Experience

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  PARALLEL MADNESS

  • parallelmadness.com

  • Writer, Director & Producer

    • Mar 2013 - Present
    • parallelmadness.com

    Part of a writing and directing duo alongside Tom Hancock. Their first short, TRANSMISSION (associate produced by Ian Pons Jewell), premiered at Fantasia and played at over 90 festivals, winning 13 awards, including The Film Empire’s Diversity Mentorship Contest.Most recently, their mystery-crime-thriller TV pilot, RUBBERNECKER, was Runner-Up in Roadmap Writers' JumpStart Writing Competition. Varun also won a place on a BME TV Writing Workshop run by Academy Nicholl Fellowship winner, Sean Robert Daniels.

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  Fantastic Fest

  • Shorts Screening Team Member

    • Feb 2020 - Present

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  Encounters

  • UK Student Competition Programmer

    • Apr 2019 - Present

    Screening shorts and organising four 90-minute programmes for the UK Student Competition.

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  SXSW

  • SXSW 2020-2021 Screener

    • Aug 2019 - Present

    Screening live action narrative shorts.

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  Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival

  • New Talents Competition Live Action Programmer - PÖFF SHORTS

    • Aug 2020 - Nov 2020

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  Grimmfest

  • Manchester, United Kingdom

  • Festival Coordinator

    • Jul 2019 - Feb 2020
    • Manchester, United Kingdom

    • Assisting with coordinating the submissions viewing process with team of programmers and researching possible relevant titles for the film festival.• Liaising with sales agents and distributors to acquire screener links, clearing film rights and sourcing materials to screen from.• Assisting with delivery of any additional screening materials such as holding slides and trailers.• Coordinating box office / ticket sales and volunteers.• Coordinating activities taking place in the festival hub, including merchandise sales and stallholders.• Assisting with marketing including utilising the Grimmfest social media accounts.• Other ad hoc duties as necessary to ensure the successful running of the festival.

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  Manchester International Festival (MIF)

  • Manchester, United Kingdom

  • Ticketing Assistant

    • Apr 2019 - Jul 2019
    • Manchester, United Kingdom

    • Supported the Ticketing team with sales and administration responsibilities.• Supervised ticket offices and coordinated volunteers at multiple venues, including The Whitworth, HOME, The Dancehouse, Mayfield, St Augustine’s Church and the Ukrainian Cultural Centre.• Worked cross-departmentally to process internal ticket requests, including Press, Producing, Development, Creative Engagement and Guest Relations locks.• In charge of access bookings, oversaw the access inbox and phone line, liaised with the Access Coordinator, and produced/analysed access reports for FOH.• Researched and recorded feedback on customer ticketing experience, and actively provided feedback and suggestions to help improve services for MIF.• General office administration including printing, filing and digital archiving.

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  Watershed

  • United Kingdom
  • Entertainment Providers
  • 100 - 200 Employee

  • Box Office Receptionist

    • Feb 2015 - Apr 2019

    • The first point of contact for Watershed visitors. Was responsible for the smooth operation of Box Office and reception duties including administrative tasks, bookings, the retail shop and communication of accurate information about Watershed’s many varied activities.• Have worked the following festivals: Slapstick, Encounters, RAI Film Festival, Wildscreen, Afrika Eye, Palestine Film Festival, Cinema Rediscovered and Festival Of Ideas. Adapted to the programmes and processes of each festival, whether that affects the handling of guest-lists, tickets and passes, or discussing various events with customers.

  • Front of House General Assistant

    • Feb 2013 - Apr 2019

    • Managed cinema and event spaces, with particular regard to the safety and comfort of customers, including taking the lead in emergency evacuations, seating sold out screenings and assisting customers with access requirements.• Worked flexibly across the organization and provided support at General Assistantlevel in other areas of the business whenever required. Responded to customer queries regarding Watershed’s services and programme. Built a rapport with regular customers.

  • Future Producers - Programmer / Producer

    • Jul 2013 - Nov 2013

    • On Watershed’s talent development programme, was part of a team that programmed and event-managed THE CORRIDOR SESSIONS – a series of Friday late night horror screenings, in conjunction with BFI’s Gothic Season.• Events and screenings included HAUSU, REPULSION, SUSPIRIA and a flagship Immersive Event of THE SHINING alongside Compass Presents.

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  Blue Shadows Films

  • London, United Kingdom

  • Screenwriter

    • May 2013 - Jan 2018
    • London, United Kingdom

    Commissioned to co-write feature length metaphysical sci-fi - HERE IN THE CLOUDS - for producer Merlin Merton. Was re-hired in January 2018 to transform it into a pilot for a longform ensemble sci-fi TV series, FUTURE ENDEAVOURS,

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  TRANSMISSION – A SHORT ON 35MM

  • Writer-director and Producer

    • Apr 2016 - Feb 2017

    • Co-wrote, co-directed and co-produced with Tom Hancock. Shot on 35mm.• International Premiere at Fantasia, over 90 festivals, 13 awards.• Watch online: Transmission35mm.com

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  The Script Lab

  • Manchester, United Kingdom

  • Freelance Writer

    • Oct 2011 - Sep 2012
    • Manchester, United Kingdom

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  Lipsync Post

  • Placement / Runner

    • Dec 2011 - Dec 2011

    Won a two-week placement with Soho-based post-production house, LipSync Post, in Quantel's "Make Me A Pro!" competition.