About Me
Indrani Kopal
Documentary Film Producer, Director & Editor E: indranikopal@gmail.com |
I was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and currently living in Sydney, Australia. I have more than 16 years of experience in non-fiction storytelling. I began my career as a TV producer in 2004; however, I found my passion for journalism when I joined Malaysiakini.com, an independent online news organization, as a video journalist in 2006.
After six years at Malaysiakini, I decided to pursue a journey where my heart feels more at home with documentary storytelling. I believe it is through the process of documentary and sharing that our mundane stories become profound. In 2012, I received a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue my MFA in Documentary Film Studies and Production at Hofstra University in New York. In 2016, I returned to my home country and co-founded Far East Documentary Centre with my long-time collaborators. We launched a biography film project and have been exploring various independent non-fiction films, focusing on elevating stories of underrepresented Malaysian communities. |
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Filmmakers & Films That Inspired MeMy filmmaking philosophy, style and cinematic approach are deeply influenced by filmmakers such as Agnès Varda, Chantal Akerman, Trinh T. Minh-Ha, Sarah Polley, Christine Noschese (my former professor at Hofstra University), Jean Rouch, Joris Ivens, and Nicolas Philibert to name a few. Their films taught me the power of observation by focusing on everyday life, the people who live it and sacredly exploring life as it is.
I love poetic, avant-garde, & experimental documentaries, as well as the contemporary hybrid films that weave together nonfiction filmmaking with traditional fiction filmmaking. 
Here's a list of my favourite documentary films. These are compelling films that greatly informed and influenced my storytelling.
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Over the years, I relentlessly pursued one passion: making films that could change hearts and minds and ignite social change around the issues that I care about in my community. This strong ‘purpose’ has constantly motivated me to keep going throughout difficult circumstances, and stay true to my core values, and impart them in the stories I tell.
My most successful films are undeniably stories about resilient women who have overcome incredible challenges – The Game Changer, Teacher the Tradition Bearer, Dr Hartini's HERWORLD series, and my first documentary, She's My Son. I am aware of the complexity of their character and how they fight their everyday storms for justice, equality and freedom. I am also fascinated about how they live, love, and how their values allow them to represent themselves in the world. I truly believe everyone wants to be part of something bigger than themselves. Everyone wants to be part of something special that inspires them, and that's what good stories do. I look for stories that inspire me, and in telling that story, I get to share it with others, and these are the stories that I want to leave behind as my legacy. |
My Filmmaking Journey (2004–2021):
Film festivals experience, the film community, friends, and family have supported me in this incredible journey. Thank you for your love and encouragement, above all, for believing in me and in the work I do.
MY WORLD
Speaking Inquiries
As a former Senior Lecturer at Taylor's University, I've taught various film and media related courses. As a documentary filmmaker, I love sharing my storytelling process through film screenings, followed by an in-depth discussion on the journey. I have developed and given workshops, talks, and presentations and been featured as a speaker, panelist and moderator for many events, film festivals & conferences. I want to empower inspiring and emerging filmmakers with my own experience, skills, and knowledge that I've gained over the years.
To inquire about workshops or speaking engagements, please email me at
indranikopal@gmail.com
To inquire about workshops or speaking engagements, please email me at
indranikopal@gmail.com
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Guest Speaker (2006-present):
2021 Ways of Seeing: Storytelling through documentary, George Town Literary Festival (GTLF) 2021 The Theme of Reimagine: Storytelling in Motion, G-Short Short Film Festival 2021 FINAS: 5-Day Documentary Storytelling and Producing Workshop 2020 The Troublemakers’ Assembly Conference, Taylor's University 2020 Moderator, Women Make Waves Film Screening & Panel 2019 The 6th International Search Conference 2018 Mobile Film Workshop, University of the Bahamas 2018 The 6th iLEAD Conference, Taylor’s University, Malaysia 2017 Visiting Scholar - MacEwan University, Edmonton Canada 2016 The Art of Telling Real Stories on Screen, Curtin University, Sarawak, Malaysia 2016 Women: Girls - The Young Changemakers Summit 2016 AGNI Filmmaking Camp in Malaysia 2015 PEO Convention in Albany, New York, USA 2009 Video Journalism Workshop at The Timor-Leste Media Development Centre (TLMDC), East Timor |
Honours & Awards (2007 - Present):
2019 Asia Tatler's Generation T, Malaysian honouree 2018 Mira Nair Award for Rising Female Filmmaker for "Incarcerated Rhythm". 2016 AGNI Youth Icon Award. 2015 Kalai Payanam Award, Certificate for International Achievement. 2015 Great Women of Our Time Award for "Arts & Media" by The Malaysian Women's Weekly Magazine. 2015 Best Student Documentary Award at The American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at Cannes, France. 2014 Bustle's Annual Upstart Award. 2014 Best Short Documentary at 9th Annual Harlem International Film Festival, New York. 2012-2014 Fulbright Malaysian Graduate Study and Research Scholarship Award. 2010 George Washington University (GWU) International Emerging Documentary Filmmakers Fellowship. 2008 Most Outstanding Asian Youth Ambassador (AYA) Award, Runner up. 2007 Justin Louis Award in Freedom Film Festival, Film 'She's My Son' |
Film Festival Jury (2014 - Present):
2021 International Documentary Association’s (IDA) David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award Jury, USA 2021 G-Short Film Competition (Georgetown Festival), Malaysia 2021 Bank Negara Malaysia MYDUITSTORY Competition, Malaysia 2021 Harlem International Film Festival - Mira Nair Award Jury, USA 2019 BMW Shorties Film Festival, Malaysia 2018 New Hope for Malaysia Video Contest (IACT Student Film Festival) 2018 Malaysian Indian Wedding Photography and Videography (MIWPV) Competition, Malaysia 2018 Freedom Film Festival, Malaysia 2017 Pesta Filem Kita, Malaysia 2016 Freedom Film Festival, Malaysia 2016 Agni Film Award, Malaysia 2014 Hofstra Student Film Festival, New York, USA |
AS FEATURED IN |
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