JUGAAD Sisters is an all women of colour owned Canadian production company which creates opportunities for women-identified people in film at all phases of their careers.

Meet the Founders

We harness expertise through the generations to create bold and unapologetic entertainment for a global audience. From the just starting out to the established, we are a team of passionate collaborators full of hustle to get it done.

  • Co-Founder

    Priyanka Desai (she/her) is a Vancouver-based documentary filmmaker, award-winning broadcast journalist, and advocate for immigrant women of color in Canada. With over two decades of experience in film and television across India and North America, Priyanka is driven by a passion for telling stories that impact and entertain. 

    Born and raised in Mumbai, India, as a broadcast journalist, Priyanka produced, directed, and hosted over 300 hours of content, including several award-winning shows for IBN Lokmat. Among her notable works is Because, It’s a Boy!, a groundbreaking debate show that won the United Nations Population Fund’s Laadli Media Award for Gender Sensitivity. She also hosted and directed in India's heartlands through food and travel shows like Discover Maharashtra and Sutti Vasool. Later, as a television executive at Star Pravah (owned by Disney), Priyanka produced popular nonfiction programs, including the Indian version of Sell Me The Answer and various cook-off and game shows. She worked on the documentary Punches and Ponytails that followed the journey of a queer female boxer in India. 

    In 2018, Priyanka relocated to Canada to focus on documentary filmmaking and to challenge herself professionally. Since then, she has produced and directed diverse projects that amplify marginalized voices. These include Not Your Butter Chicken (4 x 22 min), which delves into the complexities of South Asian identity in North America. She also worked on Red Chef Revival (6 x 22 min), an exploration of Indigenous cuisine and culture, Moosemeat & Marmalade (13 x 22 min) followed Indigenous and British trained chefs on travels and explorations. Her work is available on prominent platforms like CBC Gem, Knowledge Network, TELUS Originals, and APTN.

    Priyanka is deeply involved in the Canadian film community, serving as Vice Chair/Board of Director at DOC Northwest and participating in prestigious programs like the Unscripted Producer’s Lab BIPOC Film & TV, Netflix's Banff Diversity of Voices, and BANFF Spark Accelerator for Women in Media Business. She recently worked as a Festival Manager for the International South Asian Film Festival (Canada). 

    Ask her about her production company Jugaad Sisters Inc. and her forthcoming projects: Muscles, Men and Migration (Feature documentary), Follow the Queen (3-part series), Gurnimit Sings (Feature documentary), and The Ocean Table (fully funded and open for licensing).

    Click here to explore her past productions & projects.


  • Co-Founder

    Joanna is a Vancouver-born queer Producer and Showrunner with a passion for cross-cultural content. Previously, Joanna was Managing Director at FLOW Creative, a media company she co-founded in Beijing, China which created multilingual travel content. Joanna was the Showrunner and a Producer on House Special, a 2022 TELUS Originals docuseries on Chinese-Canadian family restaurants and is currently the Producer of Postcards from Canada, AMI’s inclusive travel show. She is an Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Media Fellow and her short film “Love letter to Vancouver” screened at the Vancouver Asian Film Fest. 

Our newest Jugaad Sister - her role is dedicated to developing compelling scripted content, shaping stories from concept to screen, and guiding projects through the creative and production process. With her expertise, we’re broadening our scope while staying true to our commitment to impactful storytelling.

Meet the Head of Fiction

  • Head of Fiction

    Priyanka has been a part of the Indian film industry (Bollywood) for over 15 years and has explored and gained a vast amount of experience across various aspects of filmmaking, including production, direction, and writing. As a member of a renowned Bollywood family known for their contributions as writers and lyricists, Priyanka has grown up with films and music and is constantly aspiring to create magic through visuals. 

    She currently has a slate of projects setup for development and has also recently worked as an Assistant to producer- Shazia Javed for her  drama series "Potluck Ladies."

    Priyanka has successfully ventured into film production. The power of production amazes her, as it allows her to create impactful content that resonates with audiences worldwide. Her short film "The unnamed crime" was nominated for the Mumbai International women's film festival 2013 followed by her recent production and directorial, ‘Dark Memories” premiered at the IFFSA Festival 2024 and the Filmi Festival Toronto in 2023. One of her short films Produced in association with Millennial X, ‘Friends at my expense’ was also showcased at the Nuit Blanche Festival Toronto 2023.Her feature film titled "Frozen" was selected for the pitch workshop as part of the Canadian film festival's official selection 2023, The BIG PITCH at TIFF 2024 and the creators of color incubator in 2024, earning critical acclaim from senior jurors within the industry. Priyanka is an alum at the NORMAN JEWISON CFC Producer’s Lab 2024 as she actively steps into producing within the Canadian Film and Television industry.   

    Her relocation to Canada signifies her ambition to produce high-concept content and tell impactful stories in a subtle yet engaging manner.

Meet the Team

Our team works behind the scenes to ensure everything runs seamlessly. From managing day-to-day tasks to keeping the numbers in check, their expertise and attention to detail keep our operations on track, allowing the creative process to thrive.

  • Brand Manager

    With a background in marketing and design, Nikita Raman brings a creative and organized approach to her work. Through her growing collective, Nine Door Creative, and her experience at DOC Northwest, Nikita has supported corporate and local production teams by managing communications, enhancing content creation and digital engagement. Her diverse skill set ensures that every aspect of a production is well-coordinated and strategically aligned with its goals.

  • Accountant

    With over 10 years of experience in the business industry, Parm is the behind-the-scenes hero of film productions, keeping the numbers rolling smoothly! Specializing in bookkeeping and financial management for the entertainment world, she’s passionate about keeping every cent in check - and constantly reminding us to hand in those receipts!

    Her attention to detail helps us stay on budget and on track, while she makes sure the finances stay picture-perfect!