# Bedatri Datta Choudhury > Arts & Entertainment Editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer Location: New York, New York, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/bedatri After years of handling documentary projects and writing on film and culture, I am presently the Arts & Entertainment Editor at The Philadelphia Inquirer. In all that I do, I intend to do away with intellectual gatekeeping and binary distinctions of good and bad. I believe that stories are best told by or in collaboration with people who are directly impacted by them. ## Work Experience ### Arts & Entertainment Editor @ The Philadelphia Inquirer Jan 2022 – Present The Philadelphia Inquirer is a public benefit corporation owned by the nonprofit Lenfest Institute for Journalism. They're at the center of a critical mission to create a lasting future for ambitious, engaging, and useful local journalism. • Overseeing and working with experienced arts reporters and critics, including staffers and freelancers, and helping them chart new ways of covering established beats in the world of art, music, theater, film, dance, while deciding new beats to explore • Rethinking what criticism and service means for a digital first-publication • Working with analytics, audience, and digital teams • Creating and executing projects to bring reporting and criticism to new audiences, new venues, and new formats • Overseeing the creation of authoritative going-out guides and calendars ### Senior Features Programmer @ DOC NYC Jan 2021 – Present | New York, United States Based at the West Village’s IFC Center, Chelsea’s SVA Theater and Cinepolis Cinema, DOC NYC, the eight-day film festival showcases new achievements in documentary film along with panels and conversations. • Screening and evaluating assigned DOC NYC Features submissions • Working with Director of Programming and Features Programmers to identify promising titles for programming consideration from outside of the submission pool • Developing potential thematic programming sections • Writing capsule descriptions for assigned features for catalogue/website • Participating in outreach/marketing brainstorming for select titles in need • Serving as programmatic liaison to select filmmakers, encouraging their participation in DOC NYC events • Moderating introductions and Q&A sessions for film screenings • Representing DOC NYC at other industry events and in press ### Features Programmer @ SFFILM Jan 2022 – Present | San Francisco Bay Area SFFILM is a nonprofit organization whose mission ensures independent voices in film are welcomed, heard, and given the resources to thrive. SFFILM connects and inspires audiences, students and teachers, and filmmakers through our film exhibition, youth education, and artist development programs. • Screening film submissions and identify promising titles for programmatic consideration. • Researching current films on the festival circuit that fit SFFILM’s mission. • Drafting final capsules of assigned films for promotional material. • Providing on-the-ground support during the festival events, including film introductions and Q&A sessions. • Strengthening industry relationships, and serving as spokesperson for SFFILM. ### Film Programmer @ True/False Film Fest Jan 2025 – Present | Columbia, Missouri, United States True/False is an annual festival in Columbia, Missouri, USA, which strives to celebrate the best of international nonfiction. T/F brings together filmmakers, artists, and musicians to create an immersive and communal experience focused on cinema constructed from reality. • Screening and evaluating feature and short film submissions • Working with Visiting Artistic Director and programmers to identify promising titles for programming consideration from outside of the submission pool • Developing potential thematic programming sections • Writing capsule descriptions for assigned features for catalogue/website • Participating in outreach/marketing brainstorming for select titles in need • Serving as programmatic liaison to filmmakers • Moderating introductions and Q&A sessions for film screenings ### Managing Editor @ International Documentary Association (IDA) Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 For almost 40 years, IDA has supported nonfiction filmmaking and filmmakers through our major program areas. • Managing all editorial processes of the production of the print issues of Documentary Magazine • Develop themes and story ideas, write articles, assign and manage writers for the magazine and documentary.org • Assist Editor in evaluating finalized copy for compliance with policies, editorial style guide and publishing standards • Serve as a visible and engaged representative for the magazine, and of IDA • Engage broadly and proactively with the field, serving on juries and moderating panels and Q&A’s at industry festivals, screenings and events • Provide mentorship and support to Documentary Magazine Editorial Fellows • Provide operational and managerial support when required ### Grants Writer and Administrator @ Working Films Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 | New York City Metropolitan Area Recognizing the power of film to inspire, Working Films uses documentaries to increase civic engagement and shift culture at the local, state, and national level. They offer funding and in-kind support to underrepresented filmmakers and share their learning and foster dialogue to further the field of documentary for change. • Creating highly persuasive first drafts of grant proposals/applications and incorporating feedback from other members of the Working Films team. • Project managing the grants cycle, ensuring that all team members contribute any information needed to complete grant applications and updates to funders. • Formatting and uploading proposals to online portals, assuring all requirements, attachments, budgetary information, etc. are assembled with great attention to detail. • Generating grant reports for funders in a timely manner and other stewardship duties as needed. ### Associate Programmer @ Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles Jan 2021 – Jan 2022 The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) is a nonprofit organization devoted to a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by showcasing films, supporting emerging filmmakers, and promoting the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora. • Screening and rating feature films and short films • Participating in deliberations and finalize festival lineup • Researching and tracking prospective films • Writing film notes for film guide, website and marketing campaigns • Introducing films and moderate Q&As at the festival • Participating in filmmaker events • Contributing to the programming wrap report ### Program Consultant, Talent and Special Projects @ Center for Asian American Media Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 The Center for Asian American Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. • Supporting and managing CAAM’s talent development and special projects • Managing request for proposals and application forms for funding initiatives • Managing communications collateral for the launch of various initiatives • Tracking and recording deliverables; processing payments for projects and initiatives • Planning CAAM’s Filmmaker Summit and other public-facing events • Promoting CAAM Programs’ work through blogs, posts and additional write-ups ### Documentary Program Manager @ The Gotham Film & Media Institute (formerly IFP) Jan 2021 – Jan 2021 | New York City Metropolitan Area The Gotham Film & Media Institute is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to finding, developing and celebrating the people and projects that shape the future of story. • Managing and designing the Gotham's Documentary Lab • Planning and executing the Gotham’s Spotlight on Documentaries Program at Gotham Week, including liaising with Industry attendees, supervising the coordination of over 1,300 one-on-one Project Market meetings, and producing the virtual meetings • Evaluating Gotham Week project materials and overseeing the selection process in order to identify projects and new voices to support, in alignment with Gotham’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion • Assembling and managing selection committees, and creating an inclusive environment for Gotham Week projects • Overall being the face and contact person for the Gotham's Documentary programs ### Doc Sessions Manager @ DOC SOCIETY Jan 2020 – Jan 2021 | New York City Metropolitan Area Doc Society is a non-profit founded in 2005 committed to enabling great documentary films and connecting them to audiences globally. Doc Sessions is a platform that facilitates remote impact and community screenings. • Overseeing distribution of Doc Sessions training module • Intake and screening of new live producers and partner organizations • Outreach to new live producers and organizations • Matching films with live producers and scheduling screenings • Maintaining Doc Sessions website • Working with technicians and Doc Society team to troubleshoot issues as they arise, both technical and programmatic • Maintaining contact databases and inquiry emails • Reporting statistical and anecdotal outcomes of contract period to Doc Society ### Contributor @ Forbes Jan 2018 – Jan 2020 | Greater New York City Area Forbes is a global media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle. For them, I wrote regular articles on the business and trends of Bollywood and the media business in South Asia. ### Office and Projects Manager @ Aubin Pictures, Inc. Jan 2018 – Jan 2019 | Greater New York City Area Aubin Pictures, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to develop, produce, and distribute documentary films and videos that promote cultural and social awareness and strategic and sustainable social transformation. The goal is to educate and inspire dialogue on the issues and themes relevant to our times and to foster better understanding between communities. • Production Management: Manage film development, production, post-production, payments, and budgets. • Distribution and Exhibition Management: Manage distribution, dissemination, licensing and outreach of films and associated installation tours; Liaise with film festivals, museums, and community organisations. • Grant Management: Writing, coordinating, and reporting for production and general operations support • Office Management: Oversee assistants and interns; Manage general operation budgets, salary payments and accounts, organise social media presence; Event management. • Non-Profit Management: Manage non-profit company operations and fundraising; Manage board communication. ### Seminar Coordinator @ The Flaherty (International Film Seminars, Inc.) Jan 2017 – Jan 2017 | Greater New York City Area The Flaherty is a nonprofit media arts institution recognized as a leader in its support of the documentary and other independent film and video. Two biggest programmes undertaken by the institution are the Flaherty NYC bi-weekly curated film screenings and the annual seminar. • Content Production: Produced and edited film reviews, event reports, newsletters and flyers. • Communications and Publicity: Managed outreach and publicity for the film screenings and the annual seminar. • Event Management: Assisted with organising film screenings and provided event support. • Social Media Management: Managed website content and social communities of 4000+ followers (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram). • Annual Seminar Coordination: Coordinated and arranged travel for all participating filmmakers and participants, administrative support, overall coordination. ### Graduate Cataloguing and Research Assistant @ New York University Jan 2015 – Jan 2017 | Greater New York City Area The Global Learning and Innovation department under NYU IT specialises in using technological tools in order to produce educational material that cab be showcased on a global platform, and be of use to the student community across NYU's global campuses. • Cataloguing NYU produced educational assets viz. Images, Videos, Captivate Modules, Charts • Archiving assets and maintaining them on a global server with appropriate tagging and metadata • Researching for educational assets used to build NYU courses • Editing academic content • Quality checking and standardising content formats and house styles • Sourcing appropriate educational material for courses • Rights and License Management for academic assets ### Programme Officer @ Public Service Broadcasting Trust Jan 2012 – Jan 2015 | New Delhi Area, India The Public Service Broadcasting Trust is an Indian non-governmental organisation. It helps independent documentary film-makers to work free from commercial and political pressures by commissioning documentaries under grants received from the Government of India (Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Culture) and other organisations like Ford Foundation, Films Division, etc. • Research: Fact-checked and researched content for 100+ documentary films. • Review: Monitored content and technical quality of films under production. • Content Production: Wrote and edited synopses, catalogues, brochures and newsletters. • Programming: Programmed film screenings and managed 300+ film festival submissions. • Distribution: Coordinated and assisted distribution of 500+ films. • Festival Management: Assisted in programming, scheduling and coordinating Open Frame, the largest documentary film festival in India. • Communication Management: Prepared reports for, and documented the Annual Trustees' Meeting. ## Education ### Master of Arts (M.A.) in Cinema Studies New York University ### Master of Arts (M.A.) in Literature in English Jawaharlal Nehru University ### Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Literature in English Lady Shri Ram College For Women ### CISCE in Physics, Chemistry, Maths, Computer Applications, Bengali, English, Environmental Studies G.D. Birla Centre for Education ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/bedatri - Portfolio: http://bedatri.com/ --- Source: https://flows.cv/bedatri JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/bedatri/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-13