For the very first time, IFFLA is making a section of its 2021 lineup available to audiences in India, with the India Pass. For the price of Rs. 150 ($2), the India Pass will offer access to 24 films from this year's lineup, including 6 features and 18 shorts. Most expenses associated with this pass are being underwritten by an anonymous donor.
Highlights from the India Pass selection include the Malayalam feature “Biriyaani“, with a powerhouse performance by Kani Kusruti; the poignant Rotterdam selected documentary “A Rifle and a Bag“; and the impressive debut feature “Aise Hee” (Just Like That).
Of note this year is a special program curated by the legendary Uma da Cunha, “Childhood on Edge”, with characters on the verge of the momentous transformation from childhood to adulthood. This program includes three diverse features (“Bridge“, “The Tenant“, and “Vanaja“) and one short, “Kanya“.
From the shorts in the India Pass, highlights include the riveting National Award winning “Custody“; the Nagaland-set period drama “Angh“, which won a prize at Clermont-Ferrand 2021; the bold and mysterious “Catdog“, which won the Grand Prix at Cannes' Cinefondation; the Student Academy Award winner and Oscar-shortlisted film “Bittu” by IFFLA alum Karishma Dube; the Gujarati film “Anita“, featuring a memorable performance by Aditi Vasudev; the dystopian animated masterwork “Wade“, winner at the Annecy Film Festival; the Rotterdam selected “Letter From Your Far-Off Country“, whose potent exploration of history, memory and oppression is more relevant than ever; “Annual Day“, a striking student debut from the Satyajit Ray Film Institute; the enchanting “The Song We Sang“, a love story between two young women in the streets of Ahmedabad during the Navratri festival; and “For Each Other“, the latest film by Rima Das.
In addition to the films and their corresponding Q&As with the filmmakers, the India Pass will also give audiences in India access to two panels: an engaging conversation among successful industry executives navigating the world of film and television development both in the US and in India; and a dynamic discussion among trans, non-binary and gender nonconforming creators about the authentic representation of transgender and gender nonconforming stories on the screen.
All screenings will become available for viewing starting May 20th at 8:00am IST and through May 27th at 11:59pm IST.
