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The Communication Initiative
After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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Neelima Mathur - Media Development Communication Consultant - Uttarakhand, India

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Audiovisual Strategist / Media Designer / Trainer / Consultant / Mentor for: Development Communication, Social-issue Documentaries, NGO films 

Focus: Audiovisual projects on environment, health, literacy, women’s issues, ethnic communities and culture in India and international media trainings & projects linked to the southern hemisphere.

EXPERTISE, METHODOLOGY & SKILLS

Expertise:

  • Full command on audiovisual requirements for development communication, documentaries, NGO films and PSA campaigns in India
  • Forty years ground-level experience in rural, tribal, small town and large city areas across the entire sub-continent with concurrent experience of government and non-government operation systems (Exclusive access in marginalized regions of Northeast India and Uttarakhand)
  • Executive Producer-Researcher-Writer-Interviewer for documentaries
  • International Trainer for audiovisual non-fiction content creators on approach and implementation of appropriate narratives, storytelling techniques, visualization
  • Mentor for international documentary film-making community for independent films and co-productions
  • Lobbyist for international co-operation and collaboration to promote true diversity in global media
  • Promoter for building platforms that encourage new entrants into the documentary sector in India and East Africa

Methodology:

  • Developing concepts on the basis of extensive and intensive interactions with all stakeholders in every project
  • Incorporating high level of sensitivity for vulnerable, marginalized groups / communities / individuals and ‘other culture’ factors
  • Exhaustive theoretical, academic and grass root research for all audiovisual projects
  • Personalised and individualized non-formal approach in training and mentoring
  • Creating and nurturing international networks for lobbying and building platforms

Skills:

  • Writing Concept Notes and Detailed Project Plans and international Calls for Proposals for audiovisual sector – including content and budget narratives and report writing
  • Full knowledge of operating within official structures in India
  • Pertinent and appropriate interviewing and writing for audiovisual content
  • Instilling bench-mark standards and ethics for audiovisual productions among film-makers
  • Contextualising cultural background of film-makers with the action area for audiovisual productions
  • Building the cause and case for under-represented regions and the documentary sector in the southern hemisphere

PROFESSIONAL STATUS AT A GLANCE:

  • Researcher & Writer for SPOTFILMS 1973 onwards
  • Post graduate Diploma in Journalism, New Delhi, 1972
  • Post-graduate Diploma in Mass Communications, Germany, 1976
  • BBC/British Council Script-writing Workshop, New Delhi 1978
  • Accredited Special Correspondent, 1988 onwards
  • Course and Workshop Co-ordinator, Foundation for Responsible Media
  • Media Advisory Group, Indian Council for Research on Women, 2001
  • Regular Trainer and mentor, ESODOC-ZeLIG, Italy 2004 -7, 2009 - 11
  • Project Manager, India, MEDIAIDS, EU-India HIV/AIDS media project, 2004-7
  • Co-ordinator, STEPS India, international initiative for Indian documentary 2004-9
  • Core team, STEPS International WhyDemocracy short films-India & Nepal, 2007-8
  • Project Director, ‘Tell It Better’, for NGO film-makers, with VIKES, Finland 2008
  • Head of Studies, LINCT, European Union MEDIA International project, 2009
  • Trainer, ESoDoc India, European Union MEDIA International project, 2010
  • Trainer, ESoDoc International, European Union Media Mundus programme, 2011
  • Jury Member & Trainer, Kenya International Film Festival, 2012
  • Jury Member, DOK Leipzig, Germany, 2013
  • Trainer, Film Africa Documentary Festival, Nairobi, 2013
  • Organiser, DOK Leipzig Lake Festival, Uttarakhand, India, 2013, 2014

WEBSITE LINKS:

Training projects and collaborations: www.formedia.org.in

Audiovisual productions: www.spotfilms.net

For better viewing, kindly visit:

http://vimeo.com/user6185130

http://www.youtube.com/user/SPOTFILMS

REALITY CHECK – REFERENCES (Alphabetical Listing)

Beadie Finzi, Foundation Director, BRITDOC Foundation
Claas Danielsen, Festival Director, DOK Leipzig
Don Edkins, Executive Director, STEPS International
Heidi Gronauer, Director, ZeLIG School for Documentary, Television & New Media
Iikka Vehkalahti, Commissioning Editor, YLE, Finland
Nick Fraser, Commissioning Editor, Storyville, BBC
Patrice Barrat, Executive Director, Bridge Initiative International
Robin Mallick, Director Programmes South Asia, Goethe Institut

Click here for Neelima's Bio note and details of associated projects.