Envisage International Film Festival is a proud member of Filmmakers United, a West Midlands based Community Interest Company which runs several film festivals, and facilitates filmmakers in achieving their goals through collaboration and event planning.
The three founding members started as separate filmmakers, each of us invested in our own craft and then we realised that together we were far better than the sum of our parts. So whilst we still pursue our own career paths and goals, we also work together to help and encourage filmmakers worldwide.
Left to right: Lalit Bhusal, Gary Rogers and Carmen Capuano.
Our mission
We're on a mission to change the way society and the general public perceive and view independent films.
Our vision
We want to engender a belief and experience of independent films and cinemas as a worthwhile and enjoyable experience, second to none.
Our Team
Our strength lies in our individuality. Working in different disciplines within the same field, we are able to combine our wealth of expertise and knowledge in the delivery of amazing film festivals, to make every festival enthusiast's visit a deeply satisfying and rewarding experience.
Carmen Capuano
Carmen Capuano is a published author, screenwriter and producer, and is CEO of Emmeline Productions. She works with a variety of production partners to deliver pitches and scripts across all genres to global broadcasters and streamers. Currently she has a BFI Network supported film in development and a variety of other film and TV projects in pre-production/development with key industry figures.
She has been commissioned to polish Hollywood scripts, develop NHS teaching apps and to write projects for ‘A list’ talent and directors and has recently been an invited panellist for Book Week, Scotland.
To date Carmen has penned 29 novels in every genre from dystopian sci-fi to contemporary realism, reflecting the ills, joys and tribulations of the human condition, as well as dealing sympathetically with issues of transgender, LGBTQ+, autism and Tourette’s and has performed a number of book to screen and screen to book adaptations.
Carmen's book reviews include: "5 Stars - Brilliant and brutal!'
'5 Stars - … began and finished in one night. Incredibly hooking story and very well written.’
'WOW! Had to sit and read the last few chapters in one go, so gripping, such a different story from the usual, well done.'
'...couldn't put it down until I'd finished it"
"One of the very best modern writers out there."
Gary Rogers
Gary is a freelance Director of Photography and owner of Country Star Productions and Creative Cog Commercial. Gary has lensed over 20 feature films, many music videos, TV and corporate including Netflix productions.
In recent work Gary has lensed a feature film staring Jason Flemyng, Bruce Payne and Scott Wright called 'The Stoic' and 'Watch me Sleep' for Midlands filmmaker John Williams, a film currently picking up many awards on the festival circuit.
As someone that has experience in setting up other film festivals in the past he is now turning his attention to making the artistic capital of the country, Stratford On Avon, into a major showcase for the arts.
With new partners and interested parties in areas of filmmaking and screenings it is our goal to find new ways of lowering the barriers to entry for new filmmakers and enabling more accessible platforms for filmmakers to showcase their work. Gary is a freelance Director of Photography and owner of Country Star Productions and Creative Cog Commercial. Gary has lensed over 20 feature films, many music videos, TV and corporate including Netflix productions.
Lalit Bhusal
Lalit Bhusal, a multifaceted filmmaker, writer, director, and producer, has been shaping compelling narratives since 1992 that resonate with audiences worldwide. "Leeches," Lalit's acclaimed work addressing human trafficking, took center stage at the Jakarta Film Festival in 2015. This film, recognized in the presence of Indonesian minister Imam Nahrawi for Youth and Sports Affairs, showcased Lalit's ability to captivate audiences while shedding light on pressing societal challenges.
With a diverse portfolio of film projects under his belt, Lalit's career highlights include the poignant feature film "Crushed Wings" in 2022. This groundbreaking narrative explored the sensitive subject of FGM, uniting a global team of over 200 volunteers to bring the story to life. The film received over 40 awards at international film festivals and is now available on more than 21 OTT platforms.
Currently, Lalit is in pre-production for two international feature film projects, In addition to his filmmaking endeavors, Lalit is the visionary behind the annual film festival "Filmmakers United," launched in 2015, and the enlightening "My Name Is Climate Film Festival" in 2022.
These platforms serve as mediums for showcasing films that advocate for human rights, animal rights, interfaith dialogue, mental health, and climate change, fostering community engagement and dialogue through interactive Q&A sessions.