Nisha Ganatra
It’s highly possible that Nisha Ganatra may have directed one of your favorite episodes of television. After making her highly-successful debut lesbian-themed feature, “Chutney Popcorn,” Ganatra went on to direct and produce the first seasons of “Transparent” and “Better Things,” as well as episodes of “GIRLS,” “Shameless,” “Mr. Robot,” “You Me Her,” “Last Man on Earth,” “Dear White People” and “Brooklyn 99.” Ganatra has received several awards and film festival placements for her projects, including her short “Code Academy,” which has recently been optioned for a television series. An Indian filmmaker, Ganatra says she got into directing and producing “to change the world,” and that the most rewarding aspect of her job is “that it doesn’t feel like work.” “I get to collaborate with so many talented artists,” she says. Ganatra says that being out in her career has only affected her “positively,” and that she hopes queer viewers will see that kind of positivity reverberating through anyting she’s had a hand in. “You are loved,” she says. “You are not alone. Watch these movies and all of these episodes of TV that were created almost entirely by members of the LGBT community and know that is true.” —TB
What Do You Think?