Industry Connect 2025: A Grand Celebration of Cinema and Creativity at Garden City College, Bangalore
Bangalore | July 9, 2025 — The vibrant campus of Garden City College turned into a hub of cinematic celebration on July 8, 2025, as it hosted the much-anticipated Industry Connect 2025 — an event aimed at bridging the gap between film industry professionals and aspiring media students. The event brought together some of the most respected names from the Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi film industries under one roof.
The highlight of the event was the felicitation ceremony that honored distinguished contributors from the Indian film and media industry for their exemplary work. Among those honored was JJ Sharma, a visionary filmmaker, educator, and entrepreneur, who was recognized for his groundbreaking startup Filmkar.com, a platform that has rapidly transformed how film professionals network, collaborate, and find opportunities in the digital era.
Speaking at the event, JJ Sharma expressed gratitude and shared his journey:
“It’s truly humbling to be recognized among such great talent. Filmkar.com was born out of the challenges I faced as a filmmaker. Today, it stands as a testament to the power of community and technology in reshaping our industry.”
Several other notable industry figures were also felicitated, including award-winning cinematographers, producers, editors, and actors who have significantly contributed to regional and national cinema. Panel discussions, student interactions, and Q&A sessions with the guests created a dynamic and inspiring atmosphere for the college’s media and performing arts students.
About Filmkar.com
Filmkar.com, India’s pioneering film-tech platform, proudly marks its first anniversary since its nationwide launch, revolutionizing the way film professionals connect, collaborate, and grow across the country.
Launched officially on April 9, 2024—on the eve of the Ugadi festival—Filmkar.com has quickly become a transformative digital ecosystem for aspiring filmmakers, actors, casting directors, and technicians. What began as a humble idea in 2019 is now a game-changing platform reshaping India’s film industry from the grassroots up.
Behind this innovation is JJ Sharma, a passionate filmmaker, educator, and tech visionary with deep roots in the Kannada film industry. Having worked on several Kannada films and trained hundreds of creative professionals, Sharma brings firsthand insight into the struggles of breaking into cinema without the right connections.
“The idea for Filmkar.com came when I saw my own students—bright, creative minds—struggling to showcase their talents,” says Sharma. “There was no central place for actors, technicians, and creators to meet and collaborate. Social media was too fragmented. We needed something focused and industry-ready.”
A Vision Forged Through Experience
JJ Sharma’s journey began in 2014 with the launch of Macwin Studio & Cine Academy, an initiative that continues to nurture emerging film talent. In 2017, he launched Cinemandi.com, an online platform for consolidating equipment rentals across Karnataka. Though short-lived, Cinemandi laid the groundwork for Sharma’s deeper understanding of tech-driven platforms in the film domain.
By 2019, having witnessed the digital void in professional networking for film aspirants, Sharma began developing Filmkar.com with his web development team. After weathering the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, a pilot version of the platform was released in April 2021. It was tested by a trusted circle of students, industry peers, and engineers—helping refine the platform into the robust network it is today.
Momentum Across Karnataka and Beyond
In 2023, Filmkar.com entered a trial phase across Karnataka, receiving praise and validation from icons of the Kannada film industry including P. Sheshadri (8-time National Award winner), V. Manohar, Jayamala, B. Suresh, and others. Their support gave the platform credibility as it prepared for an all-India rollout.
On April 9, 2024, Filmkar.com was officially launched across India, establishing itself as the country’s first unified platform for professional film networking.
Solving Real Challenges in the Industry
Filmkar.com directly addresses two key pain points in the industry:
- Access to Opportunities: The platform offers a verified space where users can create profiles, upload portfolios, and connect with genuine opportunities—eliminating the clutter of unreliable social media.
- Talent Discovery: Casting professionals can post detailed casting calls and use smart filters (age, gender, height, etc.) to find talent quickly and efficiently.
More Than a Platform—A Movement
Filmkar.com is not just a job board; it is a comprehensive digital community. From actors and producers to cinematographers, editors, and agencies, it empowers the entire film ecosystem by building meaningful, long-term collaborations.
“Filmkar isn’t just a website—it’s a movement,” adds Sharma. “We are bridging the gap between talent and opportunity. It doesn’t matter if you’re from a small town or a major city—everyone has access now.”
The Road Ahead
With a successful first year behind it, Filmkar.com is preparing to launch new features such as:
- Dedicated Post-Production Server Infrastructure
- Live Casting Call functionalities
- An expanded Industry Network for seamless collaboration across all film departments
What began as a passion project has now become a cornerstone of India’s growing film-tech ecosystem. As the platform evolves, its mission remains clear: to democratize opportunity and create a more connected, transparent, and thriving film industry.
“We’ve only scratched the surface,” says Sharma. “This is just the beginning of what Filmkar.com will do for Indian cinema.”
