Dr. Romesh Japra, an Indian doctor in Silicon Valley, is also the founder of the fast-evolving Festival Of Globe event — a film-tech festival focused on marrying the two universes of arts and technology.

The 2016 preparations are well underway. Here, we speak to him about the history of his rather innovative initiative, and what the road looks like in the future:

Dr.Japra.AwardsNight

Two disparate worlds, yet far more interwoven than they look — technology and films. What made you come up with this idea? Tell us a bit about the history of your festival.

RJ: Film arts needs technology. It is almost a necessity in this day and age. And necessity is the mother of invention. Over the years, movie makers have been giving everything they have to express their feelings and passions through film arts, especially independent films. Unfortunately, they have not been able to get their message through to the masses. I have been living in Silicon Valley since 1979, and have seen it all. It has created the evolution of technology and revolution in our lives. So it was a natural and perfect fit.

You’re a doctor in Silicon Valley; how did you end up here, heading a unique cultural event like this? 

In the ’70s and ’80s, a few doctors were the main funders of cultural events. I have always had a passion for community service. I think my mother had imbibed it in me. Whenever I went back home in Phagwara, Punjab from AIIMS or the States, she would not give me my breakfast until I took care of all the patients who used to line up in the street in front of our small house. In 1983, I co-founded Fremont Hindu Temple and Cultural Center for which we had to buy a church and convert it, after not being able to get a permit; the Hare Rama Hare Krishna movement were making people get the wrong impression of religious conversion. Besides heading this center, I provided free medical service to many every Sunday, got involved in many other cultural, social and civic organisations. I also became President and Chairman of Federation of Indo-Americans, National Political Forum, Chamber of Commerce, Professional organisations and so on. In 1993, I founded Festival of India and Parade which has grown from 5,000 to 200,000 attendees in 2015. It has been a long journey and I prefer it that way. We have added lots of properties along the way and in 2014 we had the first FOG Movie Fest.

Riff@IndiaDay Parade

Was there a particular incident or moment that inspired you to walk the talk, or is it a culmination of years of cinema enthusiasm?

No dramatic moment. It has been fairly calculated and thought through culmination. I have always respected and practiced change. I’ll give you few of the many reasons of our adding FOG Movie Fest to our myriad of other events:

My passion has been connecting and empowering communities. Besides music, performing arts and cultural events, visual arts through films is the only other way to reach out to diverse communities globally.

Sitting in the technology hub in Silicon Valley, we can inspire lot more innovation in film making and digital and other means of film distribution, and thus reaching out to masses globally. Otherwise, 90 percent of the Independent films end up in the closets.

Silicon Valley is the place where ideas and dreams get realized and converted into wealth. Through forums like Investor Pitch, we bring Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists, Bankers and Entrepreneurs (film makers) onto a single platform.

From the diversity and ethnicity point of view, Silicon Valley is like United Nations. We plan to give equal opportunity and plain field for all the global communities to participate, engage and empower themselves.

The Festival Of Globe — interesting choice of name. Elaborate?

It was a natural evolution and elevation from Festival of India to Festival of Globe. After serving and empowering Indian Americans for 25 years, seeing the encouraging transformation from 100% Indians to 50% non-desi participation, and fielding requests from other diverse and relatively new communities, I made this bold and challenging decision despite concerns from my colleagues. We Indian Americans have become pioneers in many fields including high-tech and IT. Why not this initiative as well?

GuneetMonga

For those who aren’t too familiar with your work, tell us a bit about your edition this year.

Festival of Globe is evolving rather rapidly. Every year, it has to become bigger, better and richer. This year, we have a fabulous collection from Bollywood, Hollywood, other countries and regional Indian films.We have representation from more than 30 countries. I really feel blessed and gratified when some of the film fraternity attendees inform me of their follow-up success. Director Param Gill, our 2014 Best Director, bagged 3 assignments right after. The best movie ‘Last Supper’ got sold to a distributor. The Best Producer for Sahara, Satish Rai got funded in Australia for his next film. Mahi, a performer and a volunteer gets picked up as a Choreographer. Best supporting actor for ‘Identity Card’, Prashantt Guptha gets major leading roles in upcoming Hindi films. Our investor pitch panelist from Silicon Valley, Chet Jain ends up venturing into 3 new films. Best lyricist, Sandeep Nath gets inspired to become a filmmaker. FOG Awardee of Excellence, Gulshan Grover has become our adviser and International proponent to globalise the film industry. Best Actress Richa Chadha and other Awardees, Divya Khosla Kumar, Krishika Lulla, Lauren Gottlieb, Guneet Monga and Deepti Naval who also participated in our 2015 theme Forum of Women Empowerment have become global Ambassadors of this initiative. Our movie screening complex has started showing Hindi films on a regular basis. This makes the whole exercise worthwhile.

RichaChadha

Do you like watching a specific kind of cinema? Does this model actively provide more than  simply a screening platform?

To me, every film has a message, where its maker is trying to express his/her feelings, perspective, story, talent, craft and passion, all at one time. It’s not an easy balance to master. I love theme-oriented films. As a matter of fact, every year we have an associated social cause which we try to promote.

This year, we are promoting the social cause of ‘Empowering Youth against Sex Crimes’: Educate! Empower!! Eradicate!!!
We are showcasing quite a few movies incorporating this noble social cause. Actors, artists and directors will also participate in multiple forums and tracks to highlight this enigma.

How would you describe this festival to a layman? Any message to festival enthusiasts?

Festival of Globe has something for everyone. Besides being a ‘mela’ where art, crafts and other products and services get exhibited, we have a cultural program including dancers, singers and other performing artists throughout the festival. The festival offers food fest, free health fair and a grand parade celebrating democracy, freedom, independence, culture and heritage. We have the living legend Guinness World Record holder,P. Susheela Garu, attending FOG idol concert and receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award with 12 other superb singers performing and paying tribute. There is an International fashion fest as well. Rana Daggubati of ‘Bahubali’ fame will lead the parade. Hip-hop rappers, world famous French Montana, Berner, Mallymall and Anjali World will rock the festival representing emerging trends and total entertainment. It should be quite an experience. You don’t want to miss it.