سيرة
Nayan Padrai is an acclaimed screenwriter, producer, and director. He co-wrote, produced, and directed his debut feature film, "When Harry Tries to Marry," which premiered in the US on April 22, 2011. He also produced the film's soundtrack.
His upcoming directing project, "Billion Dollar Raja," is based on the largest insider trading case in US history. The script was honored by the Writers Guild of America's Feature Access Project. Nayan is also producing the film "Wildflowers."
Born in Mumbai and raised in Forest Hills, New York, Nayan developed a passion for writing and acting during his time at Forest Hills High School. He studied drama at Queensborough Community College before transferring to the School of Visual Arts in New York City to focus on screenwriting and acting.
Nayan has earned numerous awards and recognitions at various screenwriting festivals and competitions. In 2009, his script for "When Harry Tries to Marry," co-written with Ralph Stein, was a top ten finalist in Creative Screenwriting Magazine’s Expo Contest. The screenplay won at the Texas Film Institute competition and the Empire Screenplay Competition. He participated in the Sundance Independent Producer Conference in 2004. His work has advanced to quarterfinal, semifinal, and final rounds in competitions including the Austin Film Festival, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences Nicholl Fellowship, Breckenridge Screenplay Competition, Lone Star Screenplay Competition, Open-Door Script Magazine Contest, Writer's Network Competition, and Chesterfield Writer's Film Project. Nayan is a Writers Guild of America (WGA) member and serves as Co-Chair of its Asian American Writers Committee. He is also affiliated with BMI.
"When Harry Tries to Marry" was well-received on the festival circuit, winning Best Audience Award, Best Crossover Film, and Best New Talent at the London Asian Film Festival. It earned Best Feature Film (Comedy) at the Jersey Shore Film Festival. The film premiered at the Austin Film Festival and had its international debut at the Mumbai Film Festival. It was also an official selection at the Gold Coast International Film Festival.
Nayan has spoken at numerous industry events and academic institutions, including Ithaca College, Pace University, and Stony Brook University. In 2006, the South Asian Student Alliance (S.A.S.A.) honored him with a Visionary Award for his contributions to media and entertainment. He has penned guest blogs for IndieWire, Filmmaker, and The Wall Street Journal, and is credited with coining the term "Direct Distribution" on Ted Hope's Hope for Film blog.
Before starting his filmmaking career at age 34, Nayan co-founded and served as President of Cinemaya Media Group, one of the largest South Asian media, entertainment, and marketing companies in the US. At Cinemaya, he produced over 300 hours of television programming and managed its advertising agency Elephant, ranked among AdAge's top 15 multicultural agencies. He also spearheaded the company’s expansion into India in 2007.
Nayan currently resides in Los Angeles.
