Ivy Manohara Disrupting the Film Location Services Industry with Filmapia

In a world captivated by the magic of movies, Benjamin Jacob and Ivy Manohara stood out as avid movie buffs. Yet, their fascination went beyond the storyline; they yearned to uncover the real-world locations that lent cinematic beauty to the silver screen. Driven by their curiosity, they embarked on a journey that led to the creation of Filmapia—a hobby website that would soon evolve into a thriving business and a game-changer in the film location services industry.

From Passion to Purpose:

The seed for Filmapia was sown when Benjamin and Ivy couldn’t find readily available answers to their burning question: where were those breath-taking movie scenes shot? Fuelled by their passion for cinema, they decided to take matters into their own hands. Their hobby website began to flourish as a repository of movie locations, attracting film enthusiasts from around the world.

However, it was when filmmakers started approaching them for assistance in locating these picturesque settings that Ivy and Benjamin recognized the untapped potential of the film location services industry. It marked the turning point for Filmapia, and the duo embarked on a transformative journey that would disrupt the traditional norms of this industry.

For the next eight years, Ivy and Benjamin devoted themselves to extensive research, engaging industry experts, and executing small projects. Despite having demanding IT jobs, they honed their skills in every aspect of the film location services sector. Their determination to build the business from the ground up, despite a lack of connections in the film industry, speaks volumes about their grit and entrepreneurial spirit.

Industry Challenges:

Filmapia was born out of a genuine need within the film industry. Scouting for locations had long been a convoluted, unpredictable, and often costly process. Filmmakers were burdened with the task of navigating an unorganized and non-transparent ecosystem, often relying on location managers or line producers with limited databases. This chaos hindered both the supply and demand aspects of filming.

Filmapia addressed these challenges with a pioneering online platform that suggests locations for sourcing and renting during film shoots. By streamlining the location scouting process, the platform saves filmmakers time and money, reducing their expenses by at least 50 percent compared to traditional methods. Filmmakers can explore an ever-expanding database of locations across various geographies.

On the supply side, Filmapia operates much like an Airbnb for film locations, offering exclusive private properties such as homes, offices, private airports, clubs, islands, and estates—properties not typically available in the locations market. The platform prioritizes accountability, ensuring timely payments to property owners and protecting their assets during shoots.

A Remarkable Journey:

Since its inception in 2017, Filmapia has contributed to over 130 film projects across 300 locations, spanning feature films, advertisements, TV dramas, web series, corporate shoots, and more. Filmmakers from both India and overseas have embraced Filmapia’s services for their diverse location needs.

Their reputation for managing exclusive properties professionally has earned Filmapia the trust of both property owners and filmmakers. In addition to private properties, Filmapia facilitates shoots at public locations like roads, parks, beaches, and heritage properties.

Overcoming Challenges:

While 2020 posed challenges for Filmapia due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ivy remains optimistic about the industry’s resurgence in 2021. As the film industry gradually resumes production, Filmapia is well-positioned to capitalize on its innovative platform.

To fuel future growth, Filmapia is investing in advanced technologies, including AI and advanced visual searches, to enhance location and shoot management. Their vision is to empower filmmakers to make informed decisions efficiently.

Ivy Manohar’s disruptive impact on the film location services industry has not gone unnoticed. She has received accolades such as the She Digital Awards 2019 for Market Disruption, the Times SheUnLtd Women Award 2020, and the Karnataka Women Achievement Awards 2020 for ‘Excellence in Film.’

Ivy Manohar’s Filmapia has not only disrupted the film location services industry but also opened up new possibilities for filmmakers and property owners alike. With a commitment to innovation and customer-centric solutions, Filmapia is poised for an exciting future in the world of cinema.