Opening & Closing Films

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Opening Film – Sakuntalam (Sanskrit)



Sakuntala, daughter of Sage Viswamitra falls in love with King Dusyanta of the Puru Dynasty while he is on an hunting expedition. Months later, pregnant with his child, Sakuntala reaches the palace and Dusyanta has no recollection of what had transpired between them. Pre-dating the Mahabharata, Sakuntalam is an adaptation of Kalidasa's Abhijnanasakuntalam, and about the origins of Bharath (India).

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Closing Film – Bhagavadajjukam (Sanskrit)



Based on the 7 century CE Sanskrit drama credited to Bodhayana, this well-crafted film is about a Buddhist monk and a Courtesan whose atmas get exchanged due to an error made by the Yamaduta. A series of comical events ensue, and the collision of two worlds.

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Features

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The Passenger in Love (World Premiere)

A guy randomly asks a girl out at the Delhi train station. One is keeping a secret and the other longs for love. Will destiny intervene? (21+)

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Say it Thrice

Bizarre reality somersaults Manan, a particle physicist, into a hyperactive experience; the extreme pressure forces the truth out.

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Punorbason

As a transgender woman, Ranjana is a target. She and her dad approach the all-woman darbar samiti. What happens there gives hope.

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Panisokori (In the Swirls)

Ratiram's voyage to procure medicine to treat his son, manifests into a deeper voyage of systemic patriarchy, power play and superstition.

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New Material

Cassim is balancing a new marriage, a young child, aging parents, and being a Muslim stand-up in South Africa. And, it's all simmering!

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Muthayya

70-year-old Muthayya dreams of acting in movies, but faces obstacles. Somehow magic happens!

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Macha Do Bawandar Macha Do

A differently-abled boy aspires to become a football player, like his older brother. Both learn in the process.

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Lailaa Manju

Laila and Manju have been going out for what seems like a lifetime, but Manju’s mother, Poornima, has only just learned about it.

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Korangi Nunchi (Who will marry Thomas)

Koyalamma is stressed finding a match for her son as people are moving away from her small tribal hamlet. Then, the only bus service is cancelled!

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Giraki

A teen paraglider lands in a forest due to technical challenges. Giraki is a journey of getting away from civilization and landing back into it.

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Geometry Box

An old couple begin a road journey to visit their children, changing the perspectives about life.

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Documentaries

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Wanted Thakur

Wanted Thakur is about Gotakhor, a cliff-diver near the Narmada river. His craft has no safety net and death is just a slip away.

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Third

The strength of resolve in the transgender community in Assam, pitted against plight and suffering. Light is at the end of the tunnel.

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The Invisible Visible

The stories of homeless people unfold through the lens of 'Koshish', dedicated to repealing the notorious Bombay Beggary Prevention Act.

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Pabung Syam

A look at the life and work of Pabung Aribam Syam Sharma, a noted Manipuri filmmaker and composer through the eyes of an admirer and student.

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Noishobder Kobita (An ode to quietude)

Noishobder Kobita is a documentary of the life of Jogesh Dutta, an Indian mime, who for over fifty years, pioneered the art form in India.

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Indian Museum Kolkata

Indian Museum Kolkata houses history - sculpture, architecture, artifacts, galleries, events as the oldest and the largest museum in India.

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If Memory Serves Me Right

Rashid Irani once owned an Irani restaurant, and lived life vicariously through movies - Monroe, Dean, Herzog, Kairostami, and more!

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I Rise

Laishram Sarita Devi, a pugilist, spared no effort to become a celebrated sports star of International fame. And balanced being a mother and a sportswoman.

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Sajubai Gavit

The battle of Sajubai Gavit for rights to claim water, forest, and land. The triumphant struggle of those that were bravely nurtured by the primeval mother.

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B B Lal – Doyen of Indian Archaeology

A befitting tribute to the man who held the biggest mirror to that wonder that was India. Archaeologist Prof. BB Lal passed away just a few weeks ago.

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Aruna Vasudev – Mother of Asian Cinema

Aruna Vasudev is an critic, author, editor, painter, filmmaker and an eminent scholar on Asian cinema. She is described as the mother of Asian Cinema.

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Shorts

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Tune of Life

Enduring his own obstacles, the flute performer's inner soul rhythm tunes with the soul of the forlorn by alleviating their agony.

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Tohfa

A grumpy old man lives alone in a house. A parcel arrives that alters his perspective towards the world.

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Sri Aurobindo-Beginning of Spiritual Journey (150th Birth Anniversary)

On his 150th Birth Anniversary, this beautifully-shot film is about prison life of Sri Aurobindo Ghose, where began his spiritual journey.

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Silver Threads Golden Hands

A craft as old and timeless as its namesake city, Banarasi weaving is slowly losing its identity. But the workers are the real heroes.

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Nimbu Mirchi

An accident reunites Ada with Arnav. The situation gets confusing when Ada meets her doctor.

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Nauha

A young man has to care for a dying old man; the experience is "rewarding" in more ways than one.

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Munghyar

The panchayat boycotts Shankar's family for not keeping his word to his sister.

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Mummyji Namaste

Living far away from loved ones and being stuck amidst difficulties, taste for life suddenly becomes an elixir.

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Lahore Bhojanalay

A man on a mission right in the heart of enemy lines, gets help from a stranger, who sees right through.

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Jal Jungle Jameen

We can only do so much by ourselves but coming together can ensure we can reimagine to result a deeper impact - the moral here!

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Guru Dutt ki koi Film

A cinema projectionist constantly reimagines how films should end, and slowly merges with that alternate reality - like Guru Dutt.

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Erolnungdagi (From the Depth)

A school teacher perseveres to conserve his indigenous culture, traditions and dialect amidst a fast growing urbanized world.

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Bhangadwadi

A bus suffers a breakdown, and it has become quite dark. The bus driver, an old man, the folk dancer and her colleague - none can help avoid a surreal ending.

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An Indian Samurai

A tribute to Netaji Subash Chandra Bose on his 125th Birth Anniversary.

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AC 1995

Insulting somone may turn into a curse for you and a boon to them, even when it is about an air-conditoner.

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A Lost Tune Of Life

One morning Jiban lost his Trumpet on his way home, and life came to a halt.

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A Cup of Monsoon

On a beautiful rainy day, Bhavya encounters a taste of monsoon romance – A cup of monsoon!

Women & Children Short

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Unsaid (Avaak)

Suraj leaves home against his mother's wishes. Grief breaks that long silence.

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Sakhaldand (The Shackles)

A simple story about the units of measurement that evaluate a woman's existence.

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Rajasaur

How do you return the egg of a dinosaur? Well, this father and daughter will show you.

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Radha (Animation)

Krishna is incomplete without Radha and with Radha it's the same. But its an elderly lady and a young boy we are talking about!

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Parijat

Charuch's burning mind delves to realize a mysterious secret of life.. Parijat!

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Meri Cycle

Ganu wanted new cycle for his birthday, but that incident makes a stranger realize a mistake.

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Malala weeps “Corona Go”

A girl in her school on a lockdown day - many truths dawn on her!

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Maashi

10-year old Chikoo witnesses the death of his beloved nanny Maashi, and everything changes for him.

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Just Another day

The story of a 40-something, recently separated, as she navigates through her life in the busy city of Mumbai – one 24-hour slice.

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Jilabichi Gosht (A Sweet Story)

A little girl hides the sweet she brought from home, but realizes the importance of Balasaheb's concept of Suvichara.

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Ahilyabai Holkar (Animation)

Ahilyabai Holkar triumphed over the hurdles of convention and personal tragedies to single-mindedly dedicate her life to Raja Dharma.

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2022 Team

Core Team

  • Festival Director – Danji Thotapalli
  • Head of Programming – Nikita Hattangady
  • Head of Filmmaker Liaison – Christian Frost

Jury Board

  • Renata Keller, Filmmaker
  • Aditya Patwardhan, Filmmaker
  • Sriram Raja, Filmmaker
  • Manouj Kadaambh, Filmmaker

Technology

  • Koti Ramprasad
  • Yogesh Shrivastava
  • Bharti Mohanty

Programming Team

  • Pawan Janakiram
  • Sushma Kashyap
  • Adya Kumar
  • Chandra Kalakuntla
  • Avinash Dongre

Social Media Team

  • Manish, SocialHi5