It is not one of those ultra prestigious film festivals but the New York Independent Video and Film Festival does welcome talent that will find it difficult to get into the better known Sundance or Toronto International film festivals.

Among the over two dozen feature films shown at the festival was Rivaaz, a story about prostitution perpetuated by family traditions.

New Yorker Sonal Sharma, who is the executive producer of the film, said for Deepti Naval and director Ashok Kumar Nanda, as well as the other artists, showing the film at the festival in New York was a means to draw attention to the project. The low budget film may have a quick theatrical release before hitting the video market.

Meghna Naidu, best known for her Kaliyon Ka Chaman music video, stars in Rivaaz, along with actor Vijay Raaz.

In the picture: The Rivaaz cast -- Sadhika Randhawa, Meghna Naidu and Ritisha Vijayvargiya -- at the New York premiere of the film.

Text: Arthur J Pais in New York | Photograph: Paresh Gandhi