Category: Films

Films

Waves Films Bids $20,000 in Co-Production Grants at Goa Film Market

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Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

The Waves Film Bazaar has officially opened submissions for its Co-Production Market, set to take place from November 20 to 24, 2025, in Goa. As South Asia’s largest film market and an integral part of India’s international film outreach, this event will run parallel to the prestigious International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Since 2007, the Co-Production Market has played a critical role in shaping the careers of many independent filmmakers, helping launch globally recognized titles such as The Lunchbox, Newton, Dum Lagake Haisha, Girls Will Be Girls, and the animated feature Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust.

For its 19th edition, the Waves Film Bazaar will award a total of $20,000 in cash grants across three categories:

  • First Prize for Feature Film: $10,000
  • Second Prize for Feature Film: $5,000
  • Special Grant for a Documentary: $5,000

These awards aim to support innovative storytelling and enable new co-production opportunities between South Asian filmmakers and global industry stakeholders. Selected filmmakers will be given a platform to pitch their projects to international producers, distributors, financiers, and sales agents—opening pathways for funding, distribution, and creative collaboration.

The deadline for submitting feature film projects is September 7, 2025, and for documentaries, September 13, 2025. The event itself will be hosted at the Marriott Resort in Goa, promising both a high-level networking opportunity and an immersive experience for filmmakers eager to enter the international market.

With the Indian independent film scene gaining momentum globally, initiatives like Waves Film Bazaar are essential in providing structure, visibility, and financial incentives for fresh voices in cinema. For emerging and established creators alike, this is a golden opportunity to bring compelling stories to life on an international stage.

Films

“Ancessao” by Manguirish J. Bandodkar Officially Selected for IFFSA Toronto 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

In a moment of pride for Konkani cinema and Goan artistry, Ancessao, a short film by young filmmaker Manguirish J. Bandodkar, has been officially selected for the International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto 2025.

Set against the culturally rich backdrop of Goa, Ancessao is a poignant narrative that captures the emotional depth, language, and lived experiences of the region through the lens of nuanced storytelling and visual authenticity. The film reflects the director’s deep commitment to preserving and promoting Konkani language and culture through cinema.

IFFSA Toronto is one of the largest South Asian film festivals outside of India, celebrating diverse voices and innovative storytelling. The inclusion of Ancessao in the 2025 lineup brings fresh visibility to Konkani-language cinema and regional filmmakers pushing creative boundaries.

As regional cinema continues to gain international attention, Ancessao stands as a strong testament to the power of rooted storytelling and the growing platform for young filmmakers from Goa.

Films

Hollywood Action Film ‘Sisu: Road to Revenge’ Unleashes First Trailer

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

Hollywood’s much-awaited sequel Sisu: Road to Revenge has officially dropped its first trailer — and it’s just as intense, blood-soaked, and unforgiving as fans had hoped. A follow-up to the 2023 cult action sensation Sisu, this new chapter dives deeper into revenge, grit, and survival.

Jorma Tommila returns in his iconic role as Aatami, a silent but savage warrior who, in this installment, is pushed to the edge after his family is brutally murdered. The trailer teases a powerful revenge arc, as Aatami heads into yet another fight for justice, only to be threatened again by a formidable new enemy that jeopardizes his plans.

The two-minute trailer packs in gritty visuals, bone-crunching hand-to-hand combat, explosive sequences, and a haunting soundtrack that perfectly complements the film’s dark tone. Notably, the film is rated R and comes with a strict 18+ parental advisory due to its graphic violence and gore — staying true to the genre’s unapologetic roots.

Fans of the original will recognize familiar faces from the 2023 film, and the core cast is back with even more intensity. Supported by a host of fierce supporting characters, Sisu: Road to Revenge looks set to up the ante in every possible way.

The movie continues its Finnish-American roots, blending minimalist storytelling with raw, visceral action — a trademark of the original Sisu that earned it praise from critics and audiences alike.

With the first trailer now officially live, Sisu: Road to Revenge is already generating massive buzz online, with fans eagerly awaiting its theatrical release. Whether you’re a fan of high-octane action or revenge thrillers, this movie promises a brutal ride worth every minute.

Watch the trailer today and get ready — Aatami is back, and this time, it’s personal.

Films

Bollywood Movie ‘War 2’ Crosses ₹339 Crore Worldwide, Becomes Box Office Success After ‘Ek Tha Tiger’

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

Bollywood’s cinematic universe continues to expand — and win. War 2, starring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, is officially a box office success story. The film has raked in ₹339 crore worldwide in just 11 days, and is now inching closer to the ₹350-crore milestone.

Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film is the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster War and is part of the YRF Spy Universe, which includes previous hits like Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, and Pathaan.

💰 Box Office Performance (as of Day 11):

  • Domestic net: ₹214 crore
  • Domestic gross: ₹264 crore
  • Overseas earnings: Over $9 million (approx. ₹75 crore)
  • Total worldwide gross: ₹339 crore

Despite a minor dip in its second week, War 2 held steady over the weekend with a ₹6.5 crore haul on Sunday alone, and ₹16.75 crore across its second weekend in India.

The film’s overseas performance has been equally impressive, particularly in North America, the Middle East, and the UK. The global fan bases of Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR have played a crucial role in this wide appeal.

War 2 not only strengthens YRF’s vision of an interconnected spy world but also sets the stage for more crossover events and character integrations in future films. With its high-octane action, star power, and sleek production, War 2 has reaffirmed the success formula for Indian cinematic universes.

“The war is not over yet for the box office,” one trade analyst noted. “This one’s still going strong.”

With more fuel left in its theatrical run, War 2 is expected to comfortably cross the ₹350 crore milestone. For fans of spy thrillers, this is one film that’s ticking all the right boxes.

Films

Director Prasanth Varma Set to Helm ‘Zombie Reddy 2’ Sequel Starring Teja Sajja Under PMF Films

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H , Team Allycaral

Telugu cinema is all set for another thrilling chapter as acclaimed director Prasanth Varma officially announces the sequel to the 2021 horror-action film Zombie Reddy. Titled Zombie Reddy 2, the movie will see Teja Sajja return in the lead, with production being undertaken by PMF Films.

Known for his genre-defying storytelling and ambitious filmmaking, Prasanth Varma gained critical and commercial success with titles like Awe (2018), Kalki, and the recent pan-India hit Hanu-Man. With Zombie Reddy 2, he revisits the world that earned him massive applause for blending horror, action, and satire in a uniquely Telugu narrative.

“My cinematic influences range from Christopher Nolan to Singeetam Srinivas Rao and K. Viswanath. They’ve shaped my vision, and with every film, I strive to bring something new to the audience,” Prasanth Varma shared in an interview with Idlebrain.com.

The original Zombie Reddy was notable for being the first zombie film in Telugu cinema and opened the doors for genre experimentation in the industry. The sequel will reportedly retain the core cast while exploring a different storyline, promising new thrills and more intense action.

While the filming schedule and exact release date are yet to be revealed, insiders suggest the movie is set for release by the end of this year. It will be shot across multiple locations and aims to push the boundaries of visual storytelling and special effects in Indian horror cinema.

Teja Sajja, who starred in the original and was recently seen in Hanu-Man, expressed his excitement to reunite with Varma, praising his visionary direction and passion for cinema.

Stay tuned as Zombie Reddy 2 gears up to take over the box office, building on the legacy of its predecessor while carving out a new path in horror-action filmmaking.