Vancouver Film School’s world-class training prepares our students not only to excel in their careers but to serve as leaders within the creative industry. As they build their impressive careers, our graduates find opportunities to share their knowledge with new generations of artists, ensuring that our creative communities stay vibrant and strong.
Recently, three Vancouver Film School alumni – Sidartha Murjani, Vinay Giridhar, & King Louie Palomo – have risen to leadership roles within Sundar Prize’s inaugural Filmmaker Mentorship Program – an incredible platform for emerging filmmakers to refine and elevate their craft through knowledge exchange, skill development, and networking. Alongside Creative BC, VFS is a proud sponsor of Sundar Prize.
VFS alumni Sidartha Murjani, Vinay Giridhar, & King Louie Palomo are leading the inaugural Sundar Prize Filmmaking Mentorship Program for emerging filmmakers to gain industry experience.GET TO KNOW THESE VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL ALUMNI
While Sidartha serves as an Executive Director & Senior Programmer, alongside mentor duties, both Vinay and King will personally mentor the filmmakers selected for the program:
Sidartha Murjani (Executive Director & Senior Programmer)
Sidartha is a multi-disciplinary artist originally from Bali, Indonesia. His artistic journey commenced with a full scholarship to Vancouver Film School’s Acting for Film & Television program, where his passion for acting was ignited. Sidartha's performances have earned significant acclaim, including a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the comedy Coffee and Best Actor for The Interview. As a writer and director, he has created eight short films, many of which have been selected for Canadian Screen Award-qualifying film festivals. His creative vision is rooted in a commitment to producing stories that entertain, educate, and provoke thought. Sidartha recognizes the profound impact of visual media, particularly film, as a catalyst for emotional, intellectual, and societal change. He strives to contribute meaningfully to this landscape by creating and collaborating on projects that offer both entertainment and intrinsic value, enriching viewers' experiences and perspectives.
Vinay Giridhar (Mentor)
Vinay is an Indian-born artist and filmmaker with a background in animation and graphic design. A Vancouver Film School Classical Animation graduate, his award-winning short Love’s Age has gained international recognition. He later transitioned to digital graphic design and serves as the art director for a prominent South Asian publication in Metro Vancouver. Vinay made his directorial debut with Emergence: Out of the Shadows, a documentary about LGBTQ+ Sikh individuals and their families. The film has garnered critical acclaim and has played in over 50 film festivals including Academy Award, BAFTA, and Canadian Screen Award-qualifying film festivals and is now recommended in BC high schools due to its powerful storytelling.
King Louie Palomo (Mentor)
King is a Queer Filipino-Canadian producer-director known for bold storytelling that challenges conventional norms. A graduate of Vancouver Film School’s Film Production and an alum of the 2024 CFC Norman Jewison Film Program: Director’s Lab, his work spans acclaimed short films like NENE (Standout Director at Reelworld Film Festival) and STAY (Jury Award runner-up at Out on Film). As a Producer, his credits include Crossroads, Lost Beneath the Stars, and Auganic – which was in Academy Awards consideration. With a background in VFX (HBO’s The Last of Us), he’s currently developing his first feature STAY and his next short Aking Parol.
Sundar Prize’s film mentorship program provides unparalleled opportunities for emerging filmmakers to elevate their craft as they work towards completing their passion project.ABOUT SUNDAR PRIZE’S MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
With this film industry mentorship program, Sundar Prize aims to bridge the gap between emerging filmmakers and experienced professionals within the Canadian film industry. The benefits for participants are many:
- Expert guidance from the industry leaders
- Film networking opportunities with established professionals in Canada’s film industry
- A letter of support which can be used for future funding applications
- VIP access to all Sundar Prize Film Festival events
Mentors too will see the opportunity for professional development as they reflect on their own practices & knowledge while instructing the next wave of filmmaking talent. They also receive public recognition from Sundar Prize and VIP access to all related festival events.
The application process is competitive. Mentees must:
- Have a film project they’re currently working on that is in pre-production, production, or post-production
- Have no more than 2 professional IMDb credits
- Demonstrate a commitment to improving their craft
Hopeful filmmakers aren’t the only ones that must apply. There is a similar application process for mentors, which ensures that the only highest calibre of industry professionals is chosen to lead this program. Minimum requirements include 3+ professional IMDb credits in key roles and significant knowledge of Canada’s film production landscape.
THE IMPACT OF SUNDAR PRIZE’S MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
The benefits of filmmaking mentorship programs are many. Mentorship is a fundamental artistic practice that is crucial for an industry’s sustainability. By investing in emerging creators, we ensure that great, impactful art continues to be made.
Having firsthand experience with the ups and downs of independent filmmaking, King is eager to give back as a mentor: “It’s truly a rewarding opportunity for me. It feels like a chance to give back to the community that has played such a vital role in my journey. Throughout my career as a filmmaker, it has always been important to me to amplify underrepresented voices, and now I’m eager to help new storytellers find their own authentic and fearless ways to express themselves… I want to create an environment where my mentees feel empowered to take risks and push their own boundaries.”
“I am incredibly proud to be leading and mentoring a program that not only supports emerging filmmakers but also helps build long-term capacity within the industry” commented Sidartha, sharing similar sentiments. “By fostering an ecosystem that nurtures BC talent, we are laying the foundation for a sustainable creative community – one that will generate meaningful opportunities and employment within the local film sector. The impact of this initiative extends far beyond individual mentorship; it strengthens the entire industry by empowering new voices, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that BC remains a thriving hub for cinematic storytelling. This work is truly invaluable, and I am honored to be a part of it.”
Everyone here at VFS couldn’t agree more. “Sundar Prize’s mentorship program is a truly incredible opportunity for emerging filmmakers, and one that Vancouver Film School is proud to support” commented Omari Newton, VFS’s Acting Head and Co-Head of Film Production. “The guidance these filmmakers will receive is unparalleled and will be crucial in their development as artists. VFS is always searching for new avenues to inspire and uplift creatives as they pursue rewarding industry careers, and we strive to provide the very best training opportunities – not only on our campuses but directly within Vancouver’s film industry.”
For Sidartha, Vinay, & King, their journey began at VFS. If you’re an aspiring filmmaker – yours can too! Apply to VFS’s Film Production program to acquire the hands-on, fast-track film production training you’ll need to launch your career in 1 short year in directing, producing, cinematography, production design, or post-production.
PLUS, with our Resolution Scholarship currently accepting applications, there’s never been a better time to apply! Submit your scholarship application by February 10 for a chance to receive one of three full-tuition scholarships for ANY of our creative arts programs. Get started here.
Finally, read about other Vancouver Film School alumni success stories from our Film program, including Nicole Ratcliffe’s work as an Editor on Netflix’s Virgin River and recent students who gained real-world film industry experience in Canada while working on a film shoot with the Vancouver Canucks.
FAQ
1. What is the Sundar Prize Filmmaker Mentorship Program?
The Sundar Prize Filmmaker Mentorship Program is an initiative designed to connect emerging filmmakers with experienced industry professionals. Participants receive expert guidance, networking opportunities, and support to help them advance their film projects and careers.
2. How are Vancouver Film School alumni involved in the Sundar Prize mentorship program?
Three VFS alumni – Sidartha Murjani, Vinay Giridhar, and King Louie Palomo – are serving as mentors and leaders in the program. Sidartha is the Executive Director & Senior Programmer, while Vinay and King will directly mentor participating filmmakers.
3. What are the benefits of the Sundar Prize mentorship program?
Offering one of the best filmmaking mentorship programs in Canada, Sundar Prize offers its participants hands-on mentorship from industry professionals, networking opportunities, VIP access to Sundar Prize Film Festival events, and a letter of support that can be used for future funding applications. For mentors, the experience allows them to reflect on their own practices, contribute to the next generation of filmmakers, and gain public recognition within the industry.
4. Where can I learn more about the Sundar Prize Filmmaker Mentorship Program?
For more details, visit https://sundarprize.com/mentorship-program/.