Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal’s maiden production receives grant from France

Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s maiden production venture Girls Will Be Girls has received funding under the ‘Aid aux cinemas du monde’ a grant handed out by France's Centre National du Cinema (CNC) and Institut Francais. 

The grant has been instituted for foreign filmmakers who wish to tell unique stories.

Directed by Shuchi Talati, the film explores a complicated mother-daughter relationship and deals with their dual coming-of-age. After making a few short films, this will be her first feature film. 

Sharing her reaction, Talati said in a statement, “When I got the news from our French producer Claire Chassagne, I just stared at my phone screen. Getting the Aide aux cinemas du monde for Girls Will Be Girls had been one of my goals for years while I was writing the script. But I always told myself — it’s very competitive and we probably won’t get it and that’s all right. So it was a bit crazy to actually receive it!” 

She added, “I teared up and called our team to celebrate. So many incredible films have won it in the past so this is a huge validation. And of course, the grant money is a huge boost for us to be able to make the film the way we want to, without any creative compromises!” 

Ali Fazal said, “Richa and I are thrilled that being new producers, we’re making the correct choices for our first production. We’re grateful to our French co-producers, Claire from Dolce Vita Films and Shuchi for their efforts in securing us this prestigious grant. It makes our maiden production an Indo-French one.” 

Chassagne, who owns Delta Vita Films in France, said, “I am overjoyed that the film is granted Aide aux Cinémas du monde, which is a very competitive fund. For me, it is also a reward for my involvement in the development of the film for more than three years. On an economic level, this grant will allow the film to have more access in the international market especially in France and Europe.” 

Co-producers Pooja Chauhan and Sanjay Gulati from Crawling Angel Films said in a joint statement, “Selection for the prestigious grant of Aide aux cinémas du monde not only gives us happiness but it is also a validation of the path that Crawling Angel Films have chosen to tell strong local stories that connect globally.” 

A statement from the makers of Girls Will Be Girls read, “The script was also selected at this year's Jerusalem Script Lab and Berlinale Script Station. It was also presented at the recently concluded market Gotham Week which happened in New York this September.”