Mumbai, May 2014: WIFT (Women in Film and Television) India Rising hosted an evening honoring women from the film industry who have contributed to the growth and development of films, TV and media industry. WIFT India took the initiative of bringing this year’s women National Award winners together to felicitate them and support women whose films have been selected for Cannes Film Festival.

The women who were felicitated were Geetanjali Thapa, Shabnam Sukhdev, Anjali Patil, Amruta Subhash, Sumitra Bhave, Shweta Ghosh, Bela Shende, Aarti Shrivastava, Akanksha Sood Singh, Gauri Gadgil, Sanjana Rai, Charu Shree Roy, Alaka Sahani, Kavita Bahl and Padma Shri  recipient Sooni Taraporewala  who is also advisory board member with WIFT India was also honoured.

WIFT India is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to provide a dynamic platform to facilitate the exchange of ideas, accelerate the professional development and recognize the achievement of women in film, television and other screen based media as the term itself initiates debate and discussion even though women in several fields has powered their own destinies.

On this occasion Ms. Petrina D Rozario, Founder President, WIFT, India says, “The national award is a very prestigious award in the country and it is great inspiration for women who might nurture the dream of working in the entertainment industry. This is an initiative by WIFT to get all the successful women under the same roof to celebrate their achievement in the film and television industry.” adding this Actor Imran Khan said, “I’m very happy to support this initiative by WIFT India, this felicitation ceremony is a platform not only that appreciates women and their talent in film and television but also encourages women to join this industry and showcase their talent”.

The night also saw presence of Imran Khan,  Pallavi Sharda, Tanuja Chandra, Nandita Das, Divya Bhushan Kumar, Rituparna Sengupta, Rajiv Khandelwal, Nandana Sen and many more gathered to appreciate the achievements of these talented women.

With so many successful women coming together under the same roof to celebrate their achievement in the film and television industry was indeed very magical.

The winners were felicitated with a small trophy and gifts by Tangerine, a designer brand offering home décor solutions. 3DI School New Zealand that teach the art of 2D, 3D animation, Stop Motion filming, Claymation, Live animation to grade 1 to 12 together with WIFT India has adopted an under-privileged school in Derhadun to teach them the art of animation.

About WIFT: Women in Film & Television Association India is a not-for-profit global organization dedicated to provide a dynamic platform to facilitate the exchange of ideas, accelerate the professional development and recognize the achievement of women in film, television and other screen based media.