Due to strict measures during lockdown, Rizwan, a migrant worker, takes shelter at the home of an upcoming Islamophobic politician. But things soon take a dark turn. Back to Festival Program Texas Premiere Mangsho (The Meat) India I 19 mins I Drama I 2020 I Bengali w/ English subtitles Rizwan, a migrant worker has walked back all the way to his hometown from Delhi due to the nationwide lockdown as the coronavirus hit India. Out of job and belonging from the religious minority, he feels cornered. His wife Fatima works as a domestic help to bring food to the plate. Due to strict measures from the police, Rizwan hides his religious identity and takes shelter for the day at the home of Sahadev, an upcoming Islamophobic politician. But things soon take a dark turn. Shot during the COVID-19 pandemic, the film is presented mainly through video-call footage. + Screens with SHORTS PROGRAM 3: In Your Head VIRTUAL PREMIERE : SAT. APRIL 17 - 12PM (noon) CT GET YOUR FESTIVAL BADGE About the Artist A Berlinale Talents 2021 alum, Tathagata Ghosh has always believed in telling stories of people from different backgrounds. He completed his B.Sc in Mass Communication and Videography at St. Xavier's College, Kolkata and his post-graduation at Vancouver Film School in Writing for Film and Television. Tathagata has written for various magazines about cinema and film-making. His Bengali detective novel, Senilar Sonket, was published in the 40th Kolkata International Book Fair in Feb 2016. He has also directed numerous commercials & music videos and written screenplays for several projects. His last short films MISS MAN and "DOITTO (THE DEMON) have travelled to prestigious int'l film festivals like BFI Flare, Out on Film, Tallgrass Film Festival, Cheries-Cheris, Wicked Queer, International Documentary and the Short Film Festival of Kerala to name a few and have won several awards. Trailer Thank you to our community partner(s) for this screening: the Austin Film Society, and the Austin Film Commission! Credits Crew Writer/Director: TATHAGATA GHOSH Producer(s): TATHAGATA GHOSH DOP: TATHAGATA GHOSH Editor: RAJDEEP MUKHERJEE Cast: BIMAL GIRI PAYEL RAKSHIT GAUTAM SIDDHARTHA GHOSH SOUMYA MAJUMDAR Sound : DEBANJAN MAJHI Poster & Logo: ARIJIT CHOTTOPADHYAY

Announcing the official Jury & Audience Choice award winners of the 2023 Indie Meme Film Festival. 2023 Jury & Audience Awards Indie Meme is proud to announce the winners of our 2023 Jury & Audience Choice Awards. Read more about our esteemed jury of artists, filmmakers, academics, and leaders here: Meet the Jury Jury Award: Narrative Feature Until tomorrow JURY STATEMENT: As a part of the jury, we watched a total of nine films in about a week to narrow down our selections slowly. We carefully considered the judging criteria and discussed each film as a team along the way, highlighting what we loved about a film and where we got lost. From nine, we selected six. From six, we narrowed it down to three. All of the nine narrative features were thought-provoking films that educated us about different situations, happenings, and cultu res of countries in South Asia. We want to congratulate all the participants' films. Each film is a journey worth taking . Until Tomorrow : While this film acknowledges the political crisis of a nation, the human drama is what pulls the heartstrings. There is cruelty in the world. However, there is also kindness and compassion. "Until Tomorrow" is a wild ride that has you rooting for the young mother to do the right thing. Jury Award: Documentary Feature while we watched JURY STATEMENT The jury has recognized 'While We Watched' as a film that effectively champions a powerful narrative about the cost of unchecked yellow journalism, jingoism and religious bigotry in the media. The inner workings of the dramatic news room offers valuable insights into the dangers of factual reporting in a world where disinformation is rampant. It was thought provoking, and delivered a message with the potential to stay with viewers long after watching. In the face of so much vitriol, the brave journalist Ravish Kumar held on to his job and integrity, when so many choose to leave- instead of fighting. Special Jury Award I N SEARCH OF BENGALI HARL EM Jury Award: Short Film WHEELS ON THE BUS JURY STATEMENT This film is a breathtaking celebration of the artistry and craftsmanship of filmmaking. From its stunning cinematography to outstanding performances, this film truly embodies the spirit of what it means to be a great short film. Director Surya Shahi masterfully guides us from ladder to ladder, leading us all the way to the top to the abode of snow and gods. This film is more than just a breathtaking visual experience. It's a poignant metaphor for the caste system in Nepal and how progress can be made when we strip away the barriers of discrimination attached to religion. This film reminds us that we can all move forward together when we melt these barriers into the wheels of progress. We would like to congratulate the entire cast and crew of “Wheels on the bus” for their outstanding work, and may they continue to inspire and captivate audiences with their artistry in the future. . Runne rs Up : LORI MURDER TONGUE Audience Award: Narrative Feature EIKHOIGI YUM (OUR HOME) In a very close audience award competition, the Manipuri language film, EIKHOIGI YUM, topped the list as the audience's favorite narrative feature with its tale of a young boy surmounting every obstacle to get an education. Picturesque and set amidst a government conflict and threat of displacement, the film captured audiences' hearts. It was closely followed by the poignant film GOLDFISH, a drama set in the UK about an aging mother and her estranged daughter. Runner- Up: GOLDFISH Audience Award: Documentary Feature IN SEARCH OF BENGALI HARLEM This film follows Ullah from New York streets to Bangladeshi villages as he uncovers the pasts of his father and mother. In doing so, he discovers a lost history - in which South Asian Muslims, African Americans, and Puerto Ricans forged an extraordinary multiracial community in the tenements of mid- 20th century Harlem. The audience laughed, learnt and cried with directors Alauddin Ullah and Vivek Bald as they painted an extraordinary portrait of the not-so-distant past. Audience Award: Short Film SWIPE This short animated feature is a confrontation of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, extrajudicial violence, and decreasing space for difference and expression. Created by Lahore based Puffball Studios, the short resonated with audience members.

The film deals with the complex idea of how technology takes over life. A layered idea executed with disarming simplicity. Life 14mins / Short Narrative/ India SYNOPSIS Filmmaker – Srinjay Thakur The film deals with the complex idea of how technology takes over life. A layered idea executed with disarming simplicity. Chhattisgarhi & Hindi with English Subtitles Tickets TICKETS NOT AVAILABLE TRAILER

A woman living alone in Mumbai goes through the COVID-19 lockdown in her apartment. She is an actor surviving in isolation with only one companion, her Aloe Vera plant name Trivedi Ji (Mr. Trivedi) The film was directed by celebrated actor, Rajesh Tailang, who created it in socially distanced collaboration. Back to Festival Program U.S. Premiere Trivedi Ji India I 15 mins I Drama I 2021 I Hindi w/ English subtitles A woman living alone in Mumbai goes through the COVID-19 lockdown in her apartment. She is an actor surviving in isolation with only one companion, her Aloe Vera plant name Trivedi Ji (Mr. Trivedi) The film was directed by celebrated actor, Rajesh Tailang, who created it in socially distanced collaboration with actress Vartika Tiwari. Tiwari's instagram posts about her real life experience in lockdown inspired the film, which she shot and stars in from her apartment. Tailing and Tiwari developed a basic story, but approached the film with an improvisational mindset as they explored loneliness, self-companionship, and our relations with nature and our surroundings. + Screens with SHORTS PROGRAM 1: In Lockdown GET YOUR FESTIVAL BADGE VIRTUAL SCREENING : SAT. APRIL 17 - 12PM (Noon) CT About the Artist Rajesh Tailang is an Indian actor, writer, poet, and filmmaker best known to international audiences for his role in SIDDHARTH, for which he garnered a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Actor. He has appeared in a wide array of films, including UMRIKA, AMAL, PHANTOM, & THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL. He also had supporting roles in Netflix Originals SELECTION DAY and DELHI CRIME along with Amazon Prime Original MIRZAPUR. He has directed several shorts amidst his acting career and hopes to direct at least one feature someday. Trailer Thank you to our community partner(s) for this screening: the Austin Film Society, and the Austin Film Commission! Credits Crew Writer/Director: RAJESH TAILING Screenwriter(s): VARTIKA TIWARI RAJESH TAILANG Cinematography: VARTIKA TIWARI Editor: RAJESH TAILING Original Music: JOELL MUKHERJI CHINMAYI TRIPATHI IBN-E-INSHA Cast: VARTIKA TIWARI TRIVEDI JI Sound Design: SANDY SINGH Mastering: ARUN VERMA Poster: UMEISH THORAT Foley: RISHAV SINHA Sub-titles: PRIYANKA YADAV Color & Composite : AMAR RAO TAILANG

Plan your visit to Austin for the 11th Annual Indie Meme Film Festival, taking place April 22-26, 2026 at the Austin Film Society Cinema. BOOK YOUR STAY IMFF 2026 The 11th Indie Meme Film Festival comes to Austin in-person from April 22 - 26, 2026 and is held at the Austin Film Society Cinema . We have partnered with Lone Star Court to offer discounted rates exclusively for IMFF 2026 attendees. Lone Star Court is just 15 minutes from the festival venue, AFS Cinema. We encourage you to book your room early to guarantee availability and make the most of this fantastic offer. Rates are subject to availability. BOOK HERE ATTEND FILMS SCHEDULE

The story behind the clothes - Shimu, 23, works in a clothing factory in Dhaka. Faced with difficult conditions at work, she starts a union with her co-workers. Despite threats from the management and disapproval of her husband, Shimu is determined to go on. Made in Bangladesh Denmark, France, Bangladesh, Portugal | Fiction | Drama | 2019 |95 min| Bangla; English subtitles Virtual Screening: Friday, October 30th 2020 | Screening : 7.00pm - 8.45pm Post Screening Q&A at 8.45pm Zoom Q&A with Film-maker Rubaiyat Hossain Register Now Shimu, 23, works in a clothing factory in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Faced with difficult conditions at work, she decides to start a union with her co-workers. Despite threats from the management and disapproval of her husband, Shimu is determined to go on. Together the women must fight and find a way. Made in Bangladesh had its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the artistic director of TIFF Cameron Bailey mentioned the main character of the film as "She is the Norma Rae we need now". Writing for Cinema Scope, Dana Reinoos described the film as "a vision of feminist solidarity in the face of overwhelming opposition" while Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter called it "an earnest if sometimes schematic portrait of social rebellion' and wrote that it "definitely deserves wider attention." The film won the Premio Interfedi Award at the Torino Film Festival , the Audience Award at the African Diaspora Film Festival , and the Norwegian Peace Film Award at the Tromsø International Film Festival . (sourced from Wikipedia) DIRECTOR'S PROFILE Rubaiyat Hossain Rubaiyat Hossain is a Bangladeshi film director, writer and producer. She is notable for the films Meherjaan (2011), Under Construction (2015) and Made in Bangladesh (2019). Inspired by the works of Satyajit Ray , Hossain pursued her interest in cinema and completed a diploma in film direction at New York Film Academy in 2002. She has also completed a B. A. in women studies from Smith College , and an M. A. in South Asian studies from the University of Pennsylvania and M. A. in Cinema Studies from Tisch School of the Arts at New York University in the United States. Her primary fields of interest are Sufism , Bengali nationalism, formation of Bengali modernity and its correlation with female sexuality. (sourced from Wikipedia) TRAILER IN COLLABORATION WITH Community Partner Sponsor Media Partner STILLS 1/3

The film follows three comic-dramatic stories set in Mumbai. Top of Page Tickets Top of Page Tickets Island City SYNOPSIS The film follows three comic-dramatic stories set in Mumbai. The first one is about a middle-aged man who wins the office ‘Fun Committee Award’, which entitles him to a whole day full of fun. He is most reluctant to leave the safety of his cubicle but he has to. Prescribed fun modules have to be completed and non-compliance is not an option… The second story begins with a domineering pater familias, Anil, who is on life support. Seeking some relief, his family decides to buy a TV, which Anil had banned; now every night the family plugs into a popular soap whose hero is a man ideal in every way… The third one centers on Aarti whose repetitive existence is slowly making her more and more mechanical and numb. Deep inside ferments a disconnect and unease that she is unable to articulate to anyone. Then one day there arrives a most intimate letter and everything changes. SUNDAY Dec 4th 2017 @ Southwest Theater, Austin TX Follow event on Facebook Interested in screening this in your hometown? Write to us TICKETS NOT AVAILABLE Tickets TRAILER STILLS DIRECTOR'S PROFILE RUCHIKA OBEROI Ruchika Oberoi is an English Literature graduate from the Delhi University and an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune. ‘Island City’ is her debut feature film. The script of ‘Island City’ participated in the NFDC Screenwriters’ Lab 2012, which was held in Venice alongside the Venice Film Festival, 2012 and Goa, alongside the Film Bazaar. DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT Mumbai starts affecting you from the moment you set foot here and I did so many years ago as a single, young, impressionable woman. Many moons and bitter-sweet experiences later, certain observations and interactions with different quarters stayed with me and I was keen to string them together to see if I could create an impression of these times of transition. I chose three that offered me opportunity for some lightness as well as drama. There was the brush with certain slightly humourless upper caste people, known for their correctness, frugality and Brahminical purity, and I thought about doing something that disturbed their stoic sense of morality in a quirky sort of way. In my couple of years spent in living in a slum rehabilitation colony, travelling up to five hours daily to reach work and back, hearing the stories of my working class neighbours; I got a glimpse of and wanted to weave a story around a heartless system that crushes the most vulnerable. And then there was this emergence of a new kind of parallel world and work culture that sucked all the fun out of life only to try to reintroduce it in a corporatized, regimented fashion. Mixed up in all of these were snatches of brainwashed terrorists, largerthan-life soap operas, mall culture, technological boost and romance. Control, the loss of agency and the heroism of resistance, however insignificant or futile… at some level each of the three stories connect with these themes. Shifting between absurd, comic and tragic, they allowed me to explore, in a light-hearted as well as deeply emotional way, several contradictions and take them into make-believe territory. from the natural more and more into the artificial… alienating, liberating, oppressive. And somewhere within all these themes, there also lurks the machine… CAST Vinay Pathak Suyash Chaturvedi Amruta Subhash Sarita Joshi Tannishtha Chatterjee Aarti Patel Chandan Roy Sanyal Jignesh Sameer Kochhar Purshottam Uttara Baokar Ajji Ashwin Mushran COO Anil Sharma Sana Amin Sheikh Vaidehi CREW Director Ruchika Oberoi Screenplay Ruchika Oberoi Cinematography Sylvester Fonseca Film Editor Hemanti Sarkar Sound Design Niraj Gera Music Sagar Desai Art Direction Krishnendu Chowdhury Costumes Anirban Haldar and Rajesh Kumar Casting Mansi Multani

THE PORTRAITS is a collection of six cinematic sketches that depict the various means by which fascist governments conspire to silence their own people. Back to Festival Program 1/1 Streaming April 28-May 1st, 2023 On Filmocracy THE PORTRAITS India I 91 mins I Drama I 2021 I Malayalam w/ English subtitles WATCH ONLINE 'Critic's Choice Award' - Rajasthan International Film Festival 2021 'Life Award' - Imagine India International Film Festival , Spain 2022 THE PORTRAITS is a collection of six cinematic sketches that depict the various means by which fascist governments conspire to silence their own people. From the state hunting down citizens for suspected Maoist links to suppression of the people 's struggles against ecocide, mechanization, and labour exploitation - the film investigates scenes of resistance and complacency. The film serves as a single canvas where all the different faces of state tyranny against its people come together, forming a collage that depicts the grotesque portrait of fascism. About the Artist A three time National Award winning filmmaker, Dr Biju (Dr. Bijukumar Damodaran) is considered one of the most important contemporary voices in Indian cinema. A true visionary who brings authentic Indian stories to international audiences. His first film SAIRA screened in the Cannes Film Festival's 'Cinema of the World' section in 2007. Since then, his 12+ subsequent films have screened at many world festivals and won numerous awards including the coveted 'Golden Goblet' Award for 'Best Artistic Achievement' at Shanghai Film Festival. Festivals that have selected his work include Cannes, Montreal, Shanghai, Telluride, Moscow, Cairo, Iran (Fajr), Eurasia Almaty, Jeonju, Tallinn, Oporto, JOGJA Indonesia, Dhaka, IFFK and IFFI. He has been invited as a member of the jury in many well-known festivals across the world including Iran, Russia, Indonesia and many Indian festivals like Pune, IFFK etc. He served on the jury for India’s National Film Awards in 2012 and India’s Oscar Selection Committee in 2015. Trailer Credits Crew Director: Dr. Biju Production Banner: Akshay Parija Productions Producer(s): Akshay Kumar Parija Cinematographer: Yedhu Radhakrishnan Film Editor: Davis Manuel Art Direction: Ajayan V Kattunkal Music by: Analia Lentini Sound Mix: Pramod Thomas Featured Cast: Prakash Bare Saheer Muhammed Rajeevan Velloor Sankar Ramakrishnan Krishnan Balakrishnan Shyam Reji Sajitha Madathil Uma. K.P Reshma Thomas Costumes: Aravind K.R Make-up: Pattanam Shah Sound Design: Smijithkumar P.B

The 2018 Indie Meme Film Festival is right around the corner! Get your tickets today! April 19-22nd. Quick links: Member Tickets Senior/Student Tickets Non-Member Badges/Tickets What does the All Inclusive Festival Badge include? All film Screenings over the 4 days Family & Friends Night on April 19th Opening & Closing night parties Red Carpet event Exclusive, invite-only "Meet the Maker" Mixer I bought the badge/band/ticket. What next? Badges and bands will be available for pick up at the IMFF Registration desk at the theater starting at 5:00 pm on April 19, 2018 If you purchase tickets to individual screenings, we will have your name on the list of attendees BADGES AND BANDS SO LD OUT!! T ickets for individual films still available (except for TURUP). PLEASE CHECK FINAL SCHEDULE FOR ALL INDIVIDUAL SCREENINGS HERE Problems loading the Ticket widget? Click here SCHEDULE FILMS ATTEND YOUTH SPONSORS ABOUT PRESS Presented by IndieMeme.org Follow event on Facebook

When a mowing man comes to cut down the grass in a field, he finds a girl is sleeping there - determined to protect the insects who call it home. U.S Premiere Back to Film Program Virtual Exclusive WATCH ONLINE: April 22-25th, 2022 Wade India I 11 mins I Thriller, Animated, Action I 2021 I No spoken dialogue BUY & WATCH ONLINE A climate change horror story. In a flooded, abandoned Kolkata, sea level rise has ravaged the city, which is still achingly recognisable with life teeming in the urban ruins. The Sundarbans forest, a massive mangrove ecosystem to the south, has been submerged too, forcing all sorts of creatures to move north and into Kolkata in the struggle to survive. Humans, many of them climate refugees, scavenge the city streets. One morning, a band of humans is attacked by wild tigers. As they flee, a blind child is left behind to face the crazed tiger. This film plays with the BEYOND THE END OF THE WORLD shorts program online. About the Artist A graduate from NID Ahmedabad, Upamanyu Bhattacharyya is an animator, filmmaker, comic artist, & illustrator. He co-directed the highly acclaimed short ,WADE, with Kalp Sanghvi. Asa founding partner of Ghost Animation, Kolkata, he has worked on a wide range of projects for clients including Google, Amazon, Doctors Without Borders, & Penguin. He also has substantial experience working with live action filmmakers, including acclaimed director Mani Ratnam ‘and Academy Award winning composer A.R. Rahman. He is a published comic artist, with stories appearing in anthologies by Harper Collins & Scholastic and has taught numerous courses as a visiting faculty at NID and other film schools. Currently, he is finishing work on his next solo animated short, TEN a dark comedy about he mass exodus from Bangladesh in 1971. He is developing his first animated feature, CITY OF THREADS set in Ahmedabad in the 1960’s. A graduate from NID Ahmedabad, Kalp Sangvi is an animation filmmaker and illustrator. He co-directed and wrote the highly acclaimed animated short WADE with Upamanyu Bhattacharyya. His main pursuit is telling indigenous stories with local flavor, building on the massive range of yet untold Indian stories. In 2015, he co-founded Ghost Animation, Kolkata. The studio has since been taking the medium of animation to the masses at home and beyond. He has worked on various projects for clients including Penguin, Amazon, Sony Entertainment India, & Animal Planet. He has also worked on title sequences for feature films, including acclaimed director Mani Ratnam’s film ‘OK Kanmani’and ‘102 Not Out’ by Umesh Shukla, featuring Amitabh Bachchan & Rishi Kapoor. His artworks have also been published by Penguin and Scholastic. He is currently developing his first animated series RAJBARI: THE ANCESTRAL HOUSE, a fantasy family drama set in Kolkata. Trailer

A 65-year-old chauffeur, who is tired of the noises in the obstreperous Mumbai City life and has completely stopped speaking, decides to leave everything in search for 'Silent Valley'. Namdev Bhau DFW Screening - March 28th 2019 7:15 - 9:00 pm Angelika Film Center - Plano 7205 Bishop Rd., Plano, Texas 75024 India 2018 | Fiction | 84 mins. | Hindi/Marathi with English Subtitles TICKETS SYNOPSIS A chauffeur, NAMDEV BHAU (65), is so flustered by constant noise around him, that he has completely stopped speaking. To get away from all the noise he decides to undertake a journey to the “Silent Valley”. Namdev travels by train to a mountain town only to find that it’s noisier than the city. At the closest bus stop, he encounters a young hyper boy, Aaliq. Aaliq tries to explain that he needs to reach ‘Red Castle’ and they must travel together as he is on a secret mission. When they finally reach Silent Valley. The ‘valley’ is filled with disorderly students on a field trip. Namdev is disappointed and tears the newspaper article. Aaliq proposes they go to Red Castle. Namdev reluctantly agrees. Next morning, Namdev goes to the local café for breakfast while Aaliq sleeps. He overhears a television news-report about a couple who was killed by their relatives for eloping. It also mentions that their 12-year-old son is missing. Namdev gets a hunch that they are speaking of Aaliq and rushes back. After a brief conversation, Namdev understands the boy’s naivety for believing that his parents will meet him at the Red Castle as per instructions. Namdev decides to take him to the Red Castle and see what ensues. They reach the Red Castle. Aaliq rushes ahead for delivering the scroll to the King in Red Robe. Aaliq kneels before a Buddhist Monk and gives him the scroll. After reading, the Monk glances at Namdev, who nods to affirm. The Monk escorts Aaliq inside. Namdev leaves from the castle and stops for tea. Fireworks go off nearby and a big procession passes him by. As people dance wildly around him, a smile appears on Namdev’s face. Amidst the noise and chaos, Namdev smiles unabashedly, and begins dancing. SHORT FILM - THE LOOP "The Loop" a short by Dallas local & first time filmmaker Maruthi Maestro will be presented pre-screening followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker! A man wakes up in his room and finds some strange clues about a Time Loop. He ignores them at first but then finds himself caught in the loop. He understands the clues and leaves the same ones in an attempt to come out of the loop. What happens next? TRAILER DIRECTOR'S PROFILE DAR GAI Daria was first cast as lead actress in a play when she was 10 years old, since then she has acted and directed multiple theatre productions in Kiev, working with the best producers and critically acclaimed directors in Ukraine. After obtaining a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Philosophy with a minor in Film & Theatre from Kiev, Daria moved to India to teach screenwriting at ‘Whistling Woods International’ (India’s premier private film school). While exploring India, she came across many underlying societal idiosyncrasies which were fascinating when looked at from an objective point of view. Her first narrative feature called ‘Teen Aur Aadha’ was co-produced and presented by noted Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, follows the story of one house which 50 years ago was a school, 20 years later turns into a brothel and in present day it plays home to a 75-year-old couple. Interestingly the entire film was filmed in three long shots. It has been selected in over 35 International Festivals winning 12 awards in the process. Dar’s second film “Namdev Bhau” is premiering at the Busan International Film Festival, and will have its UK Premier at BFI’s London Film Festival. DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT The infrastructure of Mumbai has been built to hold about 5 million inhabitants. As of 2018, there are about 23 million inhabitants. As one can imagine, the human and non-human creatures of this city live in absolute chaos. Sound decibel levels in Mumbai are much higher than the UN “safety margin”, with the average sound level being about 64 times higher than that of London or New York. The importance of silence is grossly disregarded in city life. We’ve become immune to the ceaseless honking, eternal drilling/thumping from construction sites, endless rattling of trains and the obstreperous cries of vendors. Sometimes it gets so noisy that it’s difficult to hear one’s own thoughts. This is the predicament plaguing our protagonist. Namdev Bhau’s life journey toward self-discovery is shrouded by unimaginable and unforgiving probabilities of circumstance. Through a more physical escapade, he sets off trying to find an elusive ‘Silent Valley’ which promises myths of a ‘zero noise’ experience. On the way he chances upon a cheerful 12-year-old boy who is unknowingly escaping a gruesome violence committed onto his parents. This becomes an important underlying theme of the film. His parents had been brutally murdered by their relatives for having married outside their caste. Inter-caste marriage related murders are commonplace in India and have been on the rise in the last few years. The idea of which perfectly juxtaposes the digital and technological revolution of the country to the inane and barbaric rituals of ancient cultures. The narrative then prioritizing the “coming-of-age” for the orphaned 12-year-old boy as well as the disgruntled 65-year-old man, as both of them reach a pivotal stage in their journey towards self-discovery and will then be more capable of deconstructing the illusions which societal structures have manufactured. CREDITS PRINCIPAL CREW AND CAST MEMBERS Producer/s: Dheer Momaya Story and Script/Screenplay: Dar Gai Director of Photography: Aditya Varma Editor: Shounok Ghosh Music: Andrea Guerra Cast: Namdev Gurav, Aarya Dave, Zoya Hussain Sound Design: Rakshit Thantry Production Design: Dar Gai AWARDS Busan International Film Festival (World Premier) BFI's London International Film Festival (UK Premier) STILLS P1180281 P1040167 TICKETS Trouble purchasing tickets? Click the link below. BUY TICKETS - link NB-Tickets MEDIA PARTNERS

A fishing trawler is beset by mysterious, possibly supernatural occurences after they take onboard a young woman lost at sea. Back to Festival Progra m 1/4 Sat. April 15th @ 4:00PM AFS Cinemas Virtual: April 28- May 1 HAWA Bangladesh I 130 mins I Drama, Mystery, Fantasy I 2022 Bengali, Bangla w/ English subtitles BUY TICKETS WATCH ONLINE Winner of 'Best Director' and "Best Actress' at the DC South Asian Film Festival. Bangladesh's Official Oscar Entry for 'Best International Feature' On a small fishing trawler in the Bay of Bengal, a group of sailors is surpised by a highly unusual catch - a young woman adrift at sea. The small, all male crew view this new arrival with a mix of suspicion and attraction. As strange events begin to pile up, the true nature of this visitor is called into question. This mysterious and genre-defying tale draws from fairytale and myth to create a new high point in modern Bangladeshi cinema. About the Artist Mejbaur Rahman Sumon started his career in 2010 as a Television Director after finishing his study in Fine Arts from Dhaka University. His debut film HAWA, released nationally and globally in 2022, screening at festivals from Kolkata to Osaka. The film became Bangladesh’s official entry into the 'Best International Feature Film' category of the 95th Academy Awards and was shortlisted for the Golden Globes. Since it's release, HAWA has been among the most acclaimed and in-demand titles of Bangladeshi cinema both within Bangladesh and around the globe - cementing Sumon as a rising contemporary voice in the industry. Trailer Credits Crew Writer/ Director: Mejbar Rahman Sumon Producer(s): Anjan Chowdhury Pintu Shimul Chandra Biswas A joy Kumar Kundu Writer(s): Jaheen Faruque Amin Sukorno Shahed Dhiman Mejbaur Rahman Sumon Film Editor: Sazal Alok DOP: Kamrul Hasan Khosru 2nd Unit DOP: Tanveer Ahmed Shovon Chief AD: Mostaque Ahmed Titu Composer: Rasheed Sharif Shoaib Cast: Chanchal Chowdhury Nazifa Tushi Shohel Mondol Nasir Uddin Khan Sariful Razz Sumon Anowar Bablu Bose Rizvi Rizu Mahmud Alam Sound Design: Anirban Ganguly Prod Design: Mejbaur Rahman Sumon Costumes: Aniqa Zaheen