Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
Filming has begun in London for The Moment, a new A24 film starring and produced by British singer-songwriter Charli XCX. Known for her music, Charli is now venturing into filmmaking with this project, which is said to offer a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a rising pop star.
Directed by Aidan Zamiri, a long-time collaborator who has directed several of Charli’s music videos, the film boasts a star-studded cast. Alexander Skarsgård, Rosanna Arquette, Trew Mullen, Isaac Cole Powell, Rish Shah, Kate Berlant, and Jamie Demetriou are all set to appear in the feature.
While A24 has not officially commented on the plot, reports suggest that The Moment is a mockumentary-style film that follows a pop star preparing for her first major arena tour. The concept originates from Charli XCX herself, marking her debut as a film producer through her company, Studio365.
Charli XCX steps into filmmaking as she begins shooting The Moment, a mockumentary-style A24 film with a star-packed castGetty Images
The screenplay was co-written by Zamiri and Bertie Brandes. The production team includes David Hinojosa (producing under 2AM) along with executive producers Brandon Creed, Mikey Schwartz-Wright, and Zach Nutman. A24 holds global distribution rights.
Charli XCX, whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison, is coming off a high point in her music career, recently winning three Grammy Awards for her latest album, Brat. Beyond music and The Moment, she is also expanding her acting portfolio with roles in upcoming films such as Gregg Araki’s I Want Your Sex, Daniel Goldhaber’s Faces of Death, and Julia Jackman’s 100 Nights of Hero.
Behind the scenes of The Moment, Charli XCX’s A24 debut that takes a deep dive into the life of a rising pop starGetty Images
With The Moment, Charli XCX takes a step beyond pop music, bringing her creative vision to the big screen. Given her innovative approach to music and visuals, her transition into film is sure to be one to watch.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
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