SEEKERS

1. Who is a seeker?
   A seeker is any active working member of the film industry who is looking to produce, finance, or acquire film content.  At FilmKaravan, we showcase screenplays, works-in-progress and finished films in the narrative and documentary genres.  Our seekers include distributors, acquisitions and development executives, film scouts, festival programmers, non-profit organizations and funders.
2. Why should I join FilmKaravan.com?
   We are the premier database of the largest collection of quality South Asian specialty films at all stages of development. As a seeker, your networking potential on this site is unmatched. You will receive unique access to screenplay excerpts, film clips, up to date project status and more, provided by the filmmakers themselves.
3. Who is on FilmKaravan.com?
   Directors, writers, producers and actors who have projects in development or production, or are seeking distribution.  We host industry professionals who want the first-look at the best South Asian projects from around the world. Plus, our audience component provides creators and seekers with consumer reactions, through ratings and reviews. Our creators are carefully curated from directors, producers and actors who have qualified for FilmKaravan membership with legitimate credits on quality projects. Read more about our qualification Criteria.
4. Is the information I enter about myself visible to everybody?
   You control who gets to see what information and how they may contact you.  Initially, industry members choose to receive messages from creators through their FilmKaravan inbox.  You may decide to provide contact information when you are ready to communicate directly via phone or e-mail. We will not distribute or publicize your e-mail address to members on our site without your permission, nor will we distribute e-mail addresses to third parties. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.
5. What kinds of projects will I be able to find here?
   South Asian specialty films of every genre and budget, by both emerging and established directors, writers and producers working around the world, united through a single vision at FilmKaravan.com. See a list of FilmKaravan creators.
6. Which project details will I be able to see?
   Creators decide how much information they want to share with industry. Typically, every project has a detailed synopsis, shooting locations, key crew names, project status, confirmed cast (where available), a budget range, and crew biographies. Stills and excerpts are optional but most seekers do choose to provide examples of their work.
7. How can I contact a director or producer with a project on FilmKaravan.com?
   The site’s messaging feature allows creators and seekers to communicate privately until they want to exchange e-mail or other contact information.
8. Are all your projects up to date?
   Profiles are constantly tracked and updated by site managers to ensure that you are accessing the most current details about any project.
9. What does annual membership provide me with besides full access to member projects?
   FilmKaravan produces a variety of programs in major cities through its partnership with film organizations and companies to present exclusive premieres, screening series, networking meetings programs, film markets and more. The list is always increasing as we continue to build important relationships with media partners who celebrate and champion South Asian cinema. We are constantly developing the best platform to showcase member projects to the industry and the audience beyond what is available through our website. See a list of our past and upcoming programs.

CREATORS

1. Who is a creator?
   A writer, director, actor or producer with at least one produced fiction or documentary film credit (shorts or features) that has either screened at film festivals, received awards, had a release, received critical praise or been selected for a FilmKaravan program.  Creators with films that have not been previously screened or reviewed may apply for membership, to be granted at the discretion of FilmKaravan reviewers. Since FilmKaravan membership is based on a qualifying project, you may reapply with a different qualifying project.
2. Why do I have to qualify for membership?
   We are committed to developing a competitive database of projects that will attract a high caliber of industry professionals.  Our executives join the site because of our stringent evaluation criteria. As programmers of the site, we operate similarly to any other entity that is selective about the work it represents. However, we have a wide range of tastes and strive to present a diversity of projects, both in quality and experience.
3. What projects do you look at along with the membership application?
   Screenplays, film excerpts from works-in-progress and rough cuts of films, documentary trailers and proposals, and short films.  You decide what to submit as the best example of your work.
4. Why should I list my project on FilmKaravan.com?
   Our mission is to create a comprehensive database of industry professionals who are actively seeking projects from South Asian directors, writers and producers. This is why we work diligently to program quality film projects.  You can always expect unmatched access through our database, as we update and grow the list of members to accurately reflect changes and moves as they happen in the industry.
5. How is my idea or project protected?
   You will be required to sign a standard release form before you join. There is no guarantee of 100% protection, however we keep records of who is accessing your work and notify you of any and all such activity.
6. Can I look at other member projects on the site?
   You will have limited access to other member projects as a Creator. Seekers receive full access to project details because their membership terms & conditions are different.
7. Which companies and industry professionals do I get access to through your site?
   You can browse a list of industry members and companies here before you sign up.  Membership allows you to send messages to industry members who have requested this feature on their profile.
8. How is FilmKaravan.com different from other sites?
   FilmKaravan was conceived by filmmakers, programmers and industry professionals to create a resource for our colleagues and peers to share their work and forge collaborations. Our programs and networking features are designed while keeping intact the creative vision of filmmakers who produce quality work, and the priorities of top industry executive who are interested in content to diversify and enhance their slate of projects.
9. What is the FilmKaravan Showcase Series?
   We program and produce select events, including screenings, film markets, screenplay development forums, and red carpet events to bring together South Asian filmmakers and the community that supports them.  Some programs are targeted to industry, some to the public, but all of them find ways to highlight cutting edge films from or about South Asia.
10. How do you keep my contact information private from non-industry members?
    FilmKaravan audience members fall into the viewer category and join the site to stay in the know about your projects and success, so limited details are made available, upon your approval.  Viewers do not have access to any other details about you or your work and may only contact you through your profile message board if you grant them such access.
11. What does annual membership provide me besides a listing in the largest database of quality South Asian film projects?
    Party invites, early access to apply for FilmKaravan programs, pre-selection to certain programs. Eligibility for Special Release and premiere services available through FilmKarvan.
12. How often can I update my project status?
    This is your space! So we encourage you to be creative and stay on top of your project details and status. Industry members are busy and don’t have the time to research if your details are accurate. Make it as easy as possible for them to decide that they want your project.
13. Can you guarantee that my project will get produced? (Are you a production company or an agency?)
    We provide a safe and convenient forum for industry to learn about the newest projects from South Asian writers, directors and producers
14. Is there a standard format?
    We have different format requirements based on the work being submitted. See our list of Formats.

VIEWERS

1. Who is a viewer?
   Anybody with an interest in watching, supporting or staying in the know about groundbreaking South Asian cinema and the people behind it.   FilmKaravan viewers are the first to know everything that is fit to share about the latest film projects, even before the film hits screens!
2. What will I find on FilmKaravan.com?
   Listings of hundreds of projects and filmmakers, including casting and release updates about films in progress, screening notifications, notable sightings, on-set stills, festival footage and lots more interesting trivia to keep you up to speed on South Asian cinema.
3. What does membership entitle me to?
   Viewer membership is FREE and entitles you to comment on and share your views about film posts that FilmKaravan creators share with the intention of receiving crucial feedback. You also receive exclusive invites to member screenings and FilmKaravan showcase screenings, party invitations and many other events.
4. Do I have to be of South Asian descent to become an audience member?
   Absolutely not! FilmKaravan was created to celebrate diversity in South Asian cinema, and to encourage myriad storytelling voices and disciplines besides the usual Bollywood fare.  We similarly welcome diversity in our audience members.
5. I have a video clip of an actor who is a member of your site, can I post it?
   We do not allow video posts of actors and other celebrities unless first authorized by them. If you have an interesting post that could be useful to other FilmKaravan viewers we recommend checking the suitability of the posting with us first.
6. Should I join FilmKaravan even if I live in a city where you don’t currently have any screenings or events?
   We’re constantly expanding our network and keep track of where our viewers are located to develop programs in places that have high viewer concentration.  Often, viewer demographic is the basis for creating new programs in partnership with sponsor organizations in that area.  FilmKaravan membership gives you access to a wealth of online content from filmmakers, and it’s only a matter of time before you may have access to live screening and events in your city.
7. I just rated a clip from an up and coming director on your site, what do you do with my rating?
   Viewer ratings help filmmakers judge the appeal of their work even before they have finished editing their film projects. Filmmakers appreciate and welcome your ratings, especially if they provide constructive feedback on their works in progress. Plus, FilmKaravan’s industry members pay close attention to your ratings as it helps them gauge the marketability and distribution/production potential of projects that they are interested in.
8. I really want to read the script for an interesting project on your site, what should I do?
   Unless you have qualified for membership as a Seeker it is not possible to requests screenplays or other works.  This is to protect the creator’s work and ensure that it is accessible only to serious qualified industry executives with an interest in working with them. As a viewer you have different access to member projects and filmmakers welcome your feedback and comments when they post work for that purpose.
9. What early-bird updates will I get to projects and events?
   The PLUG IN and FRESH FEED sections are automatically updated with the latest news and happenings as project details are modified or added by creators regularly to provide industry members with accurate and up to date information about their projects.
   
   FilmKaravan events are open to the public advertised in local news, magazine and media outlets. However, we always keep our viewers updated through site announcements and individual messages on a priority basis, and make sure they can sign up for events, screenings and parties before they open to the public.
10. I have just finished a screenplay. Can I change my membership to Creator?

Just fill out a Creator Membership Application and indicate in the Notes field that you are changing status.