Richa and Ali announce the second edition of Undercurrent Lab 2025, a platform to empower women in cinema

Ahead of Women’s Day, Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal have announced the second edition of Undercurrent Lab 2025 to empower more women in cinema. The initial workshop was a first-of-its-kind, hands-on training programme that selected 10 talented women through a rigorous interview process to master the art of lighting for cinema. Over the week-long crash course, these women received direct mentorship from experienced cinematographers, gaining invaluable on-field experience by working as trainees on active film sets.

Advertisement

Richa shared, “The success of the first edition of Undercurrent Lab has been nothing short of inspiring. We witnessed incredible talent and passion as these women not only learned the technical intricacies of lighting but also embraced the creative spirit of cinema.”

“Their achievements, especially with some joining the nearly all-women crew of Girls Will Be Girls, affirm our commitment to nurturing female talent in every facet of filmmaking.”

With Undercurrent Lab 2025, Richa said they were taking a bold step forward. “We are introducing a new department that will offer comprehensive training in various aspects of film production, ensuring that more women get the chance to break into this competitive industry.”

“This initiative is about creating opportunities, building confidence, and providing a platform for aspiring women professionals to thrive. I am incredibly excited about this next chapter and I believe it will be a catalyst for more inclusive and innovative storytelling in cinema.”