/elle-india/media/media_files/2025/01/14/nv5998fehjiqQtmDSB1I.jpg)
Award-winning independent filmmaker Peter Zerzan will embark on his newest creative adventure. Hailing from the Bay Area, this Spring, he will travel to Goa, India’s tropical paradise, to film The Tourist, a short romance set amidst the region’s breathtaking landscapes and biodiversity, from vast mountain ranges to white sandy beaches and exotic wildlife.
After the tremendous festival success of Election Night and The Extraction, Peter hopes to see The Tourist surge to the same heights while adding a new chapter to Bollywood’s rich history. Paved by industry legends like the Lumiere brothers, Save Dada, Dadasaheb Phalke, and Raj Kapoor, India’s cinema grew into a vibrant global phenomenon, touching the hearts of millions of cinephiles.
/elle-india/media/media_files/2025/01/14/IWEsi0CcKUVP15Hoqw8a.jpg)
Building on that foundation, Peter will bring the American spirit into the luscious coastlines of Goa, harnessing its colourful architecture and the blend of Portuguese and Indian culture. During that time, accompanied by industry experts and a passionate crew, Peter will capture the story of Akiko, a Japanese businesswoman who travels to India to attend a convention. There, after dealing with one frustration after another, she ditches the conference to traverse Goa. On her travels in Goa, she sees the beauty in this paradise and finds romance.
In addition to astounding views and marvelous scenery, India offers a treasure trove of advantages for international filmmakers. From up to 40% of tax credit reimbursements to specialised equipment, Peter has quickly realised that this Asian hub provides the same quality as Western countries – and so much more.
/elle-india/media/media_files/2025/01/14/cMUJlzJZ0aSXKbdpvWcl.jpg)
“It’s a tropical oasis, but much more reasonable than Hawaii or Bali. India has played a crucial role in shaping the art of filmmaking, and everyone I will work with knows exactly what they are doing,” the director stresses. “And everything around you looks like an esoteric paradise, completely eradicating the need for extensive editing and special effects. It’s every filmmaker’s fantasy, filled with out-of-this-world sunsets, natural wonders, and bliss.”
/elle-india/media/media_files/2025/01/14/L9W443qF7koN1ZYFU5dw.jpg)
From Election Night, Peter’s debut drama—which was entered into the 2021 San Francisco Movie Festival, played at the renowned TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, and earned many awards—and the short action film The Extraction to The Tourist, this director’s journey is driven by a constant desire to innovate, explore new genres, and redefine the rules of independent filmmaking. With his venture into India, Peter promises to leverage the country’s boundless potential while honoring its vivid culture and history through a camera lens.