Toronto International Film Festival announced the lineup for its Centerpiece program on Tuesday, spotlighting 55 total films from nearly 50 countries. “Blue Moon” from director Richard Linklater, a collaboration between the U.S. and Ireland, will have its North American premiere in the largely international section of the festival.
Of the 55 films screening in the Centerpiece program, 51 represent countries outside of the U.S. Some are collaborations with the U.S., while most are entirely international productions. Likewise, only six films are sole productions of Canada, with one co-production between Canada and Hungary.
18 of the films present in the section will have their world premieres at TIFF. These include “Good Boy,” starring Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough; Samara Weaving and Kyle Gallner “Carolina Caroline,” from director Adam Carter Rehmeier, who previously made “Dinner in America” and “Snack Shack”; and “Wasteman,” the debut feature from Cal McMau starring David Jonsson from “Alien: Romulus” and “Industry.
Of the 55 films screening in the Centerpiece program, 51 represent countries outside of the U.S. Some are collaborations with the U.S., while most are entirely international productions. Likewise, only six films are sole productions of Canada, with one co-production between Canada and Hungary.
18 of the films present in the section will have their world premieres at TIFF. These include “Good Boy,” starring Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough; Samara Weaving and Kyle Gallner “Carolina Caroline,” from director Adam Carter Rehmeier, who previously made “Dinner in America” and “Snack Shack”; and “Wasteman,” the debut feature from Cal McMau starring David Jonsson from “Alien: Romulus” and “Industry.
- 8/5/2025
- by Casey Loving
- The Wrap
Metrograph Pictures is “pausing any further theatrical releases” to focus on its core businesses, a spokesperson confirmed to Screen after it was announced that former executive David Laub has joined Neon.
Laub arrived as head of Metrograph Pictures in early 2004 at a time when the company led by CEO Christian Grass was looking to grow its prestige theatrical operation and distribute up to 10 “robustly supported” releases a year.
He acquired and released such films as India Donaldson’s Good One, Cannes selection Santosh, and Venice prize-winner April by Dea Kulumbegashvilli.
However in June, fledgling distributor 1-2 Special acquired US rights...
Laub arrived as head of Metrograph Pictures in early 2004 at a time when the company led by CEO Christian Grass was looking to grow its prestige theatrical operation and distribute up to 10 “robustly supported” releases a year.
He acquired and released such films as India Donaldson’s Good One, Cannes selection Santosh, and Venice prize-winner April by Dea Kulumbegashvilli.
However in June, fledgling distributor 1-2 Special acquired US rights...
- 7/24/2025
- ScreenDaily
Neon has brought on former head of Metrograph Pictures David Laub as SVP of marketing and publicity.
Laub will work closely with Neon’s president of global cinema Ryan Werner, whose own hire was announced during Cannes.
At Metrograph, Laub acquired and released such films as India Donaldson’s Good One,Sandhya Suri’s Cannes selection Santosh, and Venice prize-winner April by Dea Kulumbegashvilli.
His departure raises questions about Metrograph’s status. Metrograph had not responded for a comment at time of writing.
Prior to that he served more than eight years at A24 working in marketing, publicity, acquisitions, and exhibition.
Laub will work closely with Neon’s president of global cinema Ryan Werner, whose own hire was announced during Cannes.
At Metrograph, Laub acquired and released such films as India Donaldson’s Good One,Sandhya Suri’s Cannes selection Santosh, and Venice prize-winner April by Dea Kulumbegashvilli.
His departure raises questions about Metrograph’s status. Metrograph had not responded for a comment at time of writing.
Prior to that he served more than eight years at A24 working in marketing, publicity, acquisitions, and exhibition.
- 7/24/2025
- ScreenDaily
David Laub has joined Neon as Senior Vice President of Marking and Publicity, where he will work closely with Ryan Werner, Neon’s new President of Global Cinema. In this newly created role Laub “will bring his years of experience in marketing, publicity, and awards to Neon’s growing slate,” according to the official release.
Before Neon, Laub served as Head of Metrograph Pictures from February 2024 through July 2025, during which time he acquired and released films like “Good One,” which played Sundance; “Santosh,” a Cannes selection, and “April,” a Venice prize-winner. Before that, he spent nine years at A24, where he worke din all aspects of film distribution including marketing, publicity, acquisitions, and exhibition.
During his time at A24, he oversaw a slate that included “Aftersun,” “First Cow,” “First Reformed” and Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir” and “The Souvenir: Part II.” He also worked on the campaigns of “Everything Everywhere All At Once...
Before Neon, Laub served as Head of Metrograph Pictures from February 2024 through July 2025, during which time he acquired and released films like “Good One,” which played Sundance; “Santosh,” a Cannes selection, and “April,” a Venice prize-winner. Before that, he spent nine years at A24, where he worke din all aspects of film distribution including marketing, publicity, acquisitions, and exhibition.
During his time at A24, he oversaw a slate that included “Aftersun,” “First Cow,” “First Reformed” and Joanna Hogg’s “The Souvenir” and “The Souvenir: Part II.” He also worked on the campaigns of “Everything Everywhere All At Once...
- 7/24/2025
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
David Laub has joined Neon as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Publicity.
Laub, who served as Head of Metrograph Pictures from February 2024 through July 2025, will work closely with Ryan Werner, Neon’s new President of Global Cinema, further strengthening the studio’s position as a champion of bold, auteur-driven filmmaking. In this newly created role, Laub will bring his years of experience in marketing, publicity, and awards to Neon’s growing slate.
During his time at Metrograph, Laub acquired and released such films as India Donaldson’s highly acclaimed feature debut “Good One,” which played both Sundance and Cannes and was on over 100 year-end top ten lists; Cannes selection “Santosh,” which was on the shortlist for this year’s International Oscar award; and the highly lauded Venice prize-winner “April,” by Dea Kulumbegashvilli.
Laub spent almost 9 years at film and television studio A24, where he worked in all aspects of film distribution including marketing,...
Laub, who served as Head of Metrograph Pictures from February 2024 through July 2025, will work closely with Ryan Werner, Neon’s new President of Global Cinema, further strengthening the studio’s position as a champion of bold, auteur-driven filmmaking. In this newly created role, Laub will bring his years of experience in marketing, publicity, and awards to Neon’s growing slate.
During his time at Metrograph, Laub acquired and released such films as India Donaldson’s highly acclaimed feature debut “Good One,” which played both Sundance and Cannes and was on over 100 year-end top ten lists; Cannes selection “Santosh,” which was on the shortlist for this year’s International Oscar award; and the highly lauded Venice prize-winner “April,” by Dea Kulumbegashvilli.
Laub spent almost 9 years at film and television studio A24, where he worked in all aspects of film distribution including marketing,...
- 7/24/2025
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
David Laub, the former head of Metrograph Pictures, is joining Neon as SVP Marketing and Publicity, a newly created position in which the exec will focus on marketing, publicity and awards.
Laub will work closely with Ryan Werner, Neon’s new President of Global Cinema.
Laub had been head of Metrograph Pictures since February 2024. During his run, he acquired and released such films as India Donaldson’s feature debut Good One, which played both Sundance and Cannes and was on more than 100 year-end top 10 lists; Cannes selection Santosh, which was on the shortlist for this year’s International Feature Oscar; and the lauded Venice prize-winner April by Dea Kulumbegashvilli.
Laub previously had spent close to nine years at A24, where he worked in all aspects of film distribution including marketing, publicity, acquisitions and exhibition. He oversaw a slate of films for the company that included Charlotte Wells’ Oscar nominee Aftersun,...
Laub will work closely with Ryan Werner, Neon’s new President of Global Cinema.
Laub had been head of Metrograph Pictures since February 2024. During his run, he acquired and released such films as India Donaldson’s feature debut Good One, which played both Sundance and Cannes and was on more than 100 year-end top 10 lists; Cannes selection Santosh, which was on the shortlist for this year’s International Feature Oscar; and the lauded Venice prize-winner April by Dea Kulumbegashvilli.
Laub previously had spent close to nine years at A24, where he worked in all aspects of film distribution including marketing, publicity, acquisitions and exhibition. He oversaw a slate of films for the company that included Charlotte Wells’ Oscar nominee Aftersun,...
- 7/24/2025
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Busan International Film Festival (Biff) has revealed 30 titles selected for the 2025 Asian Project Market (Apm), including upcoming features produced by Indian star Alia Bhatt, All We Imagine As Light director Payal Kapadia and Twilight Of The Warriors filmmaker Soi Cheang.
The co-production and financing market, which runs as part of Biff’s Asian Contents and Film Market (Acfm), is set to take place from September 20-23 in Busan, South Korea. This year’s Apm received a record-breaking 455 submissions from 44 countries.
Scroll down for full list of projects
The selection spans a broad range of themes, including social inequality, family love,...
The co-production and financing market, which runs as part of Biff’s Asian Contents and Film Market (Acfm), is set to take place from September 20-23 in Busan, South Korea. This year’s Apm received a record-breaking 455 submissions from 44 countries.
Scroll down for full list of projects
The selection spans a broad range of themes, including social inequality, family love,...
- 7/21/2025
- ScreenDaily
India’s presence on the European film festival circuit has been relatively–and worryingly–muted, especially given the nation’s seismic, almost self-sustaining movie industry. It appeared as though this might finally begin to change in 2024 when Payal Kapadia’s masterfully tender “All We Imagine As Light” broke through the barrier of the Cannes competition after a 30-year drought and emerged as a major standout through the rest of the season (in addition to the support from “Santosh” in the Un Certain Regard section). But one calendar year later, and it appears as though we’re right back where we started; back in Cannes, one lone Indian film appears in a secondary sidebar, left adrift in a sea of Euro-American dominance.
At least this time, the film comes from a director with experience in this arena, as Neeraj Ghaywan’s debut “Masaan” was given the same Certain Regard treatment just...
At least this time, the film comes from a director with experience in this arena, as Neeraj Ghaywan’s debut “Masaan” was given the same Certain Regard treatment just...
- 5/26/2025
- by Julian Malandruccolo
- High on Films
Sandra Oh is set to star in “Child’s Play,” the newly-announced psychological thriller from director Wang Xiaoshuai, Variety can reveal.
Bankside Films have boarded the film — set to start production in September and to be filmed on location in Toronto and North Bay, Ontario — and will be introducing it to buyers in Cannes.
“Child’s Play” — billed as a “haunting psychological thriller about guilt and redemption” — is written by acclaimed Canadian playwright Hannah Moscovitch, whose play “Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes” is currently playing Off-Broadway starring Hugh Jackman, and based on Alice Munro’s short story of the same name.
The film follows Marlene Lee, the daughter of Chinese immigrant parents and who in 1983 attends an all-white summer camp for girls. In order to fit in and impress her new friend Charlene, Marlene crosses a line that will forever change her life. Some 41 years later in 2024 and have devoted herself to a successful political career,...
Bankside Films have boarded the film — set to start production in September and to be filmed on location in Toronto and North Bay, Ontario — and will be introducing it to buyers in Cannes.
“Child’s Play” — billed as a “haunting psychological thriller about guilt and redemption” — is written by acclaimed Canadian playwright Hannah Moscovitch, whose play “Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes” is currently playing Off-Broadway starring Hugh Jackman, and based on Alice Munro’s short story of the same name.
The film follows Marlene Lee, the daughter of Chinese immigrant parents and who in 1983 attends an all-white summer camp for girls. In order to fit in and impress her new friend Charlene, Marlene crosses a line that will forever change her life. Some 41 years later in 2024 and have devoted herself to a successful political career,...
- 5/12/2025
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
MK2 Films, which has six movies in competition at Cannes, will also be launching sales at the market on “The Revolution According to Kamo,” the next film by “Pieces of a Woman” director Kornél Mundruczó.
The film is penned by Paweł Pawlikovski, the Oscar-winning director of “Ida” and “Cold War, Ben Hopkins, and Kata Weber (“Pieces of a Woman”), from an idea by Pawlikovski. In the run up to Cannes, the project has also been boarded by French distribution company Le Pacte, as well as Arte.
“The Revolution According to Kamo” is set against the collapse of the Russian Empire, and revolves around the friendship between Simon Arshaki Ter-Petrosyan, the future Bolshevik revolutionary known as Kamo, and his childhood friend Soso, who became the dictator Stalin.
“In the shadows of a crumbling world, two boys form a bond that will change the course of history. As they come of age,...
The film is penned by Paweł Pawlikovski, the Oscar-winning director of “Ida” and “Cold War, Ben Hopkins, and Kata Weber (“Pieces of a Woman”), from an idea by Pawlikovski. In the run up to Cannes, the project has also been boarded by French distribution company Le Pacte, as well as Arte.
“The Revolution According to Kamo” is set against the collapse of the Russian Empire, and revolves around the friendship between Simon Arshaki Ter-Petrosyan, the future Bolshevik revolutionary known as Kamo, and his childhood friend Soso, who became the dictator Stalin.
“In the shadows of a crumbling world, two boys form a bond that will change the course of history. As they come of age,...
- 4/30/2025
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
Good Chaos, the U.K. production banner founded by industry veteran Mike Goodridge, has signed a first look deal with Searchlight Pictures.
The arrangement — which will see Searchlight develop and produce films alongside Good Chaos — comes during a period of success and growth for the London-based company, which last year saw two of its films shortlisted for the international feature Oscar in Baltasar Kormakur’s Icelandic romance drama “Touch” and Sandhya Suri’s India-set crime thriller “Santosh,” representing the U.K.
Coming up, the company heads to Cannes with Shih-Ching Tsou’s “Left Handed Girl” (co-written by recently crowned Oscar monopolizer and Tsou’s frequent collaborator Sean Baker) in the Critics’ Week sidebar. Beyond the festival, it’s adding another Oscar winner to its ranks with “Orphan,” the next film from “Son of Saul” director Laszlo Nemes and now in post.
In an entirely different direction genre-wise, Sony has just...
The arrangement — which will see Searchlight develop and produce films alongside Good Chaos — comes during a period of success and growth for the London-based company, which last year saw two of its films shortlisted for the international feature Oscar in Baltasar Kormakur’s Icelandic romance drama “Touch” and Sandhya Suri’s India-set crime thriller “Santosh,” representing the U.K.
Coming up, the company heads to Cannes with Shih-Ching Tsou’s “Left Handed Girl” (co-written by recently crowned Oscar monopolizer and Tsou’s frequent collaborator Sean Baker) in the Critics’ Week sidebar. Beyond the festival, it’s adding another Oscar winner to its ranks with “Orphan,” the next film from “Son of Saul” director Laszlo Nemes and now in post.
In an entirely different direction genre-wise, Sony has just...
- 4/30/2025
- by Alex Ritman
- Variety Film + TV
One of the best action war movies in recent memory is getting a sequel, and it's fast approaching. According to a new press release, "Sony Pictures’ Screen Gems will release Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions’ Stage 6 Films’ sequel to the critically acclaimed action film Sisu in U.S. theaters on November 21, 2025. The sequel is written and directed by visionary Finnish filmmaker Jalmari Helander. Jorma Tommila returns in the lead role, starring alongside Richard Brake and Stephen Lang. Petri Jokiranta produced the film through Subzero Film Entertainment, in association with Good Chaos and Mike Goodridge. Gregory Ouanhon and Antonio Salas are executive producers."
Filmmaker Jalmari Helander is quickly climbing his way to the top of the most exciting action movie directors. It all started with the surprise international hit, 2010's Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, which combined action, folk horror, and Christmas to create an unforgettable cult classic. He tried his hand...
Filmmaker Jalmari Helander is quickly climbing his way to the top of the most exciting action movie directors. It all started with the surprise international hit, 2010's Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale, which combined action, folk horror, and Christmas to create an unforgettable cult classic. He tried his hand...
- 4/26/2025
- by Matt Mahler
- MovieWeb
Sony Pictures’ Screen Gems will release Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions’ Stage 6 Films’ sequel to the critically acclaimed action film Sisu in U.S. theaters on November 21, 2025. Lionsgate released the original film in North American theaters in April 2023.
The sequel is written and directed by visionary Finnish filmmaker Jalmari Helander. Jorma Tommila returns in the lead role, starring alongside Richard Brake and Stephen Lang.
Photo courtesy of Lionsgate
Petri Jokiranta produced the film through Subzero Film Entertainment, in association with Good Chaos and Mike Goodridge. Gregory Ouanhon and Antonio Salas are the executive producers.
The film is backed by the Finnish Film Foundation, Film Estonia, Business Finland – Audiovisual Production Incentive, Film Tampere, Viru Film Fund, and BNP Paribas – Cofiloisirs – with the support of the Ifcic.
Photo courtesy of Lionsgate
Stage 6 Film’s SVP of creative development and production, Eric Charles, oversaw the film for the studio, which holds global rights to the film.
The sequel is written and directed by visionary Finnish filmmaker Jalmari Helander. Jorma Tommila returns in the lead role, starring alongside Richard Brake and Stephen Lang.
Photo courtesy of Lionsgate
Petri Jokiranta produced the film through Subzero Film Entertainment, in association with Good Chaos and Mike Goodridge. Gregory Ouanhon and Antonio Salas are the executive producers.
The film is backed by the Finnish Film Foundation, Film Estonia, Business Finland – Audiovisual Production Incentive, Film Tampere, Viru Film Fund, and BNP Paribas – Cofiloisirs – with the support of the Ifcic.
Photo courtesy of Lionsgate
Stage 6 Film’s SVP of creative development and production, Eric Charles, oversaw the film for the studio, which holds global rights to the film.
- 4/25/2025
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Here’s What Anurag Kashyap Said About The Censorship Issue Around Indian Films! (Photo Credit – Instagram)
Anurag Kashyap is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, and this time, the filmmaker is furious. On April 17, the director took to Instagram to vent his frustration over the censorship hurdles faced by several films, including 90, Punjab 95, Tees, Dhadak 2, and Phule.
Kashyap didn’t hold back as he wrote, “90 Punjab 95 Tees Dhadak 2, Phule I don’t know how many other films are blocked that exposes the agenda of this casteist, regionalist, racist government is blocked who is so ashamed to see there own face in the mirror. So ashamed that they can’t even openly talk about, what is it about the film that bothers them. F*ckin’ cowards.”
The filmmaker’s words echo the frustration of creators who find their work stuck in a loop of delays and silent censorship, primarily...
Anurag Kashyap is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, and this time, the filmmaker is furious. On April 17, the director took to Instagram to vent his frustration over the censorship hurdles faced by several films, including 90, Punjab 95, Tees, Dhadak 2, and Phule.
Kashyap didn’t hold back as he wrote, “90 Punjab 95 Tees Dhadak 2, Phule I don’t know how many other films are blocked that exposes the agenda of this casteist, regionalist, racist government is blocked who is so ashamed to see there own face in the mirror. So ashamed that they can’t even openly talk about, what is it about the film that bothers them. F*ckin’ cowards.”
The filmmaker’s words echo the frustration of creators who find their work stuck in a loop of delays and silent censorship, primarily...
- 4/17/2025
- by Rohan Verma
- KoiMoi
The Beijing International Film Festival has developed a reputation for putting a spotlight on female voices in cinema.
Its 15th edition, running April 18-26, is continuing that trend with its sixth annual “Women’s Voice” section, featuring the likes of Walter Salles’ Oscar winner I’m Still Here, the political autobiographical drama starring Fernanda Torres as a Brazilian woman whose dissident husband disappears, and Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, his depression comedy-drama with Marianne Jean-Baptiste.
“In recent years, female creators and their stories have continued to emerge, and the voices of women on screen have become more diverse and powerful,” the Beijing festival highlights. “These works continue to break boundaries in form and theme, bringing us richer and more multidimensional female expressions.”
This year’s lineup “brings together masters and emerging creators from all over the world” who “show the complex faces of women” in various situations. “This is not only a cinematic feast,...
Its 15th edition, running April 18-26, is continuing that trend with its sixth annual “Women’s Voice” section, featuring the likes of Walter Salles’ Oscar winner I’m Still Here, the political autobiographical drama starring Fernanda Torres as a Brazilian woman whose dissident husband disappears, and Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, his depression comedy-drama with Marianne Jean-Baptiste.
“In recent years, female creators and their stories have continued to emerge, and the voices of women on screen have become more diverse and powerful,” the Beijing festival highlights. “These works continue to break boundaries in form and theme, bringing us richer and more multidimensional female expressions.”
This year’s lineup “brings together masters and emerging creators from all over the world” who “show the complex faces of women” in various situations. “This is not only a cinematic feast,...
- 4/17/2025
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Strand Releasing has acquired North American rights to Rohan Parashuram Kanawade’s “Cactus Pears” which won the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. The Indian gay drama will play at New Directors/New Films this week.
The film was the first Marathi language film to premiere at Sundance and first Indian fiction film to win the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize for a Dramatic Film.
“Cactus Pears” follows Anand (Bhushaan Manoj), a young city dweller who returns to his family’s countryside home upon his father’s demise and must confront his family about being unmarried, there he finds solace with a farmer (Suraaj Suman) who shares his situation.
“We’re thrilled and proud to have ‘Cactus Pears,’ it’s a film with universal appeal, one that we thing will resonate here with audiences in North America,” said Marcus Hu of Strand Releasing.
The deal was done between Jon Gerrans of...
The film was the first Marathi language film to premiere at Sundance and first Indian fiction film to win the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize for a Dramatic Film.
“Cactus Pears” follows Anand (Bhushaan Manoj), a young city dweller who returns to his family’s countryside home upon his father’s demise and must confront his family about being unmarried, there he finds solace with a farmer (Suraaj Suman) who shares his situation.
“We’re thrilled and proud to have ‘Cactus Pears,’ it’s a film with universal appeal, one that we thing will resonate here with audiences in North America,” said Marcus Hu of Strand Releasing.
The deal was done between Jon Gerrans of...
- 4/3/2025
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
[Editor’s note: The following story contains some spoilers for “The White Lotus,” Season 3.]
If “The White Lotus” were an Indian production, it likely wouldn’t survive longer than a season.
Chances are its uninhibited critique of privilege, political satire, and wicked social commentary would be softened or edited out. A show created to spark uncomfortable conversations would get reduced to a travelogue driven by a romantic subplot (needless to say one not involving two brothers).
Hence, it came as no surprise when Indian audiences were deprived of the full experience while watching the new season on JioHotstar. In the opening scene of Season 3, Nicholas Duvernay’s character hurls expletives at a Buddha statue — encapsulating the character’s cultural ignorance while also foreshadowing how the retreat will be anything but peaceful for those seeking peace. The scene, however, was quietly censored, though keen-eyed (premium-paying) Indian viewers took note of the discrepancy, and social media exploded with disgruntled fans voicing their displeasure.
If “The White Lotus” were an Indian production, it likely wouldn’t survive longer than a season.
Chances are its uninhibited critique of privilege, political satire, and wicked social commentary would be softened or edited out. A show created to spark uncomfortable conversations would get reduced to a travelogue driven by a romantic subplot (needless to say one not involving two brothers).
Hence, it came as no surprise when Indian audiences were deprived of the full experience while watching the new season on JioHotstar. In the opening scene of Season 3, Nicholas Duvernay’s character hurls expletives at a Buddha statue — encapsulating the character’s cultural ignorance while also foreshadowing how the retreat will be anything but peaceful for those seeking peace. The scene, however, was quietly censored, though keen-eyed (premium-paying) Indian viewers took note of the discrepancy, and social media exploded with disgruntled fans voicing their displeasure.
- 4/2/2025
- by Viren Naidu
- Indiewire
A film which has been on the Directors Notes radar since we caught it at the London Film Festival last October, Sarah speaks to Sandhya Suri, writer/director of the BAFTA nominated/British Independent Film Awards winning crime thriller Santosh, about feeling compelled to step out of her documentary background for this gripping feature exploring the complexities between women in positions of power and dissecting the all too common violence inflicted on women.
[Read the full interview]
Links
The 9 Short Films Deserving of Top Billing on Your BFI Flare 2025 Watchlist
Onir’s ‘We Are Faheem & Karun’ Tells Kashmir’s First Queer Love Story
Head to Directors Notes for more filmmaker interviews and to watch our daily selection of new films. If you’d like your film featured on Dn, submit it here.
Find us at:
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Letterboxd
Bluesky
Sign up for the weekly Dn newsletter...
[Read the full interview]
Links
The 9 Short Films Deserving of Top Billing on Your BFI Flare 2025 Watchlist
Onir’s ‘We Are Faheem & Karun’ Tells Kashmir’s First Queer Love Story
Head to Directors Notes for more filmmaker interviews and to watch our daily selection of new films. If you’d like your film featured on Dn, submit it here.
Find us at:
YouTube
Letterboxd
Bluesky
Sign up for the weekly Dn newsletter...
- 3/23/2025
- by Sarah Smith
- Directors Notes
Disney’sSnow White is being ushered into 651 sites, the widest release at the UK-Ireland box office of the weekend.
Marc Webb directs the live-action musical re-imagining of Disney’s 1937Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs animation, which stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot.
The film has faced a series of controversies, including star Zegler’s criticism of the original film, debates regarding whether the portrayal of the dwarfs is appropriate for the modern day, a mixed critical reception, as well as Zegler and Gadot’s own politics. Although the press campaign has been muted, Disney hasn’t shied away from a wide roll-out.
Marc Webb directs the live-action musical re-imagining of Disney’s 1937Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs animation, which stars Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot.
The film has faced a series of controversies, including star Zegler’s criticism of the original film, debates regarding whether the portrayal of the dwarfs is appropriate for the modern day, a mixed critical reception, as well as Zegler and Gadot’s own politics. Although the press campaign has been muted, Disney hasn’t shied away from a wide roll-out.
- 3/21/2025
- ScreenDaily
Written and directed by award-winning British-Indian debut filmmaker, Sandhya Suri’s film, Santosh, starring Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar is all set to release in UK cinemas this Friday on 21st March 2025. Vertigo Releasing and Civic Studios distribute the critically acclaimed crime thriller.
Santosh delves into a mystery. When a government scheme sees newly widowed Santosh inherit her husband’s job as a police constable in the rural badlands of Northern India she is in for a shock. When a low-caste girl is murdered, Santosh is pulled into the investigation by charismatic feminist inspector Sharma what happens is a tale of transformation both bad and good, in this must see film.
In preparation for writing Santosh, Suri researched female police constables, learning of the government scheme of appointment on compassionate grounds’, meaning that eligible dependents of deceased police officers can inherit their jobs. Suri spoke to many widows, which provided...
Santosh delves into a mystery. When a government scheme sees newly widowed Santosh inherit her husband’s job as a police constable in the rural badlands of Northern India she is in for a shock. When a low-caste girl is murdered, Santosh is pulled into the investigation by charismatic feminist inspector Sharma what happens is a tale of transformation both bad and good, in this must see film.
In preparation for writing Santosh, Suri researched female police constables, learning of the government scheme of appointment on compassionate grounds’, meaning that eligible dependents of deceased police officers can inherit their jobs. Suri spoke to many widows, which provided...
- 3/19/2025
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
The 18th annual Asian Film Awards (Afa) announced the winners and special award recipients at a ceremony held at the West Kowloon Cultural District’s Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong on March 16, 2025. Sixteen competitive prizes and five honorary prizes were given out. The Afa ceremony featured a glamorous Red Carpet and Award Ceremony attracting participants from all over Asia, and was a great success. At this year’s Afa, the Hong Kong actor-director Sammo Hung served as the jury president leading other jury and voting members composed of filmmakers from around the world in selecting the winners. Daishi Matsunaga, along with fellow director Stanley Kwan, served as presenters.
Here are all the awards and nominees of this year’s edition
Best Film
All We Imagine as Light (India, France, Netherlands, Luxembourg)
Black Dog (Mainland China)
Exhuma (South Korea)
Teki Cometh (Japan)
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (Hong Kong)
Best...
Here are all the awards and nominees of this year’s edition
Best Film
All We Imagine as Light (India, France, Netherlands, Luxembourg)
Black Dog (Mainland China)
Exhuma (South Korea)
Teki Cometh (Japan)
Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In (Hong Kong)
Best...
- 3/17/2025
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light was named best film at 18th Asian Film Awards on Sunday evening (March 16).
The Indian filmmaker attended the ceremony in Hong Kong and accepted the award from filmmaker, martial arts star and Afa jury president Sammo Hung.
Scroll down for full list of winners
It marked nearly 10 months since Kapadia became the first Indian filmmaker to win the Grand Prix at Cannes, where the film was the first Indian feature to play in Competition at the festival for 30 years.
“I’m so happy that we could end our journey here in Hong Kong,...
The Indian filmmaker attended the ceremony in Hong Kong and accepted the award from filmmaker, martial arts star and Afa jury president Sammo Hung.
Scroll down for full list of winners
It marked nearly 10 months since Kapadia became the first Indian filmmaker to win the Grand Prix at Cannes, where the film was the first Indian feature to play in Competition at the festival for 30 years.
“I’m so happy that we could end our journey here in Hong Kong,...
- 3/16/2025
- ScreenDaily
All We Imagine As Light took home top honors at the 18th Asian Film Awards (Afa), winning the Best Film prize.
Held at the Grand Theatre at the Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong, this year’s Afa selection was overseen by legendary Hong Kong actor and Afa jury president Sammo Hung.
“It is a special thing to win this award in Hong Kong, which is also a special place for cinema,” said All We Imagine As Light director Payal Kapadia. “Filmmaking is so challenging. Every film that gets made is a prize. To find the financing and the right collaborators, to keep the vision intact, even distributing the movie — everything is a challenge. But doing it with a wonderful crew makes everything easier.”
Japanese filmmaker Daihachi Yoshida won Best Director for black-and-white absurdist comedy Teki Cometh.
Sean Lau won Best Actor for his role in Papa, directed by Philip Yung.
Held at the Grand Theatre at the Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong, this year’s Afa selection was overseen by legendary Hong Kong actor and Afa jury president Sammo Hung.
“It is a special thing to win this award in Hong Kong, which is also a special place for cinema,” said All We Imagine As Light director Payal Kapadia. “Filmmaking is so challenging. Every film that gets made is a prize. To find the financing and the right collaborators, to keep the vision intact, even distributing the movie — everything is a challenge. But doing it with a wonderful crew makes everything easier.”
Japanese filmmaker Daihachi Yoshida won Best Director for black-and-white absurdist comedy Teki Cometh.
Sean Lau won Best Actor for his role in Papa, directed by Philip Yung.
- 3/16/2025
- by Sara Merican
- Deadline Film + TV
The 18th Asian Film Awards recognized achievements in regional cinema on Sunday, with Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine as Light winning Best Film. The ceremony, held at the Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong, brought together filmmakers from across Asia to celebrate accomplishments in directing, acting, and technical contributions.
Kapadia’s drama, which previously earned the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, marked a milestone for Indian cinema, a country that has often been nominated at the AFAs without securing major wins. On stage, Kapadia credited her lead actors for shaping the film’s impact. “Thank you so much to my lead actors—three incredible artists and human beings. They are the ones who made this film what it is,” she said.
The Best Director award went to Japan’s Yoshida Daihachi for Teki Cometh, a character study that premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival before...
Kapadia’s drama, which previously earned the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival, marked a milestone for Indian cinema, a country that has often been nominated at the AFAs without securing major wins. On stage, Kapadia credited her lead actors for shaping the film’s impact. “Thank you so much to my lead actors—three incredible artists and human beings. They are the ones who made this film what it is,” she said.
The Best Director award went to Japan’s Yoshida Daihachi for Teki Cometh, a character study that premiered at the Tokyo International Film Festival before...
- 3/16/2025
- by Naser Nahandian
- Gazettely
Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s poignant drama All We Imagine as Light went home with the best picture prize Sunday night at the 18th Asian Film Awards. It was the film’s final stop on a ten-month festival and awards season journey that began last May when it won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival.
“Thank you so much to my lead actors — three incredible artists and human beings. They are the ones who made this film what it is,” Kapadia said from the stage inside Hong Kong’s gleaming Xiqu Centre, where the ceremony was held. “I’m so happy that we could end our journey here in Hong Kong, a city that has meant a lot to me, watching the amazing films from this city over the years.”
Legendary Hong Kong filmmaker and martial arts star Sammo Hung served as president of the jury that selected the winners of the 2025 AFAs,...
“Thank you so much to my lead actors — three incredible artists and human beings. They are the ones who made this film what it is,” Kapadia said from the stage inside Hong Kong’s gleaming Xiqu Centre, where the ceremony was held. “I’m so happy that we could end our journey here in Hong Kong, a city that has meant a lot to me, watching the amazing films from this city over the years.”
Legendary Hong Kong filmmaker and martial arts star Sammo Hung served as president of the jury that selected the winners of the 2025 AFAs,...
- 3/16/2025
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Payal Kapadia’s Indian co-production “All We Imagine as Light” won best film at the 18th Asian Film Awards in Hong Kong, capping a remarkable journey that began with a Grand Prix win at Cannes last year.
Yoshida Daihachi won best director for “Teki Cometh,” while Sean Lau won best actor for “Papa” and Shahana Goswami best actress for “Santosh.” Sandhya Suri won best new director for “Santosh,” capping a strong year for Indian co-productions at the awards, where the country has been a bridesmaid in recent years.
Honors were evenly spread otherwise, with “Exhuma,” “Stranger Eyes” and “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” all collecting a brace of awards each.
Proceedings kicked off with a performance featuring the composer of the film that is the toast of Asia at the moment – “Ne Zha 2,” Chu Wan Pin, alongside Jonathan Wong.
During the awards, Dr. Wilfred Wong, chair of the Asian Film Awards Academy,...
Yoshida Daihachi won best director for “Teki Cometh,” while Sean Lau won best actor for “Papa” and Shahana Goswami best actress for “Santosh.” Sandhya Suri won best new director for “Santosh,” capping a strong year for Indian co-productions at the awards, where the country has been a bridesmaid in recent years.
Honors were evenly spread otherwise, with “Exhuma,” “Stranger Eyes” and “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” all collecting a brace of awards each.
Proceedings kicked off with a performance featuring the composer of the film that is the toast of Asia at the moment – “Ne Zha 2,” Chu Wan Pin, alongside Jonathan Wong.
During the awards, Dr. Wilfred Wong, chair of the Asian Film Awards Academy,...
- 3/16/2025
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
“Filmmakers keep making films for the big screen. Long live independent film.”
Sean Baker’s impassioned, post-Oscar win speech for “Anora” was a rallying cry to make the theater-going experience for independent films as accessible as it is for studio blockbusters such as “Oppenheimer” or “Avengers.” His plea, however, has no takers in India — even after a historic win.
Now that “Anora” has won Best Picture, cinephiles in India would naturally expect the movie to (finally) hit theatres, leveraging the post-Oscars surge. However, an eager audience will have to settle for watching the film on a streaming platform (JioHotstar) on March 17 instead. “Anora” was originally scheduled for a theatrical release in India on November 8, 2024, but it quietly disappeared from ticket booking websites and promotional tweets were deleted without explanation. Post Oscar-win, pvrcinemas_official (the largest film exhibitor in India) posted Sean Baker’s speech on Instagram with the caption “The...
Sean Baker’s impassioned, post-Oscar win speech for “Anora” was a rallying cry to make the theater-going experience for independent films as accessible as it is for studio blockbusters such as “Oppenheimer” or “Avengers.” His plea, however, has no takers in India — even after a historic win.
Now that “Anora” has won Best Picture, cinephiles in India would naturally expect the movie to (finally) hit theatres, leveraging the post-Oscars surge. However, an eager audience will have to settle for watching the film on a streaming platform (JioHotstar) on March 17 instead. “Anora” was originally scheduled for a theatrical release in India on November 8, 2024, but it quietly disappeared from ticket booking websites and promotional tweets were deleted without explanation. Post Oscar-win, pvrcinemas_official (the largest film exhibitor in India) posted Sean Baker’s speech on Instagram with the caption “The...
- 3/8/2025
- by Viren Naidu
- Indiewire
As Germany shifts to the right, will its movies and TV series become less diverse?
After making major strides to promote diversity in film and TV productions in recent years, the German film industry could now be facing a setback in this effort. The country, which is home to the Berlin Film Festival and European conglomerates such as Rtl Group, recently passed a film funding law that removed a clause requiring all local productions to meet specific diversity, gender equality and inclusion criteria.
The German parliament — before being dissolved in December — ushered in a watered-down version of the country’s planned new film law that will create a more centralized funding system for production, distribution and exhibition. In the rush to get this crucial piece of legislation passed, German Culture Minister Claudia Roth “had to make some compromises in order to get the majority in parliament to vote for it,...
After making major strides to promote diversity in film and TV productions in recent years, the German film industry could now be facing a setback in this effort. The country, which is home to the Berlin Film Festival and European conglomerates such as Rtl Group, recently passed a film funding law that removed a clause requiring all local productions to meet specific diversity, gender equality and inclusion criteria.
The German parliament — before being dissolved in December — ushered in a watered-down version of the country’s planned new film law that will create a more centralized funding system for production, distribution and exhibition. In the rush to get this crucial piece of legislation passed, German Culture Minister Claudia Roth “had to make some compromises in order to get the majority in parliament to vote for it,...
- 2/21/2025
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
The critically acclaimed crime thriller, Santosh, written and directed by award-winning British-Indian filmmaker, Sandhya Suri, will be releasing in UK cinemas on 21st March 2025, distributed by Vertigo Releasing and Civic Studios.
Starring Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar; and produced by Mike Goodridge (Love is Strange), James Bowsher (The Night), Balthazar de Ganay (The Summer House) and Alan McAlex (Masaan), the film has garnered unanimous international plaudit, with 14 award nominations and seven wins including a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer; British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) win for Best Screenplay; and recognition by the National Board of Review within the Top 10 Independent Films of the Year. The film also earned a nomination at Cannes Film Festival 2024 in the Un Certain Regard category; was nominated for the Sutherland Award for Best Film Feature at BFI London Film Festival; and was the UK’s official submission for...
Starring Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar; and produced by Mike Goodridge (Love is Strange), James Bowsher (The Night), Balthazar de Ganay (The Summer House) and Alan McAlex (Masaan), the film has garnered unanimous international plaudit, with 14 award nominations and seven wins including a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director Or Producer; British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) win for Best Screenplay; and recognition by the National Board of Review within the Top 10 Independent Films of the Year. The film also earned a nomination at Cannes Film Festival 2024 in the Un Certain Regard category; was nominated for the Sutherland Award for Best Film Feature at BFI London Film Festival; and was the UK’s official submission for...
- 2/18/2025
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
The 2025 BAFTAs are here!
The annual celebration of film is taking place Sunday (February 16) at Royal Festival Hall in London, England. Doctor Who actor David Tennant is hosting for the second year in a row.
This year, Conclave scored the most nominations with 12 total. Emilia Pérez is in second place, with 11 nominations this year.
Just Jared will be live updating with all the winners throughout the event, so stay tuned!
Keep reading to find out more…
See the full list of nominees and winners…
Best Film
“Anora” — Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, Sean Baker
“The Brutalist”
“A Complete Unknown”
“Conclave” - Winner!
“Emilia Pérez”
Outstanding British Film
“Bird” — Andrea Arnold, Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Lee Groombridge
“Blitz” — Steve McQueen, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Anita Overland
“Conclave” — Edward Berger, Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Michael A. Jackman, Peter Straughan - Winner!
“Gladiator II” — Ridley Scott, Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, Michael Pruss, David Scarpa,...
The annual celebration of film is taking place Sunday (February 16) at Royal Festival Hall in London, England. Doctor Who actor David Tennant is hosting for the second year in a row.
This year, Conclave scored the most nominations with 12 total. Emilia Pérez is in second place, with 11 nominations this year.
Just Jared will be live updating with all the winners throughout the event, so stay tuned!
Keep reading to find out more…
See the full list of nominees and winners…
Best Film
“Anora” — Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, Sean Baker
“The Brutalist”
“A Complete Unknown”
“Conclave” - Winner!
“Emilia Pérez”
Outstanding British Film
“Bird” — Andrea Arnold, Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Lee Groombridge
“Blitz” — Steve McQueen, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Anita Overland
“Conclave” — Edward Berger, Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Michael A. Jackman, Peter Straughan - Winner!
“Gladiator II” — Ridley Scott, Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, Michael Pruss, David Scarpa,...
- 2/16/2025
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
“Conclave” won Best Film at the 2025 EE BAFTA Film Awards, leading the pack with four BAFTAs overall. The British equivalent of the Oscars took place February 16 from the Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall in central London, honoring the best in film for its 78th annual edition.
Edward Berger’s “Conclave” led all films with 12 BAFTA nominations, and it won Best Film, Outstanding British Film, Best Adapted Screenplay for Peter Straughan, and Best Editing. It’s an upset after “Anora” swept all three of the DGAs, PGAs, and WGAs. The last film to win those three prizes, but not Best Picture at the Oscars was “Brokeback Mountain,” but then again, it did win the BAFTA for Best Film.
“Anora” did have a strong showing though, with Mikey Madison pulling off an upset and winning Leading Actress over Demi Moore for “The Substance.” “Anora” also won Best Casting, though Madison lost...
Edward Berger’s “Conclave” led all films with 12 BAFTA nominations, and it won Best Film, Outstanding British Film, Best Adapted Screenplay for Peter Straughan, and Best Editing. It’s an upset after “Anora” swept all three of the DGAs, PGAs, and WGAs. The last film to win those three prizes, but not Best Picture at the Oscars was “Brokeback Mountain,” but then again, it did win the BAFTA for Best Film.
“Anora” did have a strong showing though, with Mikey Madison pulling off an upset and winning Leading Actress over Demi Moore for “The Substance.” “Anora” also won Best Casting, though Madison lost...
- 2/16/2025
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Paris-based production company Haut et Court and London-based Good Chaos have officially secured the film rights to ‘Paris-Hollywood,’ the debut novel by writer and critic Cécile Mury. The two companies plan to bring the novel to the big screen as a feature film, blending the romantic charm of both French and English-language romantic comedies.
The novel follows the love story between a French journalist and an English-speaking movie star, exploring themes of romance, cultural differences, and self-discovery. Given its unique take on love and relationships, the book has already gained significant attention in the literary world.
Mike Goodridge, CEO of Good Chaos, expressed his excitement about the adaptation, calling ‘Paris-Hollywood’ “a charming and winning read” that intelligently examines “the nature of love and the limits we put on ourselves before falling in love.” He added, “We are thrilled to collaborate with our friends at Haut et Court to create a classic European rom-com.
The novel follows the love story between a French journalist and an English-speaking movie star, exploring themes of romance, cultural differences, and self-discovery. Given its unique take on love and relationships, the book has already gained significant attention in the literary world.
Mike Goodridge, CEO of Good Chaos, expressed his excitement about the adaptation, calling ‘Paris-Hollywood’ “a charming and winning read” that intelligently examines “the nature of love and the limits we put on ourselves before falling in love.” He added, “We are thrilled to collaborate with our friends at Haut et Court to create a classic European rom-com.
- 2/10/2025
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
Paris-based Haut et Court and London-based Good Chaos have partnered to acquire the film rights to Paris-Hollywood, the debut novel from writer and critic Cécile Mury.
The novel is the story of a French journalist and an English-speaking movie star. The two companies have said they plan to adapt the novel into a feature film, with the aim of “blending the sensibilities of both Franco and Anglo rom-coms.”
“Paris-Hollywood is not only a charming and winning read, but it also digs intelligently into the nature of love and the limits we put on ourselves before falling in love,” Mike Goodridge, CEO of Good Chaos, said in a statement. “We are so excited to be building this movie with our dear friends at Haut et Court and make a classic European romcom.”
Paris-Hollywood was one of the buzzier titles at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, where it was picked up...
The novel is the story of a French journalist and an English-speaking movie star. The two companies have said they plan to adapt the novel into a feature film, with the aim of “blending the sensibilities of both Franco and Anglo rom-coms.”
“Paris-Hollywood is not only a charming and winning read, but it also digs intelligently into the nature of love and the limits we put on ourselves before falling in love,” Mike Goodridge, CEO of Good Chaos, said in a statement. “We are so excited to be building this movie with our dear friends at Haut et Court and make a classic European romcom.”
Paris-Hollywood was one of the buzzier titles at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, where it was picked up...
- 2/10/2025
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
Justin Lin is no stranger to making movies built around spectacle. After all, he directed more Fast & Furious movies than any director working today before stepping away from the franchise (twice). He returns to something much smaller scale after his “Fast X” exit with “Last Days,” a narrative feature based on the true story of American missionary John Allen Chau, who visited and was killed by the isolated Indigenous Sentinelese people on their island off the coast of India after he tried to convert them. While this project seems like it could provide a fresh start for Lin and a return to his roots — he launched his career at Sundance with the indie drama “Better Luck Tomorrow” — it ultimately falls flat.
Unfortunately, instead of using the opportunity to offer up a nuanced, more incisive portrait of the man beyond the headlines, “Last Days” is a film that is so contrived,...
Unfortunately, instead of using the opportunity to offer up a nuanced, more incisive portrait of the man beyond the headlines, “Last Days” is a film that is so contrived,...
- 1/30/2025
- by Chase Hutchinson
- The Wrap
The BAFTA-nominated, Oscar-shortlisted thriller Santosh, which has earned a perfect 100% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes is currently playing in New York and Los Angeles. Now, more U.S. audiences will get to see the acclaimed film when it is released in cinemas in numerous major cities this Friday, January 31st.
Directed by Sandhya Suri, the drama features brilliant performances by Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar in the dark and intense film.
Ripped from her life of domesticity, Santosh, a young widow now desperate to support herself, accepts an opportunity to inherit her husband’s job as a police officer in the rural badlands of India. Quickly taken under the wing of Sharma, a charismatic and commanding older female inspector, Santosh begins an investigation into a low-caste girl’s brutal murder that plunges her into a gritty world of crime and corruption, forcing her to confront not only the brokenness of...
Directed by Sandhya Suri, the drama features brilliant performances by Shahana Goswami and Sunita Rajwar in the dark and intense film.
Ripped from her life of domesticity, Santosh, a young widow now desperate to support herself, accepts an opportunity to inherit her husband’s job as a police officer in the rural badlands of India. Quickly taken under the wing of Sharma, a charismatic and commanding older female inspector, Santosh begins an investigation into a low-caste girl’s brutal murder that plunges her into a gritty world of crime and corruption, forcing her to confront not only the brokenness of...
- 1/28/2025
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Paris-based sales outfit MPM Premium has acquired international rights to “Cactus Pears” (Sabar Bonda), the feature directorial debut from India’s Rohan Parashuram Kanawade, ahead of its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, where it is in the world cinema dramatic competition.
The Marathi-language film follows Anand (Bhushaan Manoj), a 30-something city dweller compelled to spend a 10-day mourning period for his father in the rugged countryside of western India, where he tenderly bonds with a local farmer Balya (Suraaj Suman) struggling to stay unmarried.
The genesis of the film came from Kanawade’s personal experience. “My father passed away in 2016 and before that, almost for a decade, I was avoiding going to my village because everyone there was constantly talking about marriage,” Kanawade told Variety. “When my dad passed away, my mother decided that we should go to the village so that all the relatives who live there can come and meet us,...
The Marathi-language film follows Anand (Bhushaan Manoj), a 30-something city dweller compelled to spend a 10-day mourning period for his father in the rugged countryside of western India, where he tenderly bonds with a local farmer Balya (Suraaj Suman) struggling to stay unmarried.
The genesis of the film came from Kanawade’s personal experience. “My father passed away in 2016 and before that, almost for a decade, I was avoiding going to my village because everyone there was constantly talking about marriage,” Kanawade told Variety. “When my dad passed away, my mother decided that we should go to the village so that all the relatives who live there can come and meet us,...
- 1/25/2025
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
As expected, Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez (Netflix) landed a Best International Feature Film Oscar nomination today, one of a leading, and record-setting 13 overall for a film not in English. Other mentions for the audacious musical melodrama include Best Picture, Director, Actress and more.
With so many inclusions elsewhere, it’s possible that votes are split and Emilia Pérez does not convert to a win in the International race with folks opting to honor another deserving picture. But, if it does win, it would be the first time that a selection from France scores an Academy Award in the International category since Régis Wargnier’s Indochine in 1993.
The other titles in the International Oscar field doing crossover duty include Walter Salles’ lauded and so-called “comeback” movie, I’m Still Here from Brazil where it has done terrific box office for Sony. The movie also scored a Best Picture nomination as well...
With so many inclusions elsewhere, it’s possible that votes are split and Emilia Pérez does not convert to a win in the International race with folks opting to honor another deserving picture. But, if it does win, it would be the first time that a selection from France scores an Academy Award in the International category since Régis Wargnier’s Indochine in 1993.
The other titles in the International Oscar field doing crossover duty include Walter Salles’ lauded and so-called “comeback” movie, I’m Still Here from Brazil where it has done terrific box office for Sony. The movie also scored a Best Picture nomination as well...
- 1/23/2025
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: This year’s Manchester Film Festival is set to run from March 14 – 23 and will open with a screening of The Penguin Lessons, directed by British filmmaker Peter Cattaneo and starring Steve Coogan.
Based on the best-selling memoir, the film tells the story of an Englishman’s personal and political awakening during a cataclysmic period in Argentine history, brought about by his unlikely adoption of a penguin.
Manchester will screen 37 features, including 15 UK premieres and 4 world premieres. All films will be screening in Manchester for the first time. This includes the Manchester premiere of the UK’s Oscar selection Santosh from Sandhya Suri, Sundance, and Cannes hit Good One directed by India Donaldson, and South by Southwest Audience Award Winner My Dead Friend Zoe from Kyle Hausmann-Stokes.
Other highlights include the UK premieres of Y2K, A24’s latest horror comedy starring Fred Durst and directed by Kyle Mooney, the...
Based on the best-selling memoir, the film tells the story of an Englishman’s personal and political awakening during a cataclysmic period in Argentine history, brought about by his unlikely adoption of a penguin.
Manchester will screen 37 features, including 15 UK premieres and 4 world premieres. All films will be screening in Manchester for the first time. This includes the Manchester premiere of the UK’s Oscar selection Santosh from Sandhya Suri, Sundance, and Cannes hit Good One directed by India Donaldson, and South by Southwest Audience Award Winner My Dead Friend Zoe from Kyle Hausmann-Stokes.
Other highlights include the UK premieres of Y2K, A24’s latest horror comedy starring Fred Durst and directed by Kyle Mooney, the...
- 1/23/2025
- by Zac Ntim
- Deadline Film + TV
The critically acclaimed crime thriller Santosh has now earned a BAFTA nomination for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. Written and directed by Sandhya Suri, the award-winning film is also on the Oscar shortlist for Best International Feature Film.
Speaking about the new BAFTA nomination, Suri said “This is a wonderful honour. Making Santosh has been a long journey, a good decade of plodding, researching, refining and getting ready to make what is quite an ambitious fiction debut in the middle of India, prepping in the peak of summer. The entire team was so deeply committed, they really eased the path for me. After a great reception at Cannes it means a lot to bring Santosh home and have this recognition in the UK. I really hope this nod from Bafta will help drive audiences to come out and see the film when it is released here [UK] in March.
Speaking about the new BAFTA nomination, Suri said “This is a wonderful honour. Making Santosh has been a long journey, a good decade of plodding, researching, refining and getting ready to make what is quite an ambitious fiction debut in the middle of India, prepping in the peak of summer. The entire team was so deeply committed, they really eased the path for me. After a great reception at Cannes it means a lot to bring Santosh home and have this recognition in the UK. I really hope this nod from Bafta will help drive audiences to come out and see the film when it is released here [UK] in March.
- 1/16/2025
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
The Indian theatrical release of “Santosh,” which landed on the Oscars’ international feature shortlist, has been delayed due to an unexpected holdup at India’s Central Board of Film Certification (Cbfc).
The film, which was directed by Sandhya Suri and was the U.K. entry to the Oscars’ international feature category, was acquired by PVR Inox Pictures in December.
Currently on release in Los Angeles, the movie follows Santosh, a widow who inherits her deceased husband’s position as a police constable in rural north India. The narrative centers on her involvement in investigating the murder of an underage girl from a marginalized caste community, alongside a feminist police inspector named Sharma.
The Jan. 10 release was suspended after the film failed to receive certification clearance, despite having previously secured script approval to shoot in India and Indian government production incentives. The production team is currently awaiting detailed feedback regarding the Cbfc’s concerns.
The film, which was directed by Sandhya Suri and was the U.K. entry to the Oscars’ international feature category, was acquired by PVR Inox Pictures in December.
Currently on release in Los Angeles, the movie follows Santosh, a widow who inherits her deceased husband’s position as a police constable in rural north India. The narrative centers on her involvement in investigating the murder of an underage girl from a marginalized caste community, alongside a feminist police inspector named Sharma.
The Jan. 10 release was suspended after the film failed to receive certification clearance, despite having previously secured script approval to shoot in India and Indian government production incentives. The production team is currently awaiting detailed feedback regarding the Cbfc’s concerns.
- 1/16/2025
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Bollywood Mascot: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has announced the nominations for the 2025 awards, with Indian filmmaker Payal Kapadia’s All We Imagine As Light earning a nod in the category of Best Film Not in the English Language. This recognition highlights the film’s international acclaim and the growing appreciation for Indian cinema on the global stage.
Indian Express Other Notable Nominations
In addition to All We Imagine As Light, the BAFTA 2025 nominations feature several other films and talents:
Best Film Not in the English Language: Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Kneecap, and The Seed of the Sacred Fig are also nominated in this category. Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer: Santosh by Sandhya Suri, an Indian filmmaker based in the UK, is nominated, reflecting the diverse storytelling emerging from British cinema. Best Film: Conclave leads with 12 nominations, followed by Emilia...
Indian Express Other Notable Nominations
In addition to All We Imagine As Light, the BAFTA 2025 nominations feature several other films and talents:
Best Film Not in the English Language: Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Kneecap, and The Seed of the Sacred Fig are also nominated in this category. Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director, or Producer: Santosh by Sandhya Suri, an Indian filmmaker based in the UK, is nominated, reflecting the diverse storytelling emerging from British cinema. Best Film: Conclave leads with 12 nominations, followed by Emilia...
- 1/16/2025
- by Gaurav Prabhakar
- Bollywood Mascot
Bafta has unveiled the nominations for its 2025 Film Awards, which will take place in London on Sunday, February 16.
Below are the lists of feature film nominationsby distributor, and for each film.
Nominations by distributor
Universal Pictures & Focus Features – 32
The Brutalist – 9
Anora – 7
Wicked – 7
Nosferatu – 5
The Wild Robot - 3
Monkey Man - 1
Netflix – 16
Emilia Perez - 11
Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl – 3
Daughters – 1
Will & Harper – 1
Black Bear – 15
Conclave – 12
Sing Sing – 3
Disney - 10
A Complete Unknown – 6
A Real Pain – 2
Inside Out 2 - 1
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – 1
Curzon Artificial Eye – 8
Kneecap – 6
Flow – 2
Warner Bros - 8
Dune: Part Two – 7
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story...
Below are the lists of feature film nominationsby distributor, and for each film.
Nominations by distributor
Universal Pictures & Focus Features – 32
The Brutalist – 9
Anora – 7
Wicked – 7
Nosferatu – 5
The Wild Robot - 3
Monkey Man - 1
Netflix – 16
Emilia Perez - 11
Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl – 3
Daughters – 1
Will & Harper – 1
Black Bear – 15
Conclave – 12
Sing Sing – 3
Disney - 10
A Complete Unknown – 6
A Real Pain – 2
Inside Out 2 - 1
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – 1
Curzon Artificial Eye – 8
Kneecap – 6
Flow – 2
Warner Bros - 8
Dune: Part Two – 7
Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story...
- 1/15/2025
- ScreenDaily
The nominations for the 2025 BAFTAs are here!
This year, Conclave scored the most nominations with 12 total. Emilia Pérez is in second with 11 nominations this year.
This year’s ceremony is set to take place on Sunday (February 16) live from London, England with Doctor Who‘s David Tennant returning to host.
Just Jared will be live updating throughout the event, so stay tuned!
Keep reading to find out more…
Scroll down for the full list of nominees…
Best Film
“Anora” — Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, Sean Baker
“The Brutalist”
“A Complete Unknown”
“Conclave”
“Emilia Pérez”
Outstanding British Film
“Bird” — Andrea Arnold, Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Lee Groombridge
“Blitz” — Steve McQueen, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Anita Overland
“Conclave” — Edward Berger, Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Michael A. Jackman, Peter Straughan
“Gladiator II” — Ridley Scott, Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, Michael Pruss, David Scarpa, Peter Craig
“Hard Truths” — Mike Leigh, Georgina Lowe
“Kneecap” — Rich Peppiatt, Trevor Birney,...
This year, Conclave scored the most nominations with 12 total. Emilia Pérez is in second with 11 nominations this year.
This year’s ceremony is set to take place on Sunday (February 16) live from London, England with Doctor Who‘s David Tennant returning to host.
Just Jared will be live updating throughout the event, so stay tuned!
Keep reading to find out more…
Scroll down for the full list of nominees…
Best Film
“Anora” — Alex Coco, Samantha Quan, Sean Baker
“The Brutalist”
“A Complete Unknown”
“Conclave”
“Emilia Pérez”
Outstanding British Film
“Bird” — Andrea Arnold, Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Lee Groombridge
“Blitz” — Steve McQueen, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Anita Overland
“Conclave” — Edward Berger, Tessa Ross, Juliette Howell, Michael A. Jackman, Peter Straughan
“Gladiator II” — Ridley Scott, Douglas Wick, Lucy Fisher, Michael Pruss, David Scarpa, Peter Craig
“Hard Truths” — Mike Leigh, Georgina Lowe
“Kneecap” — Rich Peppiatt, Trevor Birney,...
- 1/15/2025
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
The 2025 Ee BAFTA Film Awards nominations are in, with 42 films receiving nods on Wednesday morning. Leading the crop of nominees are “Conclave” with 12, “Emilia Pérez” with 11, and “The Brutalist” with nine. “Anora,” “Dune: Part Two,” and “Wicked” all received seven nominations, even though “Wicked” was shut out from the Best Film category. Ireland’s Oscar entry “Kneecap,” which is on the Academy shortlist, made a strong showing with six nominations. Same with “A Complete Unknown.” “Nosferatu” and “The Substance,” meanwhile, both earned five nominations.
Shut-outs and also-rans included “Challengers,” which received zero nominations; Denzel Washington from the Best Supporting Actor category for his work in “Gladiator II”; Nicole Kidman, out for her work in “Babygirl”; and Daniel Craig, the English actor snubbed for his work in “Queer.” “Sing Sing” did well with three nominations including for Best Actor Colman Domingo and Best Supporting Actor Clarence Maclin. Selena Gomez is in for “Emilia Pérez,...
Shut-outs and also-rans included “Challengers,” which received zero nominations; Denzel Washington from the Best Supporting Actor category for his work in “Gladiator II”; Nicole Kidman, out for her work in “Babygirl”; and Daniel Craig, the English actor snubbed for his work in “Queer.” “Sing Sing” did well with three nominations including for Best Actor Colman Domingo and Best Supporting Actor Clarence Maclin. Selena Gomez is in for “Emilia Pérez,...
- 1/15/2025
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Earning a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes is a feat few filmmakers have achieved. Indeed, many of the most acclaimed films of all time have nevertheless failed to impress at least one certified critic on the website. Therefore, in the rare event that a film does earn a perfect score, it is worth exploring how it managed to win over every critic on Rotten Tomatoes that saw it. One such film is Santosh (2024), a new thriller directed by Sandhya Suri. The film, which centers on a widowed woman who takes her late husband's place on the local police force, is the U.K.'s submission for Best International Feature at the upcoming Academy Awards. So far, all 39 critics on Rotten Tomatoes are pretty much unanimous in their praise of both the film's technical elements and its uncompromising themes of sexism, police corruption, and caste discrimination in India.
'Santosh' Is...
'Santosh' Is...
- 1/15/2025
- by Andrew Tomei
- MovieWeb
While not one of the most popular of the crime drama genre, the rookie police formula is one that's been explored to largely gripping success, the most iconic being the Denzel Washington-led Training Day. However, while Antoine Fuqua's 2001 hit is certainly a thrilling ride, the rookie police movies that always stand out to me are the ones that aim to say something about law enforcement, good or bad, with their story, and Sandhya Suri's Santoshproves to be the perfect vehicle.
Newly widowed Santosh Saini inherits her late husband's position as a police constable in rural Northern India. Under the mentorship of Inspector Sharma, she investigates the murder of a low-caste girl, confronting systemic corruption and societal prejudices.
Release Date December 27, 2024Rating RRuntime 128 MinutesGenres Drama, Thriller, CrimeCast Prashant Kumar, Shashi Beniwal, Sanjay Bishnoi, Naval Shukla, Shahana Goswami, Sunita RajwarDirector Sandhya SuriWriters Sandhya SuriDistributor(s) Metrograph Pictures
The movie centers the titular Santosh Saini,...
Newly widowed Santosh Saini inherits her late husband's position as a police constable in rural Northern India. Under the mentorship of Inspector Sharma, she investigates the murder of a low-caste girl, confronting systemic corruption and societal prejudices.
Release Date December 27, 2024Rating RRuntime 128 MinutesGenres Drama, Thriller, CrimeCast Prashant Kumar, Shashi Beniwal, Sanjay Bishnoi, Naval Shukla, Shahana Goswami, Sunita RajwarDirector Sandhya SuriWriters Sandhya SuriDistributor(s) Metrograph Pictures
The movie centers the titular Santosh Saini,...
- 1/10/2025
- by Grant Hermanns
- ScreenRant
Martial arts legend Sammo Hung has been tapped as jury president for the 18th Asian Film Awards, while South Korean supernatural thriller “Exhuma” and Hong Kong action pic “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” dominate the nominations.
South Korean supernatural thriller “Exhuma,” helmed by director Jang Jae-hyun and marking the return of veteran actor Choi Min-sik, leads with 11 nods including best film, director, actor and actress. The film weaves elements of feng shui and traditional shamanism in its story of an ominous grave investigation.
Hong Kong action film “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” follows with nine nominations. Based on Yuyi’s “City of Darkness” novel and set in the 1980s Kowloon Walled City, the film is competing for best film, supporting actor and multiple technical awards.
Soi Cheang’s Hong Kong action film “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” follows with nine nominations. Based on Yuyi’s “City of Darkness...
South Korean supernatural thriller “Exhuma,” helmed by director Jang Jae-hyun and marking the return of veteran actor Choi Min-sik, leads with 11 nods including best film, director, actor and actress. The film weaves elements of feng shui and traditional shamanism in its story of an ominous grave investigation.
Hong Kong action film “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” follows with nine nominations. Based on Yuyi’s “City of Darkness” novel and set in the 1980s Kowloon Walled City, the film is competing for best film, supporting actor and multiple technical awards.
Soi Cheang’s Hong Kong action film “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In” follows with nine nominations. Based on Yuyi’s “City of Darkness...
- 1/10/2025
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
During a recent Zoom conversation about “Santosh,” the Oscar-shortlisted international feature, director Sandhya Suri was seated comfortably in a large, nest-like wicker chair that was bolted into the ceiling in her London apartment.
“Oh, I love this seat,” she said. “I only have this one chair in this room, and when I invite friends over, we all want to be in this spot. My daughter reads in here, as well. It’s my happy place.”
The serenity of Suri’s calmly floating chair stands in contrast to “Santosh,” her phenomenal, noir-soaked feature directorial debut that follows a female police officer (Shahana Goswami) investigating the murder of a lower-caste girl in Northern India. The film uses its procedural format to mine deeper as a cultural character study.
“Santosh” is the Oscar submission from the United Kingdom, the country which won the Best International Film award with “The Zone of Interest” 11 months ago.
“Oh, I love this seat,” she said. “I only have this one chair in this room, and when I invite friends over, we all want to be in this spot. My daughter reads in here, as well. It’s my happy place.”
The serenity of Suri’s calmly floating chair stands in contrast to “Santosh,” her phenomenal, noir-soaked feature directorial debut that follows a female police officer (Shahana Goswami) investigating the murder of a lower-caste girl in Northern India. The film uses its procedural format to mine deeper as a cultural character study.
“Santosh” is the Oscar submission from the United Kingdom, the country which won the Best International Film award with “The Zone of Interest” 11 months ago.
- 1/9/2025
- by Joe McGovern
- The Wrap
Oscar 2025 : The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced changes to the timeline for the Oscar 2025 nomination voting process due to the devastating wildfires in Southern California. Originally scheduled to end on January 12, the voting period has now been extended to January 14. Consequently, the announcement of nominations, which was planned for January 17, has been postponed to January 19.
Academy Expresses Sympathy for Affected Communities
In an email sent to its 10,000 members, Academy CEO Bill Kramer expressed solidarity with those affected by the wildfires, particularly acknowledging the challenges faced by members residing and working in the Los Angeles region.
The email stated:
“We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the wildfires in Southern California. Many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area.”
Postponed Events in Los Angeles
The wildfires have also disrupted key events related to the Oscars:
The International Feature Shortlist Screening,...
Academy Expresses Sympathy for Affected Communities
In an email sent to its 10,000 members, Academy CEO Bill Kramer expressed solidarity with those affected by the wildfires, particularly acknowledging the challenges faced by members residing and working in the Los Angeles region.
The email stated:
“We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by the wildfires in Southern California. Many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area.”
Postponed Events in Los Angeles
The wildfires have also disrupted key events related to the Oscars:
The International Feature Shortlist Screening,...
- 1/9/2025
- by Pankaj Sharma
- Filmy Pandit
Is Suriya & Bobby Deol’s Kanguva Among Indian Films Sparking Oscars Buzz This Year? (Photo Credit – Instagram)
The 2024 pan-Indian epic fantasy Kanguva, directed by Siva and starring Suriya, Bobby Deol, and Disha Patani, was surrounded by immense hype before its theatrical release. The makers had ambitious expectations of achieving ₹2000 crore at the box office, but the film ultimately turned out to be a massive flop.
However, in an interesting turn of events, the Siva-directed film has now emerged as a contender for the 2025 Oscars. According to Hindustan Times, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed that 323 films have been selected for the 97th Academy Awards, with 207 of them eligible for the Best Picture category.
Six of these films are from India: Kanguva (Tamil), Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life (Malayalam), Santosh (Hindi), All We Imagine as Light, and Girls Will Be Girls.
Trending Jr Ntr’s Ntrneel: Will Tovino...
The 2024 pan-Indian epic fantasy Kanguva, directed by Siva and starring Suriya, Bobby Deol, and Disha Patani, was surrounded by immense hype before its theatrical release. The makers had ambitious expectations of achieving ₹2000 crore at the box office, but the film ultimately turned out to be a massive flop.
However, in an interesting turn of events, the Siva-directed film has now emerged as a contender for the 2025 Oscars. According to Hindustan Times, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has revealed that 323 films have been selected for the 97th Academy Awards, with 207 of them eligible for the Best Picture category.
Six of these films are from India: Kanguva (Tamil), Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life (Malayalam), Santosh (Hindi), All We Imagine as Light, and Girls Will Be Girls.
Trending Jr Ntr’s Ntrneel: Will Tovino...
- 1/7/2025
- by Hari P N
- KoiMoi
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