Delhi Based Overdose Films Seeks to Provide Superior and RadicalCinematic Content

He communicates with visuals. In films, in design, in campaigns and in current affairs. So after starting off as the youngest cartoonist with ‘The Statesman’ newspaper in 1990, and contributing cartoon plates and strips as per the politics & current affairs, then; Spandan Banerjee came to Delhi to start his own venture- Overdose Films.For the last 7 years, he has created a business structure and a revenue model, which produces films and design work on a regular basis for an eclectic set of clients. Unlike an advertising film production company, Overdose claims to have produced independent documentaries and fiction films which have been hugely successful in the international festival market all across USA and Europe. This, for them, is a unique achievement since they believe it is extremely difficult to maintain equal expertise and recognition in both mass market films and niche audience cinema.

“I see Overdose recognised as the first film production company which has successfully created a business model for independent film makers and film writers, who otherwise tend to get lost in the crowded market of mass media. With a consistent output of quality films coming out from a set of highly talented individuals, Overdose has established its credentials in both artistic quality and business ability” Spandan adds.

The Core Idea of Overdose:

The nucleus plan of Overdose Films is to take this initiative forward in a more

organised and larger scale, and to operate as an idea house, conceptualizing and visualizing modes of communication. For the last eight years, Overdose has been actively involved in Creative Consultancy for various Indian and Multinational Brands, designing their communication strategy including advertising campaigns as well as developing new methods of communication for the social and non-governmental sector. Since then, they have directed more than 50 advertising commercials for various brands as well as commissioned film projects with several Advertising Awards including the prestigious ABBY. Alongside this, Overdose Films has been producing independent shorts, documentaries, narrative films maintaining my alternative independent profile as a filmmaker. The independent films directed by Spandan have been premiered and received critical acclaim at various international film festivals across Europe and USA.

Currently, Overdose Films is established as a company producing films for both mass media consumption and artistic appreciation; and attracts an exciting mix of clients and commissioning editors.

Challenges of Screen Sector and Growth:

In the context of screen sector, Spandan’s work is not just limited to filmmaking rather at imagining and directing the entire process from creating the germ of an idea, its

production, distribution, creation of an audience and its final impact and result. He says that Overdose Films is also the only such idea-house film production company, which has managed to create a steady balance of commercial, commissioned and independent artistic work.

“As an entrepreneur I have always emphasised the need for the self-sufficient revenue model and this is where the biggest challenge lies for me in the future regarding the independent film movement. I hope to extend my entrepreneurial skills and experience gathered through my work in advertising, social and governmental sectors into independent documentary and feature production. I hope to develop Overdose Films truly as a platform, which will get into production, distribution and exhibition of independent cinema from India. The challenge here will be ensure a sufficient revenue model keeping in mind the constant demand for creative content in the context of the changing audience.

I also intend to expand Overdose Films as the possible cross-media forum where a community will be created comprising of filmmakers, distribution experts, international channels and new audiences, where crowd funding will also be explored making film truly a collective and community enterprise. All these verticals will create enough equity for the brand name Overdose, which will further support more filmmakers also creating a pool of ideas and content and a network” Spandan tells YourStory.Spandan Banerjee is a National Award winning independent film-maker, based in Delhi. Born in Kolkata, he studied at St. Xavier's College and moved to Delhion work. He further studied Commercial Art for three years from BirlaAcademyof Art & Culture and then started Overdose Films in 2003.

Spandan was also a finalist at British Council’s Young Screen Entrepreneur Awards, 2011. To know more about the Young Screen Entrepreneur Awards, click here. Follow the Young Creative Entrepreneur Awards (YCE) on Facebook