Tag: film

Events in Goa

Cinema from Northeast India Shines at IFFI 2025 with Powerful Lineup from Assam, Manipur, and Sikkim

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo, Team Allycaral

Cinema from Northeast India is set to make a strong impression at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2025 in Goa, with a remarkable lineup of films from Assam, Manipur, and Sikkim featured in the Indian Panorama section. The festival, scheduled from November 20 to 28, 2025, continues to serve as a vibrant showcase of Indian creativity, cultural diversity, and cinematic excellence.

The Indian Panorama, a flagship component of IFFI since 1978, is devoted to promoting Indian films that represent the best of the country’s creative spirit and cultural heritage. This year’s selection highlights the Northeast’s cinematic growth and the region’s distinctive storytelling tradition that blends realism, identity, and emotion.

In the Feature Film category, Assam and Manipur have made a powerful mark. Bhaimon Da (Assamese), directed by Sasanka Samir and produced by Zeal Creations, tells the inspiring story of celebrated Assamese filmmaker Munin Barua, exploring his life and the challenges faced by Assamese cinema across decades. The film is both a tribute and a chronicle of artistic perseverance.

From Manipur, Naorem Dinesh Singh’s Oitharei continues the state’s legacy of socially conscious cinema. The film tells the story of a widow displaced by the ethnic unrest in Manipur since 2023, offering a poignant portrayal of grief, survival, and the quest for peace. Produced under Oitharei, it reflects the emotional depth that has long defined Manipuri filmmaking, echoing the work of masters like Aribam Syam Sharma.

Adding to Assam’s prominence is Sikaar, directed by Debangkar Borgohain and produced by Mitra Bhattacharya, which has been selected for the Mainstream Cinema section. Starring Zubeen Garg, Urmila Mahanta, and Adil Hussain, the film is being hailed for its high production values, compelling narrative, and status as the most expensive Assamese film ever made. Sikaar symbolizes a new era of ambition for Assamese cinema, blending regional storytelling with national appeal.

The region’s strength also extends to the Non-Feature Film category. Assam’s Patralekha, directed by Namrata Datta, explores themes of identity and communication through a poetic lens. From Manipur, Battlefield by Borun Thokchom captures the stark realities of life in a conflict-torn state with documentary precision and emotional power.

From Sikkim, Samten Bhutia’s Shangrila, produced by the National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), provides a rare window into Sikkimese culture and creativity. The Sikkimese-language documentary expands the cinematic map of the Northeast, celebrating the region’s evolving artistic identity and contribution to Indian cinema.

On November 27, IFFI will host a special discussion titled “New North East Cinema and Film Schools.” The session will examine the emergence of a new generation of filmmakers from Indian film schools, particularly from the Northeast, and how these institutions nurture unique voices that bring fresh perspectives to national cinema. The dialogue will explore how these directors are reshaping Indian storytelling through authenticity, experimentation, and regional identity.

The inclusion of films from Assam, Manipur, and Sikkim at IFFI 2025 reflects the growing prominence of the Northeast as a cinematic powerhouse. With stories rooted in culture, resilience, and human emotion, the region continues to redefine the contours of Indian filmmaking — asserting that powerful narratives often emerge from the country’s most diverse corners.

Events in Goa

Countdown to IFFI 2025 Begins: 56th Edition Promises 240+ Films, Global Premieres & Creative Innovation

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo, Team Allycaral

The countdown to the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) officially began with a curtain-raiser event held in New Delhi, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most vibrant editions yet. The festival, to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2025, will feature over 240 films from 81 countries, including 13 world premieres, 5 international premieres, and 44 Asian premieres. With a record 2,314 submissions from 127 countries, IFFI continues to strengthen its place on the global festival map as a platform celebrating cinematic excellence and innovation.

Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Dr. L. Murugan, announced that this year’s festival will focus on inclusivity, innovation, and emerging talent. More than 50 women directors will have their films showcased, reflecting the government’s commitment to promoting Nari Shakti in cinema. The festival will also continue its OTT awards, recognizing outstanding achievements in streaming content, while introducing measures to simplify film certification and strengthen anti-piracy laws. The Ministry’s new “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” film certification will encourage multi-language productions, reinforcing cultural unity.

IFFI 2025 will feature Japan as the Country of Focus, with Spain and Australia joining as Partner and Spotlight countries respectively. The lineup will include over 80 award-winning festival titles and 21 official Oscar-nominated films. The Opening Film, The Blue Trail by Brazilian auteur Gabriel Mascaro, will set the tone for the festival with its poetic exploration of freedom and resilience. Among other highlights, the Gala Premieres segment will host 18 films, featuring red-carpet events and world-class talent.

The festival will also pay centenary tributes to Indian cinema legends Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Ritwik Ghatak, P. Bhanumathi, Bhupen Hazarika, and Salil Chowdhury, showcasing some of their most iconic works. Superstar Rajinikanth will be felicitated at the closing ceremony, marking his 50 years in cinema. The Indian Panorama section will feature 25 feature films, 20 non-feature films, and 5 debut features, with Amaran (Tamil) opening the Feature category.

The Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) initiative continues to grow, with 124 selected participants competing in a 48-hour filmmaking challenge in collaboration with ShortsTV. The 19th edition of the WAVES Film Bazaar will offer over 300 projects for co-production, financing, and global collaborations. With a focus on technology, the Tech Pavilion will showcase innovations in AI, VFX, CGI, and animation.

Masterclasses and panels will bring together cinematic icons including Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Aamir Khan, Anupam Kher, Ravi Varman, and Sreekar Prasad, offering insights into evolving storytelling, acting, and technology. The international jury, chaired by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, includes distinguished members from Australia, England, Germany, and Sri Lanka.

Accessibility remains a key focus, with multilingual dubbing, sign language interpretation, and audio description across all major venues in Panjim, Porvorim, and Madgaon. Open-air screenings at Miramar and Anjuna beaches will continue to celebrate cinema under the stars.

Festival Director Shekhar Kapur emphasized that India, as the world’s largest film-making and film-watching nation, is uniquely positioned to lead global storytelling. He described the Film Bazaar as a movement empowering young creators through technology and collaboration, while viewing Artificial Intelligence as a creative ally for storytellers.

With its powerful mix of global cinema, technology-driven experiences, and cultural celebration, IFFI 2025 reaffirms India’s place at the crossroads of creativity, collaboration, and cinematic excellence.

Special Occasion

International Animation Day 2025: Celebrating the Magic That Moves Us

Tanisha Cardozo

On October 28, the world celebrates a medium that defies limits — animation. International Animation Day 2025 is more than a date on the calendar; it’s a reminder that every frame, drawing, and pixel tells a story only motion can capture.

The celebration traces back to 1892, when Émile Reynaud projected the first animated film to a live audience in Paris. Over a century later, his flickering lights have evolved into galaxies of creativity — from the timeless magic of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to the emotional depth of Coco and the artistic revolution of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

Animation has always been a universal language. It makes us laugh with Shrek, cry with Up, and dream with Your Name. It pushes technology forward while keeping storytelling at its heart. Whether hand-drawn, stop-motion, or CGI, animation blends art and science in a dance of imagination that transcends borders and age.

And we cannot talk about animation without acknowledging the cultural power of anime — Japan’s gift to the world. From the dreamlike wonder of Spirited Away to the futuristic visions of Akira, from the emotional resonance of A Silent Voice to the breathtaking artistry of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, anime has redefined how stories are told. Its influence reaches far beyond Japan — inspiring global audiences and even shaping Western animation styles and storytelling techniques.

This year, creators around the world will mark the day with film screenings, workshops, and tributes to pioneers who shaped the industry. ASIFA continues to lead this global celebration, recognizing animation not only as an art form but as a cultural bridge — connecting stories from Tokyo to Toronto, Mumbai to Mexico City.

As audiences, we celebrate not just the films but the artists behind them — the animators who spend countless hours crafting emotion from light, movement, and patience. Every frame is a heartbeat of creativity, and every scene a reminder that stories move us because they move.

So on this International Animation Day, pause your scrolling and revisit a world that shaped your imagination. Maybe it’s the lantern-lit sky of Tangled, the surreal dreamscapes of Paprika, or the quiet beauty of Whisper of the Heart. Each of these stories began as still images — until someone dared to make them move.

Animation doesn’t just entertain us. It reminds us to wonder, to imagine, and to believe that even the simplest sketch can change the world when given motion.

Music

Miley Cyrus Announces New Song ‘Dream As One’ for Avatar: Fire and Ash, Inspired by LA Fires

Tanisha Cardozo

Miley Cyrus has announced a brand-new original song titled Dream As One, created especially for James Cameron’s upcoming sci-fi epic Avatar: Fire and Ash. The song will play over the film’s end credits and will be released as a single on November 14, ahead of the movie’s theatrical release in December.

Cyrus revealed the song through a short social media teaser, sharing that it was inspired by the devastating wildfires that swept across Los Angeles earlier this year. “Honored to support Avatar: Fire and Ash with an original song I’ve written with Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt,” she wrote in her announcement. “Having been personally affected by fire and being rebuilt from the ashes, this project holds profound meaning for me. Thank you, Jim, for the opportunity to turn that experience into musical medicine.”

Dream As One marks a collaboration between Cyrus, award-winning producers Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, and composer Simon Franglen, who is also scoring the film. According to Cyrus, the song’s message of unity, love, and healing deeply connects with the emotional themes of Avatar: Fire and Ash. “To be even a small star in the universe the Avatar family has created is truly a dream come true,” she added.

The release continues Cyrus’s streak of cinematic music moments — following her contribution to The Last Showgirl soundtrack last year with the song Beautiful That Way. Earlier this year, she also released her ninth studio album, Something Beautiful, accompanied by a visual film project.

The upcoming Avatar: Fire and Ash will see the return of Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña as Jake and Neytiri, as they face loss and encounter a new Na’vi tribe led by Varang, played by Oona Chaplin. The tribe’s uneasy alliance with antagonist Quaritch, portrayed by Stephen Lang, promises new conflict and emotional depth. James Cameron has confirmed that this third installment will be the longest in the franchise so far.

While Dream As One debuts on November 14, the full Avatar: Fire and Ash soundtrack — composed by Simon Franglen — will release on December 12. The film hits UK cinemas on December 19, continuing the cinematic journey through Pandora’s breathtaking world, now with Miley Cyrus’s voice echoing through its closing moments.

Films

‘Second Chance’: Subhadra Mahajan’s Poetic Portrayal of Healing, Womanhood, and the Himalayas

Tanisha Cardozo

Second Chance is an evocative and quietly powerful cinematic work by Subhadra Mahajan that blends themes of feminine healing, personal resilience, and environmental awareness in a narrative grounded in the raw beauty of the Himalayas. The film, shot entirely in black and white, takes viewers into the soul of a young woman navigating her inner trauma while immersed in the majestic yet fragile ecosystem of Himachal Pradesh.

The story revolves around Nia, played by Dheera Johnson, who retreats to her family’s summer home after facing her first significant emotional trauma. As she isolates herself in the quietude of the mountains, time, nature, and unexpected local friendships guide her toward inner healing. The slow, deliberate pace of the film reflects Nia’s own relationship with time and grief, allowing the audience to truly live the experience alongside her. The film does not rush—because healing does not.

What sets Second Chance apart is not only its emotionally intelligent storytelling but also its stylistic choices. Cinematographer Swapnil Sonawane’s decision to present the film in monochrome elevates the visual impact. Even without color, the landscapes of Himachal Pradesh breathe with life, mood, and metaphor. From forests to highlands, the visuals offer a grounding presence, anchoring the protagonist’s emotional evolution.

Subhadra’s decision to cast non-actors adds an organic authenticity to the film. The locals, with their natural speech and subtle gestures, become part of the narrative’s emotional fabric. Their presence doesn’t feel staged—it feels lived. These characters, many playing versions of themselves, create a community that gently supports Nia’s journey, reminding the viewer that healing often arrives in the form of small, unspoken acts.

The music, composed by Quan Bay, plays a crucial role in deepening the film’s emotional undertone. It drifts in and out like memory, never overwhelming the silence that carries so much weight in the story. Dance sequences are used with care and symbolism, not merely as performance but as extensions of the protagonist’s emotional state—moments when words no longer suffice.

The film, presented by the Entertainment Society of Goa’s Cinephile Film Club and hosted by Sachin Chatte, received a warm and thoughtful response from the audience. During the post-screening interaction, viewers expressed admiration for the film’s sensitivity and its honest portrayal of mental health, womanhood, and climate change without sensationalism. Many hoped the Himachal Pradesh government would support the film, given how genuinely it showcases the region’s culture and ecological reality.

Second Chance premiered at the prestigious Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and has since traveled globally to festivals including Busan, Hamburg, Sao Paulo, Adelaide, and Belfast. Its universal themes of personal growth and the delicate relationship between humans and nature have resonated with audiences worldwide.

This film is not just a story; it’s a visual meditation on second chances—for women, for nature, and for anyone who has ever sought to begin again.