Surekha Paruchuri first set foot in Los Angeles with two suitcases and a tax refund check. Since then, she has delved voraciously into myriad aspects of the film industry. Along with producing several short films, Paruchuri has overseen publicity and cultural relations, and secured funding for AFI FEST, NewFilmmakers LA among others. A founding member of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles, over the course of ten years she expanded the organization by sourcing content, developing strategic partnerships, and building relationships with international press. Prior to this, Paruchuri handled programming for several of MGM and Universal Television’s international channels.