‘Build Bridges, Create Impact’ summit focuses on media innovation

Hosted by South Asian House, Jayaram, and MOXMO Media, event aimed to empower diverse voices in creative industries

Jayaram, the IP Law experts and cultural curators, teamed up with South Asian House and MOXMO Media to host the ‘Build Bridges, Create Impact’ summit, powered by Walmart, iHeartMedia, and Facet, focused on media innovation.

The June 12 event at Jayaram NYC Studio/Nublu featured dynamic panels and engaging discussions aimed at fostering collaboration and empowerment within the media industry, according to a media release.

Highlights included panels like “Script to Screen: How Do I Fund This Thing?” featuring Vivek Jayaram of Jayaram, award-winning activist and author Eddie Ndopu and other industry leaders.

The summit also celebrated emerging artists in “Obscurity to Success,” with global advocates and Emmy-nominated filmmakers showcasing diverse voices and narratives led by producer and talent manager Monika Varma Samtani of Media/MOXMO. An “Art of Impact” discussion with Emmy and Oscar-nominated/winning documentary filmmakers was led by Rohi Mirza Pandya of Box Office Guru Media.

Pandya, Founder of South Asian House, announced that three notable guests were recently inducted to the Motion Picture Academy, class of 2024 – Gitesh Pandya, founder Box Office Guru Media, Hemal Trivedi, co-producer and director of short documentary Yatra and Nisha Pahuja, director of To Kill A Tiger.

“This is a testament to how our community is growing and achieving the highest accolades as this is just a small subset of South Asians who got accepted this year,” she said.

To celebrate South Asian voices in creative industries, a mixed crowd of actors, filmmakers, producers, and creative-minded attorneys gathered at the stylish law office and design studio, the release stated.

A #CreateSparks Chai Cart, ethnic catering, and drinks Hiyo, Kolonaki Group, and Rugby Champagne LandrieuX provided by diverse founders enhanced the intimate atmosphere, fostering connections among attendees.

Meetu Chilana’s Soul.Disco.Dhol party was an extraordinary concert journey seamlessly weaving the singer-songwriter’s personal diasporic narrative through genres spanning jazz, soul, Bollywood and bhangra. The 8-piece band helmed by Deep Singh, featured subcontinental instrumentation including the dhol, dholak, tabla, daf, bansuri and Carnatic violin.

Chilana is South Asian House’s official SXSW artist this year and the audience packed the house at Nublu in New York City during the Tribeca Festival with special guests Atish, Kutti Gang, Manik Anand and Saqib.

Notable guests included: Monika Varma Samtani, Founder/Producer/Talent Manager, South Asian House/Media/MOXMO Media; Rohi Mirza Pandya, Founder/Producer, South Asian House/Box Office Guru Media; Gitesh Pandya, Founder, Box Office Guru; Nisha Pahuja, Director, 2024 To Kill A Tiger; Zoya Awan, Director of Public Affairs, Walmart; Shreya Navile, Presenter, actor and model; Shruti Joshi, President & Chief Operating Officer, Facet; Jalak Jobanputra, Founder and Managing Partner, FuturePerfect Ventures; Gavin Michael Booth, filmmaker; Morgan Davidoff, Co-Founder, MOXMO Media; Rishi Rajani, CEO, Hillman Grad; Milan Chakraborty, Head of Film, Marginal Media; Laura Varner-Norman, Vice President of Sales, Multiplatform Marketing/Multicultural/LGBT Initiatives, iHeartMedia; Tanvi Gandhi, Founder, House of TeeGee Productions; Eddie Ndopu, Founder, The Ambition Project JHB; Hemal Trivedi, Documentary Films’ Editor/Director of Yatra, Battleground, Among the Believers; Mohammed Ali Naqvi, filmmaker of The Accused, Among the Believers; Mamta P. Trivedi, producer of Maestra, The Antisocial Network: Memes to Mayhem; and Chloe Pfiefer, EUDA, Hybrid Creative Agency.