Raksha [Shorts Session 6]
At a young age, Archana, is told that she is cursed. After an astrologer says that she is Manglik (cursed due to the positioning of Mars in her horoscope), her family tries to counteract the curse in various ways. At 25, Archana is about to perform a ritual to cleanse herself of the curse, but finds herself in a position that might prove her horoscope true.
Director
Meredith Koch is a 2017 graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory. Her thesis film titled, RAKSHA uses south Indian and Hindu beliefs as a backdrop to tell a dramatic story about a girl who is perceived as cursed. The film will pursue the 2017/2018 festival circuit and will serve as a stepping stone to future projects.
Meredith began directing movies on super 8 film in her hometown, Portland, OR. Her films were made at the Northwest Film Center and screened at the Portland Art Museum. She studied in the film program at the University of California Los Angeles, UCLA. Meredith directed experimental and narrative films including THE DEEP END (2011), which premiered at LA Shorts Fest and was acquired by IndieFlix distribution.
Meredith has worked as an assistant director and director/writer on an array of films and television pilots. Some of these titles include THE TUDORS TV show (2009), BOXTROLLS (2015) starring Ellen Fanning, and ACTORS ANONYMOUS (2016) starring James Franco. Meredith’s undergraduate thesis film, THE DEEP END won the Frank Glickman Memorial Scholarship, Panavision New Filmmaker’s Scholarship, and UCLA’s Blue Ribbon Award.
Meredith’s wide range of experiences as an assistant director lead to her acceptance into the DGA Training Program for assistant directors. This opportunity coincided with her acceptance into AFI’s prestigious directing program, which Meredith pursued with enthusiasm. At AFI, Meredith has developed a non-linear storytelling style inspired by the power of the subconscious and the adrenaline of characters who search for truth. She hopes to use these elements to direct films within the thriller and horror genres.