Sydney based Indian filmmaker Anupam Sharma has been included in the list of the 50 most powerful and influential professionals in the Australian film industry. One of the most prestigious film industry publication 'Encore' released its annual list of film professionals "who have achieved new heights in 2010/11,whose decisions influence and shape Australia's (film industry),and whose work has stood out from the crowd". Sharma shares the spot with well known distributor and exhibition consultant,Peter Castaldi. Sharma,who is the found Australian Film Initiative,has been included in the list only his pioneering and substantial work in developing Australian film links with India. The initiative was founded by Anupam with Peter Castaldi to market,promote and distribute Australian films in non-traditional and emerging markets for a more commercially robust Australian screen culture. The first event of the initiative was a festival of Australian films in India with other regions like South Americas,Middle East,and North Europe to follow. The festival in India was supported by Hugh Jackman and Bill Bennett had a retrospective of his films. 2012 will see Baz Luhrman retrospective being held for the first time in Bollywood. Speaking from his office in Fox Studios,Sharma said,"While such lists should always be taken with a pinch of salt and tongue in cheek,it is a good feeling to be complimented in such a way by one of Australia's leading film publications." With a thesis on Indian cinema and a frequent spot on the speaking circuit/media about Indian entertainment sector,Sharma has been acknowledged as one of the leading experts on Indian cinema. He is currently producing and directing Australia's first feature films and documentaries for the global market with India centric themes. He is the first Australian of Indian origin to make it to the list.
