SONY PICTURES TELEVISION AND THE UNITED NATIONS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE INDIAN EMERGING FILMMAKER VINAMRA PANCHARIA AS GLOBAL WINNER OF THE PICTURE THIS FESTIVAL FOR THE PLANET

SONY PICTURES TELEVISION AND THE UNITED NATIONS FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE INDIAN

EMERGING FILMMAKER VINAMRA PANCHARIA AS GLOBAL WINNER OF THE PICTURE THIS

FESTIVAL FOR THE PLANET

·         Pancharia’s Short Film Tubelight, Portraying a Homeless Child’s Dream to Attend School, to

·         Stream Free in the United States on Sony Crackle

·         Films of Eight Worldwide Finalists Showcasing Commitment to Sustainable Development

·         Screened for Industry Leaders on the Sony Pictures Studio Lot on July 31

Culver City, CA – August 2, 2018 - Sony Pictures Television, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, has announced Vinamra Pancharia, from India, as the global winner of the Picture This Festival for the Planet. Pancharia was named the global winner last night following an allda event with eight regional finalists on the iconic Sony Pictures Studio Lot in Los Angeles.

The Picture This Festival for the Planet was established to celebrate everyday storytellers and

change makers worldwide, showcasing the positive future they see for our planet through the

art of film. Earlier this year, people from over 70 countries were invited to submit videos between one and eight minutes in length inspired by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a set of global goals agreed upon by all 193 member states of the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet and promote prosperity for all. This initiative was supported by SPT’s networks around the world. Pancharia’s winning film Tubelight will also stream free in the United States on the premium, adsupported service Sony Crackle. Tubelight chronicles a homeless orphan’s dream of attending school, an opportunity that every child deserves. Despite not having the means, the boy sits outside a classroom window during the day and studies under a street light at night. Through the moving short-film, the boy’s dream of sitting inside the classroom sees the light of day when people from all walks of life get to feel his spirit, read and share his story, bringing hope to so many young children like him.

“Education is the foundation for building prosperity and health. In Mumbai, at traffic signals, you find these kids selling books. They should be using them in the classroom. True progress is only possible when every child is in the classroom. It all boils down to education. With this film, I just want to create that call to change,” said Pancharia.

As part of the Picture This Festival for the Planet, the eight short-film competition finalists, all

emerging filmmakers from around the world, were invited to Sony Pictures Studios on July 31 for a day of networking and training. The day culminated with a screening of the regional finalists’ films at the Picture This Festival award ceremony, which was attended by film enthusiasts, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) executives, students, and representatives from the UN Foundation, United Nations, World Bank Group’s Connect4Climate, and other partners.