Monika Varma Samtani

About Monika Varma Samtani

Ms. Media Entertainment is an impact-driven film and music firm founded by Monika Varma Samtani. She is an independent freelance music curator and talent buyer democratizing access in the music industry and disrupting the status quo of global entertainment. Monika founded SOUNDVILLA, a talent discovery/development platform and strategic industry resource for rising international indie artists who perform primarily in English, creating an ecosystem bringing artists and industry together; curating festival showcases; producing live events; and facilitating innovative brand partnerships.Monika has been at the forefront of representation in entertainment, from becoming a pioneering and award-winning South Asian news anchor at the CBS station in Washington, DC, to bringing fresh voices and perspectives to the stage at SXSW, Tribeca Festival, Toronto International Film Festival, Art Basel Miami, and TEDx. She’s currently launching a brand-tech platform ‘Shop The Films’ turning product placement into filmmaker funding. With three decades of experience, Monika breaks cultural boundaries, consulting with stakeholders, and connecting creatives and brands with influential leaders. She has directed award-winning documentaries like Bee The Future and Suma\'s Story, amplifying the voices of marginalized girls in India. Her work as a publicist includes films like Girl Rising (with Priyanka Chopra and Freida Pinto), SOLD (with Gillian Anderson), and East of the Mountains (with Tom Skerritt and Mira Sorvino). She is an Executive Producer of One Small Visit, an Oscar-qualified short film showcased at NASA, NATO, and the Kennedy Center. She co-produced Power of Priya, India\'s first female animated superhero, hailed by The Washington Post as “the Brown girl superhero the world needs right now” and named UN Women’s gender equality champion.In 2023, Monika co-founded South Asian House, a networking hub for creatives at major international festivals.Recognition Highlights:First South Asian Music Showcase with SOUNDVILLA, SXSW Austin/London, 2023-currentWashington Business Journal cover feature, 2021Washington Post Metro Section cover, 2020TEDx Speaker, 2016TIVA Peer Awards Winner, 2010Maryland’s ‘Achievement in Public Information’ Award, 2002

Experience

1. Independent Producer and Talent Scout, South Asian Music Showcase

   SXSW

   Mar 2024 — Present · Austin, GB

   Monika is the producer and presenter of the SOUNDVILLA South Asian Music Showcase at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin, Texas and London, England. She is responsible for curating and securing global emerging talent as well as the overall creative production and event management. She works closely with SXSW, talent managers & agents, and the artists to bring the creative vision to the stage. Monika also facilitates the resources, funding, and brand partners for the showcase.

Education

• The George Washington University

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Radio and Television Communications, Radio and Television Communications

  1984 — 1988

Skills

• Public Relations
• Media Relations
• Video
• Storytelling
• Training
• Entertainment
• Anchor
• Media Production
• Marketing Strategy
• Anchors
• Interviews
• Film
• Video Production
• New Media
• Voice Over
• Television
• On-Camera Training
• Producing
• Camera
• Enps
• Radio Broadcasting
• Social Media Marketing
• Entrepreneurship
• Public Speaking
• Broadcast
• Editing
• Video Editing
• Radio
• Interviewing
• Social Media
• Broadcasting
• Marketing
• Broadcast Journalism
• Broadcast Television
• Digital Media