Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Supriya Pandit. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Supriya, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

I have a graduate degree in Film and TV, but I jumped into Tech soon after graduating. Steady paychecks and a sane work-life balance while raising a young family seemed like the smarter bet. Fast forward 20 years—kids grown; finances stable—I found myself standing at crossroads. To be fair, I loved working in Product and UX—I thrived on problem-solving, design thinking, and building things that mattered. But deep down, the picture wasn’t complete. I wasn’t firing on all engines. Parts of me were either dormant or slowly dying. I had built a successful career that I felt proud of but my love for filmmaking had never fully faded. I kept the spark alive by doing odd film gigs for friends and even teaching a filmmaking class in my kids’ elementary school. Nothing big—just enough to keep the creative embers glowing.
Then along came Lucy Chu. A Chinese immigrant with a story that deserved to be told. I started filming her here and there, piecing together a 15-minute short. But her life was far bigger than those 15 minutes, and I knew it. I just didn’t have the time or bandwidth to go deeper.
That changed in August 2022, when I made the terrifying decision to leave my corporate job and commit fully to telling Lucy’s story. While I was motivated, I severely underestimated the impact it would have on me. The reality was that I had stripped myself of everything familiar—routine, paycheck, title, team, an easy answer when people asked, “So, what do you do?” Besides that, I loved working in Product Management and UX. I was jumping out of a plane and learning to use a parachute mid-air.
The next two years weren’t just about making a film—they were about dismantling old versions of myself and rebuilding from scratch. To grow a new backbone and learn to stand on a new set of wobbly legs is humbling.
I had focused on postproduction in grad school, but that was 23 years ago. The technology had evolved, and I was a “geriatric trombone” tooting in the world of fast-moving digital tools. Could this old dog learn new tricks? I was about to get a front-row seat to the many ways I had been unknowingly self-limiting.
To survive, I leaned on what I knew well: structure. I built a schedule—two filming days a week. I recruited friends to act as “accountability buddies.” I ran the project like a product launch, setting up two-week “sprints” and breaking down tasks into tiny, bite-sized wins. No task was too small—whether it was learning my camera, re-teaching myself Adobe Premiere, or securing the rights to use a single image.
By September 2023, I had a rough cut and screened it for Lucy’s birthday. Her family was supportive and enthusiastic, but I knew something was missing. Then came the feedback from a filmmaker friend—a visual anthropologist. His words were direct, precise and brutal. My film was informative, but one-dimensional. I had captured Lucy’s voice, but not the full depth of her story.
So, back to work. I sought out more voices—her children, her grandkids. They jumped on Zoom calls, shared memories, and filled in the missing dimensions. The film took on a brand new cut, a new life.
Finally, in the summer of 2024, with what felt like numerous rounds of deep diving, failing, learning, and rebuilding—Lucy Chu’s memoir was finished. We screened it at a local church to a cheering audience that celebrated her life and my efforts in bringing it on screen.
It had been two years since I left my corporate job. And somehow, despite the uncertainty, the imposter syndrome, and the growing pains—I had made it to the other side.

Supriya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have always been drawn to the senior population, a group I believe is often underserved. Their stories provide invaluable insight into our history, its influence on the present and deserve to be honored. My focus is on uncovering and preserving these narratives to benefit future generations. I believe they carry wisdom and strength. I take pride in my ability to listen deeply and piece together fragmented memories, even when stories evolve over time. I create a calm and nurturing environment where seniors feel comfortable and safe. My approach fosters trust—not only with the seniors but also with their families, who feel assured that their loved ones are in caring and capable hands during the filming process. I am adept at handling delicate situations with sensitivity, ensuring that no family member feels alienated or overlooked.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Broadly, I imagine a world where stories of ordinary people can provide hope, relatability and visibility. Specific to the older population, I believe aging isn’t about fading away, but about shining differently—where every older adult feels valued, inspired, and part of something bigger. Through films and technology, I want to build bridges that bring generations closer and give our elders the space to thrive. My mission is to help them find a deeper meaning and purpose —by creating experiences and tools that make them feel seen, heard, and connected. In this process, I am dedicated to bridging the gap between technology and artistry, challenging the notion that one must choose between the two. By embracing both, I encourage holistic creativity, enabling myself and other individuals to bring their full, multidimensional selves to work.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had known about film and theater schools in India. Without exposure to professionals in these fields, I wasn’t aware that opportunities for higher education in filmmaking were within reach. I didn’t realize that the Film and TV Institute of India offered courses in Editing and Cinematography—fields that would later become central to my journey. Eventually, I connected with incredible teachers from the institute who not only nurtured my artistic growth but also gave me the confidence to pursue higher education abroad. Their guidance was transformative, opening doors I never knew existed.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://supriyapandit.com
• Instagram: A.LUMA.FILM
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/supriyap
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ALumaFilm/videos