Leaders

The global box office revenue amounted to USD 38 billion in 2016 and reached USD 50 billion by 2020. The rising film industry across the globe specially the Hollywood and Bollywood drive the market growth. With increase in number of movies being made the need for proper distribution and launch increases. Hence Mind Blowing Films came into play as a leading film distribution company spanning across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji to promote Indian cinema and create quality contents that hold strong social message and give the audience perspectives to think. MBF provides a one-stop-shop for all production needs from crew, equipment hire, locations, casting through to film grants, visa Arrangements, logistics and catering. Women Entrepreneur India engages in a conversation with Mitu Bhowmick Lange, Founder of Mind Blowing Films, in order to know more about MBF and the core philosophies it is governed by.

Give us a brief overview of Mind Blowing Films and also tell us about your prior industry experience.

Mind Blowing Films is a leading film distribution company spanning across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Since its establishment in 2009, the company has become one of the fastest growing media companies in Australia through its various successful ventures to promote Indian Cinema in Australia. Through the different arms of distribution and production under the MBF banner, the vision of the company is consistent, to deliver a `mind- blowing' experience to their audiences. MBF has line-produced various blockbusters to its credit and continues this streak with their latest venture of producing a highly acclaimed documentary Raising the Bar in conjunction with E- Motion 21 in 2016. In 2019, MBF released an astounding 48 films theatrically. In the last 12 years, MBF have generated over USD 110 million AUD to the Australian box office and counting. Mind Blowing Films is the only distribution company to have won four awards for Highest Grossing Foreign Film at the AIMC (Australian International Movie Convention) for its releases.

I began my career in Bombay where I directed and produced several TV shows including entertainment, news and fashion magazine programs and a daily breakfast show for leading channels including BBC World, Star Plus, Zee TV and Sony TV. I also produced and directed the multi award winning documentary ­ Watch Without Prejudice, about the impact of violence on the children in Kashmir. The film was presented by Unicef India. Since living in Australia, I have produced and introduced several Indian productions to Australia, including producing 13 episodes shot in Australia of India's number 1 daily television serial Kahani Ghar Kii , Bollywood film Koi Aap Saa and blockbusters like Salaam Namaste, first Indian film to be shot entirely overseas that singlehandedly increased tourism to Victoria by 17 percent from India, Chak De India, Bachna Aye Haseeno, Main Aurr Mrs Khanna, Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic, Love Aaj Kal and several leading television commercials for the Indian market.

“In 2017, i received the jill Robb award from film Victoria for my leadership and contribution in the film industry. In 2018, i was appointed to the board of film Victoria, as the first Indian in Australia to be offered this prestigious role”

Tell us about your ongoing journey and the recognitions you have been honored with as an empowering woman in the industry.

I produced the film Spice Girls of India, which was screened at the London Feminist Film Festival. I am now in the jury of LFFF. In 2017, I received the Jill Robb Award from Film Victoria for my leadership and contribution in the film industry. In 2018, I was appointed to the Board of Film Victoria, as the first Indian in Australia to be offered this prestigious role. In 2018, I designed and curated an Australian film showcase at the 2018 Kolkata International Film Festival. The showcase focused on 100 years of Australian Cinema with a poster exhibition and film screenings, as well as a retrospective of Phillip Noyce Films and the best of Australian films.

What are the milestones that you have achieved so far?

In 2016, I produced the multi award-winning documentary, Raising the Bar which was directed by renowned Indian filmmaker, Onir. The film depicts the trials, tribulations and joys of six individuals from Australia and India with Down Syndrome who meet the World Down Syndrome Conference in Chennai. In 2017, I worked alongside La Trobe University to create Educate the Educators (ETE) as a platform to help equip educators with the mind and skill required to address the teaching needs of special needs children. Launched by leading Indian film actress and IFFM Ambassador, Vidya Balan in 2016, Educate the Educators, collaborated with Blue Bells International School (New Delhi, India) and La Trobe University to help identify a wide range of potential opportunities to develop and sustain education. This program aimed to bring both Australian and Indian educators together to address the diverse range of teaching techniques required to promote healthy learning among children with special needs.

Mitubhowmick Lange, Founder Of Mind Blowing Films

Pooja is a transformational leader today who is more concerned with the team's success than her own. Currently leading as Director- Sales at Datum Solutions, she is committed to enriching the lives of her team members, building a better and stronger organization, and ultimately creating a caring world for the associates and consumers in the markets.