The conversation about gender equality and changing the way we view women in film has been happening for a while now. Filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari recognizes that we've made some strides, but she’s curious about why we still hear the term "female filmmaker." She highlights the bias that comes with that label.

In a recent chat with Hindustan Times, Ashwiny raised the question of why this distinction is still made for women, noting that male directors don’t get labeled in the same way. She also shared her vision for the stories she wants to tell and discussed her role as a jury member for the second edition of the Red Lorry Film Festival, which is organized by BookMyShow.

It's time to move beyond the 'female filmmaker' label

When discussing the changes for women in the industry, Ashwiny shares, “A lot has shifted. First off, we should stop labeling filmmakers as female filmmakers.”

“It would be fantastic if we could just refer to them as filmmakers. That would make a significant difference. We don’t hear people saying 'male filmmakers'; they’re simply called filmmakers,” she emphasizes.

The director adds, “We’re ready to tell women’s stories. If you look at this year’s Oscars, there was Wicked, which is led by women. The film that took home the most Oscars this year, Anora, features many women and tells a story about a woman in a setting we’re not used to seeing.”

Regarding narratives focused on women, Ashwiny believes there’s a push to challenge traditional storytelling.

“We embrace female characters and aren’t afraid to pitch those stories to producers. We’re not hesitant to lead a film with a female actor. That’s where the change is happening, and it’s just the start... I hope to see more stories led by women, where we can simply say it’s a story, and it happens to be about a woman,” the director expresses.

As she travels along her path as a storyteller

Ashwiny is recognized for directing films like Nil Battey Sannata, Panga, and Bareilly Ki Barfi. She acknowledges that her real-life experiences have always fueled her creativity.

“I’ve always been inspired by characters with their imperfections. As a storyteller, I believe it’s crucial to share narratives that leave the audience with something meaningful, whether it makes them laugh or cry,” she explains.

For her, the essence of cinema lies in its ability to connect with people's emotions. She adds, “That’s what brings me happiness. This year, I came across a quote at the Oscars that said, ‘pain is temporary, films are forever.’ That really struck a chord with me... I aspire to create films that make a lasting impression.”

Additionally, her role as a jury member at the second edition of the Red Lorry Film Festival, where she watched films from around the globe, greatly inspired her.

“It was an enlightening experience. Good cinema has a profound impact on me as a storyteller. It motivates me to improve and encourages me to explore diverse narratives,” she shared.

How films influenced her

They were incredibly bold storytellers... Bold in the way they embraced a new style of filmmaking. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to storytelling. If you look at cinema, you can see how perspectives have evolved. It’s refreshing to witness the variety of filmmaking techniques, she notes, recognizing the shifts in technical elements.

She goes on to explain, “When I refer to a fearless filmmaker, I mean someone who is unafraid to express the stories I want to tell authentically. Being a fearless filmmaker for me means voicing my thoughts while also tackling stories that push my technological boundaries.”

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