Strange Destiny

As a Creator, Writer and Director, committed to creating unique and versatile work in both fiction and non- fiction, focusing on strong content and performances. Jigyasa’s directorial treatment is rooted in research , authentic observation of milieus and inner rhythm of characters in long and short formats across genres.

FILM
Jigyasa Taneja Sethi made her debut as an independent writer/director with her fiction film, set in semi-urban North India , dealing with the complex issue of incest "DUSSHERA - THE FESTIVAL" that won her a BAFTA and Regional Oscar nomination . The film has been widely showcased in US and India. Jigyasa sold her first commercial feature length screenplay in 2012 and was also part of Times Warner NewVoices Screenwriters fellowship program for her period drama ”Sukkhi” followed by commercial a Romantic Comedy. Her recent fictional short film as writer/director on teenage romance, body image and sexuality ‘PARI and PINOCCHIO ‘ for Royal Stag Large Short films ,won her a directorial award at Mumbai Shorts International Film Festival and Dadasaheb Award Jury Mention for Best Short in 2019.

Currently she has directed a feature docudrama (period biopic) shot in India and Europe , geared for release in 2023.

WEB and TV
Jigyasa is amongst Top 30 Youtube comedy makers under OML’s Comedy Hunt for her humour series JULAAB GANG ‘Verbal Diarrhoea ‘ which also won a TIE Digital Disruptor Award. Over the last decade , Jigyasa has worked as Creative Director for Television Balaji, Rose , has been Creative Executive at Viacom Voot and has developed and directed series for Balaji ,Star, TVF and other platforms in Hindi , English and Punjabi and has worked as writer, director on several genres including drama , thrillers and adventures.

As Director and Producer, JAM Productions she has created digital ads, digital content and web series, fictional shorts and features in India and US. She has worked for brands like Dabur, Pepsi, Royal Stag India Mart, Hyundai and others like UNDP where Pan India stories were discovered and shot across seven states.
She now collaborates with various Production and Creative teams to bring unique content through various digital platforms.

OTHER
Jigyasa has been Assistant to prominent directors in ad films and feature film work across various genres and projects with , Shoojit Sircar-Red Ice , Manav Menon -Footcandles in 2004. Homi Adajania's "Being Cyrus" (2004), Farhan Akhtar's “Don” (2005) Excel Entertainment, Nina Menkes' "Phantom Love" (2007), Janice Tanaka's "Swimming in Air" (2003) Los Angeles.

With a Bachelors in Journalism from LSR, Delhi University ,Jigyasa went on to get a Masters in Fine Arts from California Institute Of The Arts, USA as Director for Theatre and Film as a special merit scholar along with her work with NSD in India and Repertory Theatre LA. She has also served as faculty in Department of Mass Communication and Journalism in DU and mentors and collaborates with writers and media makers globally.

HONORS
Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Best Short
BAFTA/LA Honoroable Mention
Regional Oscar , West USA Nomination
Emerging Independent Filmmaker , NTDV Profit
Times Warner Fellowship Semi Finalist for Feature Screenwriting
Ford Foundation Fellowship Panelist for Pan India stories