New York Festivals Television & Film Awards Grand Jury 2020 Interview profiles prominent award-winning Broadcast executives from around the globe. As industry leaders, they understand the elements that go into creating compelling award-winning nonfiction content.

With over 20 years of experience, Payal has been one of the pioneering creative talents in the media industry. Having collected diverse experience from various content creation and production assignments within India and overseas, she brings in a rare mix of creative and finance skills. Payal is co-founder and director at Greymatter Entertainment – a media company that offers 360-degree content solutions with a strategic focus on IPR creation. She has been instrumental in creating globally acclaimed and award-winning television formats like ‘The Remix’ and ‘Street Stars’.

NYF: How do you think being an award winner yourself will help evaluate this year’s submission?

Payal Mathur Bhagat: Being a content producer helps me appreciate the intent and effort behind every submission. Being an award winner gives me an added perspective of what connects with audiences worldwide and what is recognized at a global stage. I believe this understanding and experience will help me evaluate this year's submissions from not only a judge's lens but also the POV of the viewer and content creator.

NYF: Where do you see the industry evolving in the next 5 years?

Payal Mathur Bhagat: The media industry is one of the fastest growing sectors. Apart from that it is also one of the most dynamic and volatile industries - constantly evolving and continuously re-inventing itself. We have seen tremendous change take place in the last 5 years and how things would evolve in the next 5 years is anybody's guess! Technology has been a big driver and I think it will continue to define how content is distributed and consumed. I think we will go further niche and sharply targeted creation of content will be a reality in the near future. I also feel genres will get re-defined with more and more genre defying and genre bending content being produced and appreciated.

NYF: What are the biggest challenges facing content creators in today’s world?

Payal Mathur Bhagat: As content creators I think the biggest challenge is to be able to not only keep pace but to stay ahead of consumers' tastes and demands. Viewers are now in the drivers' seat and can decide what they want to view, on what medium and at what time. To add to that social media allows viewers to express their reactions to content immediately on various platforms. This gives tremendous power to the audiences which keeps content creators on their feet constantly!

NYF: What would you love to do as your next project?

Payal Mathur Bhagat: I would love to do a very Indian story at heart that can travel the world and move audiences from around the globe. We are working on a very large-scale concept around Indian mythology that has all the makings of an epic show. I hope that project finds wings soon!

For more information or to enter the New York Festivals TV & Film Awards, please visit: www.newyorkfestivals.com/tvfilm/ or view the 2019 Winners Showcase.