July 2004

Tamasha Films was set up in 2002 as a vehicle to take the successful work of Tamasha Theatre Company to film. Led by artistic directors Kristine Landon-Smith and Sudha Bhuchar Tamasha Films shot their first film, Midnight Feast, an 8 minute short, in May 2003. Their next short, Kismet, is due to be made in the Autumn of 2004.

"For a long time Tamasha Theatre Company has wanted to venture into the world of film. With East is East, first developed and produced by Tamasha, becoming one of the biggest grossing British films it was clear that Tamasha had something to offer the film world. Balti Kings (the theatre play on which Midnight Feast was based) was considered as a potential feature but it soon became clear that we needed some real experience in film to be taken seriously. My motto has always been that to learn something you have to do it. So we decided to make a short.

On a budget of £3,000 we found a producer through Raindance and a DOP who had worked with Tamasha before and then set about finding the rest of the team. It was a heartening experience to find so many committed and highly experienced individuals to work on this short film for no money.

I found the transition from theatre to film exhilarating and I learned so much from the other professionals with vast experience in the field who helped me adjust my thinking as required. Now to have the tangible DVD of the film in my hand gives us all confidence and we are ready to go full steam ahead for our next short Kismet to be filmed in the autumn!"

Kristine Landon-Smith

Director, Tamasha Films