ASHIM BHALLA is an award-winning filmmaker trained in NYU’s Graduate Film Program under Spike Lee and Founder and Producer of the PURPLE LIST talent and screenplay and development program. Nineteen feature films have emerged from the initiative, and alums include Shaka King, Cathy Yan, and Chloe Zhao. Ashim is Scriptwriter and Producer of the theatrical documentary CHAPLIN | SPIRIT OF THE TRAMP (2024) which received its World Premiere at San Sebastián Film Festival where it won the Irizar Award and its N.America Premiere at Telluride in 2025. He is Producer of the award-winning Afghanistan war documentary, and 2024 Slamdance opening night film, ONE BULLET (2023) directed by Oscar and BAFTA-winner Carol Dysinger. Writer/Director/Producer of the Amazon rainforest drama 973 (2022) distributed worldwide by Canal+. Ashim is an Executive Producer on the dramatic feature film, MASTER, by the acclaimed Bangladeshi filmmaker Rezwan Shahriar Sumit which will receive its World Premiere in the Big Screen Competition at the 2026 edition of IFFR.…

Ashim Bhalla

ASHIM BHALLA is an award-winning filmmaker trained in NYU’s Graduate Film Program under Spike Lee and Founder and Producer of the PURPLE LIST talent and screenplay and development program. Nineteen feature films have emerged from the initiative, and alums include Shaka King, Cathy Yan, and Chloe Zhao. Ashim is Scriptwriter and Producer of the theatrical documentary CHAPLIN | SPIRIT OF THE TRAMP (2024) which received its World Premiere at San Sebastián Film Festival where it won the Irizar Award and its N.America Premiere at Telluride in 2025. He is Producer of the award-winning Afghanistan war documentary, and 2024 Slamdance opening night film, ONE BULLET (2023) directed by Oscar and BAFTA-winner Carol Dysinger. Writer/Director/Producer of the Amazon rainforest drama 973 (2022) distributed worldwide by Canal+. Ashim is an Executive Producer on the dramatic feature film, MASTER, by the acclaimed Bangladeshi filmmaker Rezwan Shahriar Sumit which will receive its World Premiere in the Big Screen Competition at the 2026 edition of IFFR.…

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ASHIM BHALLA is an award-winning filmmaker trained in NYU’s Graduate Film Program under Spike Lee and Founder and Producer of the PURPLE LIST talent and screenplay and development program. Nineteen feature films have emerged from the initiative, and alums include Shaka King, Cathy Yan, and Chloe Zhao. Ashim is Scriptwriter and Producer of the theatrical documentary CHAPLIN | SPIRIT OF THE TRAMP (2024) which received its World Premiere at San Sebastián Film Festival where it won the Irizar Award and its N.America Premiere at Telluride in 2025. He is Producer of the award-winning Afghanistan war documentary, and 2024 Slamdance opening night film, ONE BULLET (2023) directed by Oscar and BAFTA-winner Carol Dysinger. Writer/Director/Producer of the Amazon rainforest drama 973 (2022) distributed worldwide by Canal+. Ashim is an Executive Producer on the dramatic feature film, MASTER, by the acclaimed Bangladeshi filmmaker Rezwan Shahriar Sumit which will receive its World Premiere in the Big Screen Competition at the 2026 edition of IFFR.

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Skills

Experience Level

Script
Expert
Set Design
Expert
Short Film
Expert
Video Advert
Intermediate
Copywriting
Intermediate

Language

English
Fluent
French
Advanced
Portuguese
Beginner
Spanish; Castilian
Beginner

Work Experience

Independent Filmmaker at Kwanon Films
January 1, 2013 - Present
Co-founder and principal producer developing international narrative and documentary feature projects; oversees development, financing, production, and partnerships to champion emerging filmmakers.
Founder & Producer at Purple List
January 1, 2012 - Present
Founder of an annual selection of the best production-ready screenplays by NYU graduate students and recent alumni; coordinates with industry partners to advance opportunities for emerging writers.
Compliance Officer at British Board of Film Classification
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2021
Consulted on content and recommended age-ratings, including proof of age checks for performers and other regulatory actions.
BBC Production Talent Pool at BBC Drama (London)
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2014
Selected from over 2000 candidates and contributed to episodic content development and production tasks.
Assistant to the Industry Liaison at Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film & TV, Tisch School of the Arts
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2010
Industry events role; scheduled talks and workshops with top industry figures; coordinated weekly screenings with Q&As as part of an annual program.
BBC Production Talent Pool at BBC Drama
January 1, 2013 - January 1, 2014
Selected from over 2000 candidates to work on episodic content; gained experience in high-level production environments in London.

Education

M.F.A. in Film Production at New York University, Tisch School of the Arts
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2013
B.A. in Philosophy at University College London
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1999

Qualifications

BAFTA Bursary
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009
Maurice Kanbar Scholarship
January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009
Hollywood Foreign Press Association Grant
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015
Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Membership
January 1, 2019 - January 7, 2026
ICAA Production Grant (Spain)
January 1, 2022 - December 31, 2022
Festival Launch Support Award – Chaplin | Spirit of The Tramp (BFI Global Screen Fund)
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024
Writers' Guild of Great Britain Membership
January 1, 2019 - January 7, 2026
Hollywood Foreign Press Association Grant
January 1, 2015 - January 7, 2026
BAFTA Bursary
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2009
Maurice Kanbar Scholarship
January 1, 2009 - January 1, 2009
Departmental Fellowship, Tisch School of the Arts
January 1, 2010 - January 1, 2010
Cinematography Award, First Run Film Festival
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016
British Film Institute’s Game Changer Program
January 1, 2016 - January 1, 2016
Industrial Scripts Overdrive Initiative
January 1, 2015 - January 1, 2015

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other, Non-Profit Organization

Skills

Experience Level

Script
Expert
Set Design
Expert
Short Film
Expert
Video Advert
Intermediate
Copywriting
Intermediate