The Tamil Creator Podcast (EP #60): Ravi Srinivasan - International Programmer At The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) & Hot Docs

"Ravi Srinivasan was raised in a Filipino and Tamil household in Sarnia before moving to Toronto, where is he now the International Programmer (Canada) for the Toronto International Film Festival. He's also the International Programmer for the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and the Founder/Executive Director of the South Western International Film Festival."

Podcasts

Apr 25, 2022

Ara Ehamparam

Business Owner

Toronto, Canada

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Ravi joins Ara on this week’s episode of #TheTamilCreator to discuss the power of film and media in shaping narratives, how he broke into the film industry and more.

"The Tamil Creator" is a podcast started by me (Ara Ehamparam) to celebrate, spotlight and learn about the brilliance among Tamil creators globally. I want you to feel like you're a fly on the wall eavesdropping on a conversation that is a combination of educational, inspirational and entertaining.

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Timestamps
00:19 - Ara introduces this week’s guest, Ravi Srinivasan
01:24 - Upbringing in Sarnia and his family being one of two non-white families
05:01 - How Ravi broke into the film industry
08:58 - Cold emailing and cold calling is a lost art
09:57 - How Ravi got an opportunity with TIFF and the importance of film festivals
15:36 - His strategy to pass the TIFF assessment
17:14 - Ravi’s day-to-day as a programmer for TIFF
19:50 - The film he discovered in this role that he is most proud of
23:15 - Advice for filmmakers who want to be a part of TIFF
25:55 - How TIFF became one of the most important film festivals in North America
29:08 - Ravi’s role as a programmer at Hot Docs
31:51 - Having a Q&A discussion with M.I.A.
33:36 - The power of film and media in controlling the narrative
35:00 - Legal implications around making a documentary
36:20 - Being the Founder & Executive Director of SWIFF
41:45 - What the future of film festivals looks like moving forward
43:48 - How friends/family reacted to Ravi making a professional living around film
46:33 - Ravi’s relationship with money and his financial advice for aspiring creatives
50:39 - Advice for his 16-year-old self: ‘Don’t drop out of Calculus’
52:00 - The legacy he wants to be remembered for by friends and family
53:50 - Why Ravi doesn’t feel close to his Tamil roots
57:36 - How Ara and Ravi initially connected
58:26 - Creator Confessions
1:10:34 - The Wrap Up