on TVOD platform(s). I've initiated correspondence with an aggregator (distributor) for the said purpose. As certain Film Festivals, that I submitted the film to, require Premiere status in certain areas, I waited for some time to start the process of releasing the film.
What are your filmmaking goals?
One step at a time. Having said that, I don't deny the fact that "ACADEMY Award" is in the back of my mind, as that is possibly any filmmaker's goal.
What is your next project?
I have a few stories & concepts ready. Hopefully by the end of 2022 or early 2023, I should be able to show one of the stories on screen for the public to view.
Good Luck Jude,
bottom of page