Alka Bhanot is the co-founder of Indie Meme, a South Asian Cultural Arts Organization headquartered in Austin, and the Indie Meme Film Festival, showcasing Iranian and South Asian films. Her aim is to celebrate the diversity within the South Asian community — often considered monolithic — and give a platform to emerging talent from one of the most populous parts of the world. Indie Meme has grown into a cultural arts institution promoting South Asian Diaspora filmmakers and authors, conducting masterclasses, and championing indie cinema.
Before moving to Austin, Alka spent 10 years in the Indian television industry, producing everything from daily news and breakfast shows to weekly soaps, game shows, telefilms, and the first late-night show in India.
In Austin she worked on various indie films including Bryan Poyser’s ‘Dear Pillow’ , Karen Skloss’s ‘Sunshine’ and Margret Brown’s ‘Be Here to Love Me’ and an animated children’s series called ‘The Trevor Romain Show’ that aired on PBS.
Alka served on the Board of Directors of Austin PBS for 10 years and has recently been appointed as a Commissioner on the Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission for the City of Austin.
In 2024, she set up The Brainstormery — a consulting firm for small businesses and nonprofits, with a creative arm focused on producing films.
