Tag: film

Films

Bhaangar: Kalakusar Karigiri to Represent Goan Culture at International Folklore Film Festival, Kerala

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goan documentary Bhaangar: Kalakusar Karigiri, directed by Prachi Shirodkar, has been officially selected for screening at the 9th edition of the International Folklore Film Festival (IFFF), Kerala. The festival will be held from January 15 to 22, 2026, across five venues in the state, bringing together folklore-focused films and documentaries from around the world.

Among 659 national and international short films submitted, Bhaangar: Kalakusar Karigiri stands out as one of only two Goan films selected for the week-long festival, marking a significant milestone for Goan cinema and cultural representation on an international platform.

Directed, shot, and narrated by Prachi Shirodkar, and edited by Mario Pimenta, the documentary offers an intimate portrayal of Goa’s traditional goldsmith community. The film was produced under the guidance of Agnelo D’Souza at Don Bosco College, Panjim, and documents the intricate craftsmanship, heritage, and lived realities of artisans whose skills have been passed down through generations.

The documentary features Goan artisans Rashila Shirodkar, Virendra Rivankar, and Pranay Shirodkar, capturing their techniques, artistic precision, and the cultural significance of gold craftsmanship in Goa. Through careful observation and storytelling, the film highlights the deep connection between labour, identity, and tradition within the community.

Prachi Shirodkar, a Goan filmmaker with a diploma in Architecture and a degree in Mass Communication, created Bhaangar: Kalakusar Karigiri with the intention of documenting and preserving the craftsmanship of Goan gold artisans. As a Goan woman filmmaker, her work represents an important contribution to women’s empowerment, amplifying female voices in documentary filmmaking and cultural narratives.

Beyond celebrating Goan heritage, the film also underscores women’s leadership, authorship, and creative ownership in cinema—fields historically dominated by men. Prachi’s journey reflects a growing movement of Goan women reclaiming and narrating stories rooted in culture, labour, and identity.

The 9th International Folklore Film Festival is being organised by the International Film Festival of Thrissur, Bhoumam Social Initiative, Centre for Media Studies, St. Thomas College, Thrissur, and International Folk Films India. Dedicated to showcasing films rooted in folklore, rural traditions, mythology, arts, handicrafts, and sustainable lifestyles, the festival serves as a global platform for culturally grounded storytelling.

Bhaangar: Kalakusar Karigiri stands as a meaningful contribution to this global dialogue, proudly representing Goan culture, craftsmanship, and women-led storytelling on the international stage.

Films

Goan Film The Awakening Selected for Mitee Environment Short Film & Documentary Festival 2026

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Intern Rency Gomes, Team Allycaral

Goan short film The Awakening, directed by young filmmaker Rameez Shaikh, has been officially selected for screening at the 5th Mitee Environment Short Film and Documentary Festival. The film will be screened on January 11, 2026, at the Lady Ramabai Auditorium, S.P. College, Pune. Scheduled from January 9 to 11, the festival will present over 40 environment-focused short films and documentaries from across the world, with The Awakening standing out as the sole Goan film featured this year.

Organised by the Mitee Film Society, the festival has grown into an important platform for young and emerging filmmakers, particularly those addressing social and environmental issues. Now in its fifth edition, the festival continues its mission of nurturing youth voices and showcasing cinema that informs, inspires, and provokes meaningful dialogue among audiences.

The Awakening stars Rameez Shaikh, Siya Chodankar, and Cyrus Fernandes in lead roles. The screenplay and cinematography were handled by Numair Khan, who also co-wrote the story along with Rameez Shaikh and Sharvi Dhond. Editing was done by Varun Kashyap, with technical support from Boskon Studio. The film’s background score was composed by Cyrus Fernandes, while production was managed by Sharvi Dhond and Ebenezer Rajamanickam.

Director Rameez Shaikh, a 21-year-old Gen Z filmmaker from Goa, is a Mass Communication graduate from Don Bosco College, Panjim. In addition to filmmaking, he is a digital creator who has won several local and national-level reel competitions alongside his brothers Ismail Shaikh and Aarif Shaikh.

The film centres on a conversation between two friends contemplating a dying planet, gradually realising that meaningful change begins with shifting mindsets and embracing environmental responsibility. Set against the backdrop of a decaying city, the narrative highlights how apathy has become one of the greatest contributors to environmental degradation, while stressing the power of collective action by ordinary people.

Through its reflective storytelling, The Awakening urges viewers to confront indifference and recognise their individual and collective responsibility towards the planet. The film envisions a future shaped by conscious choices, empathy for the environment, and a shared commitment to safeguarding the world for generations to come.

Films

83rd Golden Globe Awards 2026: Full List of Winners from Hollywood’s First Big Night

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Hollywood’s awards season officially began with the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, held on Sunday night at the iconic Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills. Known for its relaxed, champagne-filled atmosphere, the Golden Globes once again brought together the biggest names from the worlds of film and television under one glittering roof.

Comedian Nikki Glaser returned as host for the second consecutive year, steering the ceremony with her signature wit and humour. The night celebrated outstanding achievements across cinema, television, stand-up comedy and podcasts, making it one of the most diverse and eagerly awaited award shows of the season.

In the film categories, Hamnet emerged as the winner for Best Motion Picture – Drama, while One Battle After Another dominated the Musical or Comedy category. Animated feature KPop Demon Hunters stood out with a major win, further underlining the growing global influence of animation and pop culture crossovers. The Secret Agent claimed the Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language award, highlighting the continued rise of international cinema at global award platforms.

On the acting front, Jessie Buckley (Hamnet) and Wagner Moura (The Secret Agent) took home top honours in the drama categories, while Timothée Chalamet won Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for Marty Supreme. Rose Byrne was recognised for her performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, and Teyana Taylor earned acclaim for her supporting role in One Battle After Another.

Television also had a strong presence, with The Pitt winning Best Drama Series and The Studio taking home Best Musical or Comedy Series. Adolescence emerged as the top Limited Series, while individual performances by Rhea Seehorn, Noah Wyle, Jean Smart and Michelle Williams stood out among the winners.

Beyond film and television, Ricky Gervais won Best Stand-Up Comedy on Television for Mortality, while Good Hang with Amy Poehler was named Best Podcast, reflecting the expanding scope of storytelling and entertainment honoured by the Golden Globes.

With the Golden Globes setting the tone, Hollywood now looks ahead to the rest of the awards season, as industry favourites and emerging talents continue their race toward the Oscars and beyond.

Events in Goa

Transcend Goa 2026: India’s First Transmedia Conclave to Debut in Goa

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Goa is set to witness a landmark moment for India’s creative industries with the launch of Transcend Goa 2026, the country’s first-ever Transmedia Conclave. Organised by the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) and Goa Future Proof, with support from the Government of Goa, the pilot edition will be held on January 15 and 16, 2026, at the historic Marquinez Palace in Panjim.

Envisioned as a future-facing platform by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, Transcend Goa 2026 aims to bring together leading creative minds from cinema, publishing, gaming, and artificial intelligence to explore how storytelling can evolve beyond a single medium. The conclave seeks to spark conversations around building Indian-origin transmedia intellectual properties and taking cinema beyond the screen into immersive, multi-platform experiences.

At its core, the conclave is designed to converge stakeholders across industries and spotlight case studies that demonstrate how Indian content can successfully transition across formats — from books and films to games, digital worlds, and emerging technologies. The initiative also places a strong focus on championing homegrown content and enabling Indian stories to reach global audiences through collaboration and innovation.

The two-day conclave will feature keynote sessions, panel discussions, and in-depth case studies led by an influential lineup of speakers. These include Sajan Raj Kurup, Chairman of Creativeland Asia Group; producer Monisha Advani; filmmakers Raja Krishna Menon, Om Raut, and Q; along with industry veterans Afsar Zaidi and Caleb Franklin. Special presentations will also be delivered by Vipul Agrawal, founder of India’s leading AI-driven content company; Vignesh Raja, co-founder of A.R. Rahman’s META project; and renowned transmedia specialist Jean Pierre Magro, among others.

Speaking about the vision behind the conclave, Harish Rao, organiser of Transcend Goa 2026, said that Indian stories have always had the power to transcend cultures. He noted that the conclave aims to create a collaborative platform where creators, technologists, and industry leaders can collectively reimagine how stories are told, experienced, and scaled globally across multiple formats.

With plans to evolve into a larger, more forward-focused platform in the years ahead, Transcend Goa has been crafted to place Goa firmly on the global creative economy map. Registrations for Transcend Goa 2026 are now open.

Films

Smoke and Mirrors Wins Best Student Short Film at Goa International Film Competition

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Smoke and Mirrors, a Goan psychological thriller directed by Rameez Shaikh, has won the Best Student Short Film award at the prestigious Goa International Film Competition, marking a significant milestone for student cinema from the state. The recognition highlights not only the film’s compelling narrative but also the growing confidence and creative ambition of young filmmakers emerging from Goa.

The film follows the unsettling journey of Maya, a young woman who begins to experience Capgras Syndrome, a rare psychological condition that causes her to believe that people close to her have been replaced by impostors. As Maya struggles to understand her increasingly fractured perception of reality, the line between truth and illusion gradually dissolves. The story builds toward a shocking and unexpected turn, offering a chilling exploration of the human mind and its capacity for self-deception.

Central to the film’s impact are its powerful performances. Prachi Shirodkar delivers a layered and emotionally intense portrayal of Maya, capturing her vulnerability, confusion, and inner turmoil with striking authenticity. Varun Thanki, who plays David, Maya’s husband, brings depth to a role defined by emotional conflict, balancing support with growing uncertainty. Chinmaya Damodlekar, as Dr. Jay, adds subtle nuance to the narrative, further strengthening the film’s psychological tension.

Behind the camera, Smoke and Mirrors is equally notable for the dedication of its crew. Director Rameez Shaikh took on multiple responsibilities, serving as writer, storyteller, cinematographer, and production manager, overseeing nearly every creative aspect of the project. Varun Kashyap contributed significantly as editor and sound designer, while also supporting the production as a spot boy, adding technical precision and on-set efficiency to the film.

Sharvi Dhond played a key role in shaping the film’s story alongside Rameez Shaikh and also handled costume design and makeup, ensuring visual continuity and character authenticity. Poonam Bind managed audio and data coordination, contributing to the smooth execution of the production. Ebenezer Rajamanickam assisted with lighting and camera work, while Craig Rodrigues supported the team as a spot boy, helping maintain a seamless workflow on set.

Smoke and Mirrors was created as a final-year short film for the B.A. Mass Communication course at Don Bosco College, Panjim, under the guidance of Ardra Naik. The film’s success at the Goa International Film Competition stands as a testament to the strength of academic mentorship combined with student-driven creativity.

This recognition not only celebrates the achievement of Rameez Shaikh and his team but also underscores the rising presence of student-led films within the broader Indian film landscape. With its compelling concept, strong performances, and committed crew, Smoke and Mirrors emerges as a remarkable example of the future of Goan cinema.