About Us
About Us
PIFFLA Hollywood, the Punjabi International Film Festival Los Angeles – Hollywood, is an annual event celebrating Punjabi cinema, art, culture, and music in the heart of Hollywood. Founded by Girija Shanker, this festival aims to bridge the gap between Punjabi heritage and Western audiences, highlighting the rich traditions of Punjabi folk and artistic expression through cinema and music.
With the growth of the Punjabi and North Indian communities in the Western world, PIFFLA Hollywood serves as a vital platform to introduce mainstream American and international audiences to the vibrancy of Punjabi culture. This festival not only showcases the artistic talents of the Punjabi community but also provides an avenue for the creative fraternity to reach a broader global audience, enhancing cross-cultural connections.
PIFFLA Hollywood’s mission is to inspire young Punjabi filmmakers, directors, musicians, and writers worldwide to create cinema and music that can compete internationally. It invites participation from artists globally, offering an opportunity to collaborate with the broader film and music industry in Los Angeles, particularly within the international entertainment capital of Hollywood.
The festival features a wide range of entries, including feature films, documentaries, and short films. It presents prestigious awards, such as Best Feature, Best Documentary, Best Short, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Music Director, and Best Singer (Male and Female). Additionally, the PIFFLA Hollywood Cinematic Scoring Achievement Award honors the best film scores, celebrating the creative talents of composers and musicians.
Our Team
Founder and Director
Girija Shankar
Actor / Producer / Director
“JIS din se chala hoon, meri manzil pe nazar hai , Inh aakhon ne kabhi meel ka pathhar nahin dekha..”
The Urdu couplet by poet Bashir Badr is seemingly a veritable summation of the resolute resolve, courage, patience and diligence of Patiala’s devout theatre artist Girija Shanker who carved a niche for himself in the Bollywood before his incredible foray into the Hollywood film world. In view of his substantial contribution to diverse Punjabi and Hindi theatre, Television and Films including Hollywood English productions Girija Shanker eminently deserved to be extolled as a ‘complete actor’.
PIFFLA... Hollywood Team
The PIFFLA Hollywood team is a dedicated group of professionals committed to creating a memorable and impactful inaugural event. Bringing together expertise from the worlds of film, music, and event management, the team is working tirelessly to ensure every detail of the awards function reflects the spirit of creativity, collaboration, and celebration. From curating the list of honorees to organizing a seamless event experience, the PIFFLA team is driven by a shared passion for storytelling and the arts. Their collaborative efforts aim to establish PIFFLA Hollywood as a benchmark for excellence and inclusivity in the global entertainment landscape.
Festival Director
Dr. Rajiee M Shinde
Rajiee M Shinde, a Dada Saheb Phalke Film Foundation awardee, is a seasoned media executive...
Global advisor, Media broadcast/Production
Parvez Zaidi
With over 28 years in the satellite television industry, Parvez Zaidi has excelled in channel planning, newsroom management...
Festival Coordinator
Jasmine kalra
Jasmine Kalra is an LA based Stage and Production Manager, working with Live Management Society...
Film Historian | Columnist | Writer | Critic | Journalist | Music Collector
Mandeep Singh Sidhu
Mandeep Singh Sidhu is the name of a versatile and multi-talented personality...
Designer, Photographer and Media Consultant
Natalie N Speth.
Natalie Nicole Speth is an independent photographer, videographer, and visual designer with a diverse range of skills...
Admin and finance
Samarjit Kalra
Samarjit is a LA-based entrepreneur with varied business interests. He graduated with a BS in Statistics...
PIFFLA ADVISORS
Piffla takes pride in our diverse team of advisors, each selected for their unique expertise and passion. They offer profound insights and strategic counsel that enhance our creative vision and elevate our production standards. By leveraging their extensive backgrounds, we can navigate the complexities of filmmaking with confidence and innovation. Our advisors are not just mentors but collaborators who are committed to helping us craft compelling narratives and immersive visuals.
Advisor
Manmohan Singh
Manmohan Singh, also known as Man Ji, is a renowned cinematographer, writer, director, and folk singer...
Advisor
Tarun Choudhary
Mr. Tarun Choudhary is an entrepreneur and successful industrialist based in Gurgaon and New Delhi...
Advisor
Ankit Bharadwaj
Ankit Bhardwaj holds a Master of Science in Information Technology and is a business consultant...
Advisor
Rajbir S Taneja
Dr. Rajbir S. Husson-Taneja is a successful businessman, philanthropist, and human rights activist in Los Angeles...
Advisor
Ravi Marwaha
Ravinder Marwaha, President of Marwaha Group, brings over 30 years of experience in the retail industry...
