Tag: film

Events in Goa

WAVES Film Bazaar Launches in Goa, Celebrates Global Filmmaking Collaboration

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The WAVES Film Bazaar, South Asia’s premier global film market, officially opened today at the Marriott Resort in Panjim, Goa, with a vibrant inaugural ceremony attended by distinguished leaders, policymakers, filmmakers, and international delegates. Held annually alongside the International Film Festival of India, the 19th edition of the Bazaar, now rebranded as WAVES Film Bazaar, serves as a global hub for filmmakers, producers, sales agents, festival programmers, and distributors seeking creative and financial partnerships. Scheduled from November 20th to 24th, the market features 300 film projects and welcomes delegations from over seven countries.

Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, inaugurated the event, describing the Bazaar as a “complete ecosystem of screenings, masterclasses, and technology showcases.” Highlighting the market’s alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of “converting art into commerce,” he emphasized the world’s first e-marketplace for filmmakers, which facilitates collaboration between creators and countries. Shri Jaju also noted the curated projects, cash grants, and structured feedback mechanisms, alongside India’s first-ever AI Film Festival and Hackathon as key milestones in embracing the future of cinematic technology.

Guest of Honour Ms. Jaewon Kim, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, lauded the organisers’ dedication since the festival’s inception and expressed hope for strong India-Korea collaborations. She added a memorable moment by performing a soulful rendition of Vande Mataram, earning a standing ovation from the audience. Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, praised the Bazaar for empowering young storytellers and new voices, highlighting the participation of 124 new creators this year. He described the event as a bridge connecting creators and producers while projecting Indian culture and content on the global stage. Additional Secretary Shri Prabhat delivered the vote of thanks, rounding off a ceremony that celebrated creativity and industry leadership.

The inaugural event was further enriched by the presence of IFFI Festival Director and acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, actors Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna and Shri Anupam Kher, Jerome Paillard, Advisor to Waves Bazaar, Australian film director Garth Davis, and Shri Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of NFDC. Together, they underscored the Bazaar’s role as a dynamic confluence of artistic vision, innovation, and global collaboration, setting the tone for an inspiring and transformative week of cinematic exchange.

Social

Udant Honors Six Goan Icons on International Men’s Day, Celebrates the Spirit of Positive Masculinity

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Udant marked International Men’s Day with an inspiring celebration that brought together distinguished achievers, dignitaries, artists, and well-wishers in an evening dedicated to honoring the evolving narrative of masculinity. The event emphasized that true strength lies not in dominance but in empathy, kindness, and the courage to remain authentic. The program commenced with the traditional Lighting of the Lamp by Chief Guest Mrs. Smita Patil, Chairperson of CII IWN, the Guest of Honor Capt. Rajesh Yadav—recently crowned Mr. India 2025 in the Senior Category—alongside former awardees and the Udant organizing team. Their collective presence gave the evening a solemn yet uplifting beginning. Children from the Udant Centre set an emotional tone for the evening with a heartfelt welcome song, followed by a warm musical interlude by young guitarist Master Mathias, whose performance received enthusiastic applause.

The atmosphere grew more celebratory as Udant felicitated six remarkable Goan icons whose dedication and achievements have significantly shaped Goa’s cultural and social identity. Mr. Vinayak Khedekar was honored for his lifelong work as an eminent writer and folklorist, preserving the essence of Goan tradition through his insightful research and literary brilliance. Mr. Damodar Mauzo, an acclaimed author known for his fearless storytelling, was recognized for his monumental contribution to literature and his ability to portray the soul of Goa with striking authenticity. Mr. Siddhant Mulgaonkar Patil received the award for Inspirational Spirit, a testament to his resilience and commitment to transforming personal struggle into purposeful expression through writing and thought leadership.

Filmmaker and digital creator Mr. Mario Pimenta was celebrated for his innovative storytelling and ability to reach and inspire audiences across borders through social media. Dr. Pravin Gaonkar was recognized for his pivotal role as an Indian Classical Musician and educator, committed to nurturing young talents and preserving rich musical traditions. Acclaimed fashion visionary Mr. Praveen Saldanha, known as Monty Sally, was honored for his creative excellence in transforming narratives into distinctive couture, making a notable mark in the world of fashion.

The evening also witnessed the presence of former awardees, including renowned musician and composer Mr. Roque Lazarus and ace fashion photographer Mr. Prasad Pankar, whose attendance reaffirmed the lasting bond between Udant and the individuals it has honored over the years. Their presence added depth and continuity to the event’s spirit of mentorship and community. As the evening drew to a close, Mrs. Rahila Khan delivered a heartfelt Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to the dignitaries, awardees, performers, and guests who contributed to making the occasion truly memorable. The program concluded with a soulful performance by Scully Patricia Fernandes, leaving the audience with a lingering sense of joy, reflection, and appreciation.

Guests ended the evening with refreshments generously sponsored by Taj Cidade de Goa and Taj Vivanta Panjim, along with tea and vadas prepared by the chefs of Ddhyana – the wellness centre. The celebration not only honored outstanding individuals but also reaffirmed Udant’s commitment to fostering positive masculinity and recognizing those who uplift society with creativity, compassion, and courage.

Films

Disney’s Bold Double Trailer Drop: Devil Wears Prada 2 & Toy Story 5 Smash 24-Hour View Records

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Disney continues to disrupt traditional movie marketing, this time with a bold and unexpected double trailer release that instantly dominated global conversation. The studio dropped the highly anticipated trailers for Devil Wears Prada 2 and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 simultaneously, generating massive first-day viewership and setting the stage for two major summer 2026 theatrical events.

Leading the charge was Devil Wears Prada 2, reuniting Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci under the direction of returning filmmaker David Frankel. The trailer soared to 185 million views in its first 24 hours, ranking as the second most-viewed trailer of the year behind Fantastic Four: First Family. It became the top trailer of 2024 on Instagram with 79 million views and added another 60 million on TikTok. Fan sentiment has been overwhelmingly positive, with early reactions praising the film’s return to the iconic Runway universe and its pitch-perfect tease that gives just enough without revealing too much. The film is set to launch the 2026 summer box office on May 1.

Pixar’s Toy Story 5 delivered its own commanding performance with 142 million views in 24 hours, outpacing many recent animated franchise debuts. Instagram led the platform engagement with 47 million views, followed by TikTok with 37 million. The trailer also generated more than 142,000 social mentions across platforms, pushing the film and its characters into the top trending positions on Twitter/X. Conversation has centered around fans’ excitement for the franchise’s return to theaters, along with enthusiasm for the film’s timely “toys vs tech” storyline, which many find relevant and fresh. With Toy Story 4 holding the franchise’s domestic opening weekend record at $120.9 million and the series already surpassing $3 billion worldwide, the fifth installment is positioned for another major theatrical moment when it arrives Father’s Day weekend, June 19–21, 2026.

Disney’s unexpected trailer strategy proved highly effective, sparking enormous reach, cross-platform momentum, and widespread fan enthusiasm for both films. As anticipation builds, the double drop underscores the studio’s ability to command cultural attention and generate massive engagement long before audiences arrive at theaters.

Events in Goa

56th IFFI 2025 Showcases Seven Remarkable Debut Masterpieces from India and Around the World

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 is set to honour emerging voices in world cinema with seven debut masterpieces selected for the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director Award. The prestigious competition aims to promote exceptional new talent and celebrate the creativity of first-time filmmakers who are shaping the future of global storytelling.

The winner of this coveted category will receive the Silver Peacock, a cash prize of ₹10 lakh, and a commendation. The selection will be decided by a distinguished jury chaired by celebrated Indian filmmaker Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, alongside Graeme Clifford (Editor and Director, Australia), Katharina Schüttler (Actor, Germany), Chandran Rutnam (Filmmaker, Sri Lanka), and Remi Adefarasin (Cinematographer, England).

Representing the diversity of global cinema, the seven competing films include five international and two Indian titles.

Estonian filmmaker Tõnis Pill makes his debut with Fränk, a poignant coming-of-age story that explores fractured families and the healing power of unexpected friendship. Spanish filmmaker Gemma Blasco presents Fury (La Furia), a visceral feminist drama examining trauma, shame, and resilience through the lens of an actress reclaiming her narrative after assault.

From Germany, Christina Tournatzés’ Karla recounts the true story of a 12-year-old girl in 1962 Munich who bravely charges her abusive father — a sensitive portrayal of justice, trauma, and strength told with stunning emotional clarity.

Iranian director Hesam Farahmand’s My Daughter’s Hair (Raha) paints a powerful social portrait of class and dignity through the story of a father who sells his daughter’s hair to buy a laptop, only to uncover deep societal divides.

Mexican filmmaker Ernesto Martínez Bucio’s The Devil Smokes (and Saves the Burnt Matches in the Same Box) offers a haunting, surreal narrative about abandoned siblings grappling with isolation and imagination, merging childhood fears with psychological insight.

India’s cinematic talent is proudly represented by two powerful debut features. Tribeni Rai’s Shape of Momo, filmed in Nepali and set in Sikkim, follows a young woman’s quest for agency within a multi-generational household, exploring patriarchy and quiet resistance through lyrical storytelling. Shivraj Waichal’s Ata Thambaycha Naay! (Now, There’s No Stopping!) delivers a heartwarming Marathi-language drama inspired by true events, celebrating resilience and the transformative power of education among Mumbai’s sanitation workers.

Together, these seven films reflect IFFI’s ongoing mission to spotlight the next generation of cinematic storytellers — artists unafraid to confront social realities, reimagine tradition, and redefine what cinema can say. As the festival unfolds, audiences and jurors alike look forward to discovering which debut filmmaker will claim the Silver Peacock and join IFFI’s prestigious lineage of groundbreaking voices in world cinema.

Films

Lionsgate Unveils First Teaser for “Michael” — The Epic Biopic on the King of Pop Starring Jaafar Jackson

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Lionsgate has finally unveiled the first official teaser for Michael, the highly anticipated biopic about the life of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Scheduled to premiere on April 24, 2026, the film stars Jaafar Jackson, Michael’s nephew, stepping into his legendary uncle’s shoes. The trailer, released on November 6, offers an emotional and electrifying glimpse into the highs and lows of Jackson’s extraordinary life — from his early days with The Jackson 5 to his era-defining solo career.

In the teaser, Jaafar channels his uncle’s unmistakable charisma and energy, flawlessly recreating some of the most iconic moments in pop history, including scenes from the “Thriller” music video and Michael’s trademark moonwalk. The trailer features snippets of classics like “Billie Jean” and “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” instantly evoking nostalgia for fans who grew up with the music that changed the world.

The film’s synopsis reads: “MICHAEL is the cinematic portrayal of the life and legacy of one of the most influential artists the world has ever known. The film tells the story of Michael Jackson’s life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world. Highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career, the film gives audiences a front-row seat to Michael Jackson as never before. This is where his story begins.”

Since the teaser’s release, fans have taken to social media to share their excitement and emotional reactions. One viewer commented, “This isn’t nostalgia… it’s time travel.” Another wrote, “The greatest entertainer to ever walk this planet. Without the internet, without social media, he still ruled the world like a king. Even today, no one comes close.”

Jaafar Jackson, the film’s lead star, is Michael’s nephew — the son of Jermaine Jackson and Alejandra Genevieve Oaziaza. He was chosen for the role after an extensive worldwide casting search. Early reactions have praised his uncanny resemblance and authentic portrayal of his uncle, with many calling him “the perfect choice to continue Michael’s legacy.”

As anticipation builds for Michael, fans and critics alike are eager to see how the biopic captures the essence of a man whose influence transcended generations and genres. With Lionsgate behind the production and Jaafar channeling his uncle’s spirit, Michael promises to be more than a film — it’s a celebration of the King of Pop’s enduring magic.