Industry Connect 2025: A Star-Studded Celebration of Cinema at Garden City College, Bangalore
Bangalore | July 9, 2025 — The sprawling campus of Garden City College came alive on July 8, 2025, as it hosted Industry Connect 2025 — a landmark event celebrating creativity, innovation, and collaboration in Indian cinema. Film professionals from the Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi industries gathered to inspire the next generation of media students and honor pioneers who are shaping the future of the film industry.
The highlight of the evening was a special felicitation ceremony recognizing key contributors to Indian cinema. Among them was JJ Sharma, a filmmaker, educator, and tech visionary, who was honored for his revolutionary startup, Filmkar.com — India’s first dedicated film-tech networking platform.
“Filmkar.com was born from the real struggles I witnessed in the industry,” said Sharma. “I wanted to build something that empowers creative minds—regardless of where they come from.”
Filmkar.com: One Year of Disrupting India’s Film Networking Landscape
Launched nationwide on April 9, 2024 — on the eve of the Ugadi festival — Filmkar.com has become a digital powerhouse, connecting thousands of filmmakers, actors, casting professionals, and technicians across India. What began as a modest idea in 2019 has grown into a vital ecosystem for India’s creative workforce.
Founded by JJ Sharma, whose journey spans editing, cinematography, and film education, the platform was shaped by years of hands-on experience in the Kannada film industry. Prior to Filmkar, Sharma launched Macwin Studio & Cine Academy in 2014 and Cinemandi.com in 2017 — ventures that laid the foundation for understanding the digital needs of film professionals.
Turning Vision into Reality
Filmkar.com officially piloted in 2021 and gained momentum across Karnataka in 2023, receiving endorsements from industry stalwarts such as P. Sheshadri, V. Manohar, Jayamala, and B. Suresh. Their support paved the way for a nationwide rollout.
Since its launch, Filmkar.com has addressed two major challenges in the film industry:
- Genuine Opportunities: A verified platform for artists to showcase their portfolios and apply for real, industry-backed projects.
- Smart Talent Discovery: Casting professionals can post calls with smart filters — making the casting process faster, easier, and more transparent.
A Platform, A Movement
Filmkar.com has evolved into more than just a job portal — it is a digital community designed to foster collaboration across all corners of the industry. From actors and DOPs to editors and agencies, it supports real connections and long-term partnerships.
“It’s not about where you’re from anymore — it’s about what you can do. That’s the heart of Filmkar,” said Sharma.
What’s Next for Filmkar.com?
With its first year a resounding success, Filmkar.com is preparing to roll out several new features, including:
- Post-Production Cloud Infrastructure
- Live Casting Call Integration
- Expanded Industry Matchmaking Network
As Filmkar.com grows, it continues to champion its core mission: democratizing access and creating a more connected, inclusive, and transparent Indian film industry.
“We’ve just begun,” Sharma said with a smile. “Filmkar is here to transform how India makes films—together.”
For more updates on Filmkar.com or partnership opportunities, visit www.filmkar.com
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