During its 40th anniversary celebrations, the Annecy International Animation Film Market (MIFA) will be holding the Namaste MIFA! India Partner Pitch event on June 11. This special occasion will showcase six animation projects from a total of eight talented Indian creators.
The curated pitching session is organized by India’s AniMela Festival.
The exhibit showcases a wide range of modern Indian animation productions, encompassing various styles and subjects. Among the displayed pieces is “Work in Progress,” an animated documentary running for approximately 70 minutes, directed by Subarna Dash and Sneha Das. This film chronicles the lives of six young urban Indian women as they journey through different stages of womanhood during their mid-late twenties. The narrative unfolds through a series of amusing, recognizable, and sometimes embarrassing stories.
One of the short films is titled “My First Kiss,” which is a 15-minute drama by director Shrobontika Dasgupta that combines social and emotional themes. This film deals with the sensitive topic of child sexual abuse using the narrative of a young girl named Little Rani and her imaginary friend, Mr. Chicken. The objective of this movie is to spark discussions about appropriate and inappropriate touch within every household by sharing a relatable story.
One short film is called “My First Kiss.” It’s a 15-minute drama directed by Shrobontika Dasgupta that tells the story of Little Rani and her imaginary friend, Mr. Chicken, to bring attention to child sexual abuse. The movie aims to encourage families to talk about good touches and bad touches using a personal tale as an example.
In the film titled “Patangein,” directed by Arya Pandey, we witness a poignant 15-minute tale unfolding in the backdrop of ancient Lucknow. The story revolves around a young barber grappling with sorrow and haunted by apparitions of kites, which serve as a painful reminder of his late brother. The narrative reaches its climax when the kites ascend, symbolically mirroring a journey towards home.
The brief film “Daak,” helmed by Rahul Chakraborty, narrates the story of a 15-year-old boy named Dukhe, who dwells in the Sundarbans. During his journey, he encounters Dakshin Ray, a mystical tiger spirit, in a 20-minute tale that weaves themes of environmental preservation and personal growth.
The short movie “Daak,” made by Rahul Chakraborty, is about a 15-year-old boy named Dukhe who lives in the Sundarbans. In this story, he meets Dakshin Ray, a magical tiger spirit. The tale lasts for about 20 minutes and talks about caring for nature and changing oneself.
Two intriguing series complete the lineup: “Penumbra,” a gripping psychological thriller by Taher Kapadiya that explores the supernatural through 20-minute episodes about spirit hunters, in a world where “superstitions materialize as real terrors.” The other is “M.O.M – Ma On a Mission,” conceived by Rituparna Sarkar and Sruti Menon, a hearty 25-minute family comedy centering around an Indian mother who possesses hidden powers. One day, her son mysteriously vanishes into an alternate digital world.
The event is jointly organized by Institut Français, the French Embassy in India, Assemblage Entertainment, and Zebu, as part of AniMela’s continuous effort to exhibit Indian animation skills globally.
As a passionate cinephile immersed in the vibrant world of Indian animation, I’m consistently amazed by the diverse range of stories being told. From the fluidity of English narratives to the emotional depth of Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, and Malayalam productions, these projects cater to a wide spectrum of audiences – from young teenagers to families. This rich tapestry underscores the expansive scope of modern Indian animation storytelling.
In the work-in-progress feature films category at Annecy, we find “Heirloom,” directed by Upamanyu Bhattacharyya. This India-Germany co-production is set in 1960s Ahmedabad and revolves around Kirti, a young businessman, who fights to preserve handlooms. His wife Sonal, suffering from a hereditary disease, advocates for their family’s future by suggesting they switch to powerlooms. The narrative delves into the dilemma they face when confronted with a tapestry that depicts their entire family history, forcing them to decide between progression and clinging to nostalgia.
The team working on “Heirloom” comprises producer Arya Menon of Odd&Even Pictures, animation director Gaurav Wakankar, co-producer Fabian Driehorst of PomPom Animation, and executive producer Arpan Gaglani from Otter Studios. These individuals are part of the project.
Read More
2025-06-11 12:46