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A father decided to revenge a lawyer who rapes his teenage daughter. Eventive Virtual May 2 - 4, 2025 Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Indie Meme Special 10th Year Retrospective Showcase Texas Premiere Dadresi (The Claimant) Iran | Short 2024 | 20 mins | Persian TICKETS WATCH ONLINE Limited tickets available on site. Fajr International Film Festival, Iran - Winner Best Short Film Tehran International Short Film Festival, Iran - Winner Best Direction Accolade Global Film Competition, United States - Winner Best Woman Filmmaker “Claimant" is about a father who discovers that his teenage daughter was assaulted and raped, so he decides to confront and punish the rapist, but since the culprit is a very proficient lawyer he uses laws in a way that he not only escapes from justice but also legally make the father the criminal. Film Heritage Foundation used the best surviving elements for the restoration – the original camera negative and the 35 mm print preserved at the NFDC – NFAI. Unfortunately, the sound negative was not available. We digitized the sound from the 35 mm print preserved at Film Heritage Foundation. The film elements were repaired by the Film Heritage Foundation conservators and the scanning was done in Prasad Lab in Chennai We found that due to the deterioration of the print, there were vertical green lines on many parts of the film. While the scanning and digital clean-up was done at Prasad under the supervision of L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, the grading, sound restoration and mastering was done at the lab in Bologna. Both Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani, the cinematographer of the film, have been involved in the restoration of the film. Restoration Process Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation The screening will be preceded by a performance by Specific Thing. Specific Thing is the project of local musician Román. Sometimes he plays by himself and sometimes he plays with his snazzy band — he loves to do both! And the music? It draws from folk, punk, pop, latin, communism, animals, friends... He likes to keep it cartoony, quick, and catchy. The band released an album in 2025 called "Now Is Actually Not A Good Time". Find more at @specificthing on Instagram. Meet Specific Thing About the Artist Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation I was born in 1979. I studied cinema and dramatic literature in art university and I received my PHD in art research. For many years I was mostly active in academic fields and I taught interdisciplinary courses between art and humanities in universities such as the Art university of Tehran. In recent years I have increased my artistic activities such as screenwriting. I had rewritten the script of "Conjugal Visit" (2021) (directed by Omid Shams). Claimant is my first short film as a writer and director. Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Trailer Credits Crew: Director: Nadereh Sadatserki Writer: Nadereh Sadatserki Producers: Film Editor: Featured Cast: Restoration Effort Led By: Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation Restoration Credit: Restored by Film Heritage Foundation in association with Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul), the cinematographer Govind Nihalani and the director Shyam Benegal. Funding supported by Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul) Thank you to our community partners for this screening!

Two hearts navigate the shifting tides of love, marriage, and self-discovery, as their relationship teeters on the edge. April 10, 2025 at 11:30:00 PM AFS Cinema Virtual May 2 - 4, 2025 Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Indie Meme Special 10th Year Retrospective Showcase World Premiere Fragments of Us USA | Short 2024 | 24 mins | Telugu, English TICKETS WATCH ONLINE Limited tickets available on site. Fragments of Us follows Drithi and Arjun, a south asian couple navigating the intricate challenges of love, marriage, and self-discovery. As cultural expectations and personal ambitions collide, they confront the fragile nature of their bond through a non-linear narrative that reveals defining moments from their past, present, and possible future. Each fragment of their journey invites reflection on whether there is ever a "right" time to address issues within a relationship, or if it ultimately comes down to resilience and choice. Film Heritage Foundation used the best surviving elements for the restoration – the original camera negative and the 35 mm print preserved at the NFDC – NFAI. Unfortunately, the sound negative was not available. We digitized the sound from the 35 mm print preserved at Film Heritage Foundation. The film elements were repaired by the Film Heritage Foundation conservators and the scanning was done in Prasad Lab in Chennai We found that due to the deterioration of the print, there were vertical green lines on many parts of the film. While the scanning and digital clean-up was done at Prasad under the supervision of L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, the grading, sound restoration and mastering was done at the lab in Bologna. Both Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani, the cinematographer of the film, have been involved in the restoration of the film. Restoration Process Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation The screening will be preceded by a performance by Specific Thing. Specific Thing is the project of local musician Román. Sometimes he plays by himself and sometimes he plays with his snazzy band — he loves to do both! And the music? It draws from folk, punk, pop, latin, communism, animals, friends... He likes to keep it cartoony, quick, and catchy. The band released an album in 2025 called "Now Is Actually Not A Good Time". Find more at @specificthing on Instagram. Meet Specific Thing About the Artist Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Sushanth Nallapareddy is an emerging filmmaker with a distinctive voice in contemporary cinema, known for weaving intricate narratives that explore the complexities of human relationships. His passion for storytelling is rooted in capturing the emotional and psychological depths of his characters, with a focus on life's subtleties and nuances. Deeply influenced by Telugu mainstream cinema in his early years, Sushanth later found inspiration in world cinema, which reshaped his understanding of film as a powerful art form. His previous works including the short films Anveshana and Inkosaari, and the music video Head over Heels have garnered significant viewership on YouTube, solidifying his presence in Telugu cinema. While his previous work leaned toward mainstream appeal, Fragments of Us marks a more introspective approach, delving into a personal style of cinema. Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Trailer Credits Crew: Director: Sushanth Nallapareddy Writer: Sushanth Nallapareddy Krishna Poojitha Producers: Dundinath Gunda Anil Sankaramachi Prithvi Raj Karreddula Film Editor: Sachin Dheeraj Sushanth Nallapareddy Featured Cast: Shalini Bathina Sri Chilukuri Restoration Effort Led By: Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation Restoration Credit: Restored by Film Heritage Foundation in association with Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul), the cinematographer Govind Nihalani and the director Shyam Benegal. Funding supported by Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul) Thank you to our community partners for this screening!

A middle aged Indian woman visits a Texas cattle ranch and learns the meaning of true grit. April 10, 2025 at 11:30:00 PM AFS Cinema Virtual May 2 - 4, 2025 Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Indie Meme Special 10th Year Retrospective Showcase World Premiere Cowboys and Hindus USA | Short 2025 | 16 mins | English TICKETS WATCH ONLINE Limited tickets available on site. A depressed, affluent, middle aged Hindu woman, ASHA, accompanies her domineering husband to a Texas cattle ranch. While there, she befriends a cattle woman who takes the Hindu woman under her wing and teaches her all about cowboy culture. Asha soon finds purpose on the ranch and in her life. She discovers the meaning of true American grit. Film Heritage Foundation used the best surviving elements for the restoration – the original camera negative and the 35 mm print preserved at the NFDC – NFAI. Unfortunately, the sound negative was not available. We digitized the sound from the 35 mm print preserved at Film Heritage Foundation. The film elements were repaired by the Film Heritage Foundation conservators and the scanning was done in Prasad Lab in Chennai We found that due to the deterioration of the print, there were vertical green lines on many parts of the film. While the scanning and digital clean-up was done at Prasad under the supervision of L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, the grading, sound restoration and mastering was done at the lab in Bologna. Both Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani, the cinematographer of the film, have been involved in the restoration of the film. Restoration Process Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation The screening will be preceded by a performance by Specific Thing. Specific Thing is the project of local musician Román. Sometimes he plays by himself and sometimes he plays with his snazzy band — he loves to do both! And the music? It draws from folk, punk, pop, latin, communism, animals, friends... He likes to keep it cartoony, quick, and catchy. The band released an album in 2025 called "Now Is Actually Not A Good Time". Find more at @specificthing on Instagram. Meet Specific Thing About the Artist Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Tejal Desai is an award-winning screenwriter. He was awarded the most coveted and prestigious screenwriting award, the Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AMPAS) for his comedy script LINDA AND HENRY. Subsequently he was hired by Disney Studios to develop and write a sequel to PINOCCHIO. His screenplay, COWBOYS & HINDUS, won the Final Draft Big Break Screenplay competition and was honored on stage alongside Aaron Sorkin at Final Draft’s Hall of Fame Awards. COWBOYS & HINDUS also won the Cinestory Screenplay Competition and was named a semifinalist at the Sundance Screenwriting Institute. Tejal has also written on assignment for Focus Features and Lifetime Television. He produced the feature length drama, ABCD, starring Madhur Jaffrey which premiered at the 43rd London Film Festival and won Best Independent Film at the Houston Film Festival. Currently, Tejal finished writing and directing the short films of Cowboys and Hindus and plans to shoot the feature version in 2026 with Priya Deva and Adil Hussain to star. He ha also finished writing and directing a comedy called Dad’s Final Wish, about a dying man’s final wish is to find his childhood bully and beat him before he dies. Tejal currently lives in Austin with his wife and two sons. Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Trailer Credits Crew: Director: Tejal Desai Writer: Tejal Desai Producers: Andrew Lee Kirtana Banskota Film Editor: Featured Cast: Priya Deva Samir Khan Paula Saletnik Tara Amin Restoration Effort Led By: Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation Restoration Credit: Restored by Film Heritage Foundation in association with Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul), the cinematographer Govind Nihalani and the director Shyam Benegal. Funding supported by Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul) Thank you to our community partners for this screening!

Sooraj, the last remaining death photographer at the burning banks of Manikarnika, is going through troubled times like old Kashi. The ancient town is being demolished to build modern beautified pathways. The death photographer is out of work because of the fancy smartphones with exquisite cameras. He stands at the crossroads - either he continues seeking dummies to click or he looks for greener pastures beyond the singed banks of Manikarnika to secure a better future for his family. Eventive Virtual May 2 - 4, 2025 Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Indie Meme Special 10th Year Retrospective Showcase Barah x Barah (12x12) India | Narrative Feature 2021 | 118 mins | Hindi ORIGINAL FILM PAGE WATCH ONLINE Limited tickets available on site. IFFK, Kerala 2021 Shanghai International Film Festival 2021 IFF Stuttgart 2021 Sooraj is the last remaining death photographer at the burning banks of Manikarnika in Banaras. Kashi, one of the most ancient towns in the world, is undergoing a cosmetic facelift. Old heritage is being demolished to build beautified modern structures. The death photographer is going through the same ordeal as the town. People aren’t availing his services thanks to the advent of fancy smartphones with exquisite cameras. Sooraj has an ailing father, a beautiful caring wife and a young son whom he wants to keep away from the burning banks. He is struggling to make ends meet but still isn’t giving up on dummies. There are many who capture the living but only a few who click the departed. Unable to sight a future for his family in Banaras Sooraj is forced to look for greener pastures beyond the singed banks of Manikarnika. He knows he is a migrant amidst a great many migrants in this ancient town stuck in time bubble.Life will soon give him a chance to experience death and yet another shot at life as well! Film Heritage Foundation used the best surviving elements for the restoration – the original camera negative and the 35 mm print preserved at the NFDC – NFAI. Unfortunately, the sound negative was not available. We digitized the sound from the 35 mm print preserved at Film Heritage Foundation. The film elements were repaired by the Film Heritage Foundation conservators and the scanning was done in Prasad Lab in Chennai We found that due to the deterioration of the print, there were vertical green lines on many parts of the film. While the scanning and digital clean-up was done at Prasad under the supervision of L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, the grading, sound restoration and mastering was done at the lab in Bologna. Both Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani, the cinematographer of the film, have been involved in the restoration of the film. Restoration Process Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation The screening will be preceded by a performance by Specific Thing. Specific Thing is the project of local musician Román. Sometimes he plays by himself and sometimes he plays with his snazzy band — he loves to do both! And the music? It draws from folk, punk, pop, latin, communism, animals, friends... He likes to keep it cartoony, quick, and catchy. The band released an album in 2025 called "Now Is Actually Not A Good Time". Find more at @specificthing on Instagram. Meet Specific Thing About the Artist Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Gaurav Madan is a screenwriter, director, and producer based in Mumbai, with extensive experience across narrative fiction, advertising, and audio storytelling. He has directed over 100 ad films, corporate films, and music videos. His short films, including the award-winning Sambhavtaha (Probably), have received wide recognition. Gaurav's debut feature film Barah by Barah (12x12 Untitled, 2024) premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival and the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). It went on to screen at several prestigious festivals. The film received the Grand Prix for Best Feature at FIPRESCI India and Best Director at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF). An alumnus of the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, NFDC Filmcity Screenwriters Lab, and Film Independent's Global Media Makers program, Gaurav is also passionate about reviving oral storytelling traditions through audio fiction and podcasts. Most recently, he completed work on Galli No. 26, starring Abhishek Banerjee and Raghubir Yadav, where he served as writer, creative director, and second unit director. Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Trailer Credits Crew: Director: Gaurav Madan Writer: Gaurav Madan Sunny Lahiri Jignesh Patel Producers: Gaurav Madan Sunny Lahiri Jignesh Patel Film Editor: Hira Das Featured Cast: Gyanendra Tripathi Harish Khanna Bhumika Dube Geetika Vidya Ohlyan Aakash Sinha Aashit Chatterjee Prithvi Singh Restoration Effort Led By: Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation Restoration Credit: Restored by Film Heritage Foundation in association with Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul), the cinematographer Govind Nihalani and the director Shyam Benegal. Funding supported by Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul) Thank you to our community partners for this screening!

Sthal explores the tradition of arranged marriage in rural India, where a girl's marriage overshadows the very sustenance of life. Narrated from the perspective of a young girl, Savita, it highlights the patriarchy rooted in society. Eventive Virtual May 2 - 4, 2025 Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Indie Meme Special 10th Year Retrospective Showcase Sthal (A Match) India | Narrative Feature 2023 | 104 mins | Marathi ORIGINAL FILM PAGE WATCH ONLINE Limited tickets available on site. Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival 2024 (Best Film, Best Actress) Third Eye Asian Film Festival 2024 (Best Film, Best Actress) Pune International Film Festival 2024 (Sant Tukaram Award - Best Marathi Film, Best Screenplay) In a village in the Vidarbha region of India, a determined young girl, Savita, yearns for education and a brighter future. However, as her farmer parents anxiously struggle to find a suitable match for her, societal expectations place immense pressure on her to prioritize marriage over personal aspirations. Being dark-complexioned and short in height, Savita is seen as an added ‘burden’ on her parents and ‘marrying her off’, as difficult as finding fair price for their crop. Facing countless rejections from potential suitors, she must navigate a world where the pursuit of marriage overshadows the very sustenance of life. Shot on real locations with real people from the village, all non-actors, Sthal (A Match) is the director's debut feature film that explores the tradition of arranged marriages in rural India while highlighting patriarchy, colorism and social evil deeply rooted in society. Film Heritage Foundation used the best surviving elements for the restoration – the original camera negative and the 35 mm print preserved at the NFDC – NFAI. Unfortunately, the sound negative was not available. We digitized the sound from the 35 mm print preserved at Film Heritage Foundation. The film elements were repaired by the Film Heritage Foundation conservators and the scanning was done in Prasad Lab in Chennai We found that due to the deterioration of the print, there were vertical green lines on many parts of the film. While the scanning and digital clean-up was done at Prasad under the supervision of L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, the grading, sound restoration and mastering was done at the lab in Bologna. Both Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani, the cinematographer of the film, have been involved in the restoration of the film. Restoration Process Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation The screening will be preceded by a performance by Specific Thing. Specific Thing is the project of local musician Román. Sometimes he plays by himself and sometimes he plays with his snazzy band — he loves to do both! And the music? It draws from folk, punk, pop, latin, communism, animals, friends... He likes to keep it cartoony, quick, and catchy. The band released an album in 2025 called "Now Is Actually Not A Good Time". Find more at @specificthing on Instagram. Meet Specific Thing About the Artist Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Born in a village in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra, Jayant Digambar Somalkar is an engineering graduate, but his creative bent of mind made him veer towards filmmaking. His debut short film, ‘Iyatta - Class,' showed at many film festivals and won many awards. He has co- written and co-directed the critically acclaimed Amazon Prime Video Original Series 'Guilty Minds’. ‘Sthal - A Match’ marks the director's debut feature, showcasing his talent for storytelling and commitment to presenting social issues in an authentic and compassionate manner. Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Trailer Credits Crew: Director: Jayant Digambar Somalkar Writer: Jayant Digambar Somalkar Producers: Shefali Bhushan Karan Grover Riga Malhotra Jayant Somalkar Film Editor: Abhijit Deshpande Featured Cast: Nandini Chikte Taranath Khiratakar Sangita Sonekar Suyog Dhawas Sandip Somalkar Sandip Parkhi Swati Ulmale Gauri Badki Mansi Pawar Restoration Effort Led By: Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation Restoration Credit: Restored by Film Heritage Foundation in association with Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul), the cinematographer Govind Nihalani and the director Shyam Benegal. Funding supported by Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul) Thank you to our community partners for this screening!

A man undergoes a mysterious transformation as a flowering plant begins to grow from his mouth, forcing him to confront his evolving relationship with his teenage daughter and the delicate balance between change and acceptance. Eventive Virtual May 2 - 4, 2025 North America Premiere Flowering Man India | Short 2023 | 24 mins | Hindi TICKETS TICKETS "Paridrishya" International Festival of Short Films and Documentaries Karnataka Symbiosis Film Festival International Festival for Short Documentary & Fiction Films- Best Director Award in the Short Fiction category JIO MAMI year Round Programme, Goa In The Flowering Man, a middle-aged man experiences an inexplicable transformation when a delicate flowering plant begins to sprout from his mouth. As the phenomenon takes hold, he struggles to understand its significance while navigating his relationship with his teenage daughter. What begins as a surreal affliction soon becomes a profound metaphor for growth, acceptance, and the silent emotions that often go unspoken between loved ones. Through striking visuals and an evocative narrative, the film explores themes of metamorphosis, human connection, and the quiet resilience found in embracing change. Restoration Process About the Artist Soumyajit Ghosh Dastidar is an Indian filmmaker known for his thought-provoking storytelling and unique cinematic vision. He studied Direction and Screenplay Writing at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), graduating in 2017. Dastidar's short film, The Flowering Man (2023), has garnered critical acclaim and was showcased at the 16th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK). The film explores the metamorphosis of a man who begins to grow a flowering plant from his mouth, symbolizing his transition and evolving relationship with his teenage daughter. In addition to The Flowering Man, Dastidar has directed other notable works, including Taap - About Mercury Rolling Down the Bodies (2020) and Whispers of the Henna Tree (2021). Dastidar's films often delve into themes of identity, transformation, and human relationships, reflecting his commitment to exploring complex narratives through cinema. Trailer For English subtitles, make sure to turn on the YouTube closed captions. Credits Crew: Director: Soumyajit Ghosh Dastidar Writer: Soumyajit Ghosh Dastidar Producer(s): Film & Television Institute of India Film Editor: Arirtra Majumdar Featured Cast: Tanishka Meesala Rajeev Gaur Singh Maitreyaa Trilok Khairnar Thank you to our community partners for this screening! This program was made possible in part with a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

After the death of the family patriarch, a mother and daughter’s precarious existence is ripped apart by figures from their past. They must find strength in each other if they are to survive the malevolent forces that threaten to engulf them. Eventive Virtual May 2 - 4, 2025 Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Indie Meme Special 10th Year Retrospective Showcase In Flames Pakistan, Canada | Narrative Feature 2023 | 98 mins | Urdu ORIGINAL FILM PAGE WATCH ONLINE Limited tickets available on site. Golden Yusr at Red Sea FF, TIFF, Cannes Mariam lives with her younger brother and their mother, Fariha, in a tiny apartment in Karachi. When Mariam’s maternal grandfather passes, his brother tries to manipulate them into signing over their apartment to him, a common occurrence in Pakistan, where women’s property rights are fragile. Mariam’s mother, grieving and isolated, is easy to influence. Mariam, distraught by her mother’s foolishness, finds solace in a secret romance with a fellow student, Asad. When their relationship takes an unexpected turn, Mariam becomes consumed by nightmares. Meanwhile, her mother, caught between her coercive Uncle and a murky legal system, is oblivious to her daughter’s deteriorating mental state. Mariam’s nightmares begin to bleed into reality. Mother and daughter must come together if they hope to overcome the real and phantasmal forces that threaten to engulf them. Film Heritage Foundation used the best surviving elements for the restoration – the original camera negative and the 35 mm print preserved at the NFDC – NFAI. Unfortunately, the sound negative was not available. We digitized the sound from the 35 mm print preserved at Film Heritage Foundation. The film elements were repaired by the Film Heritage Foundation conservators and the scanning was done in Prasad Lab in Chennai We found that due to the deterioration of the print, there were vertical green lines on many parts of the film. While the scanning and digital clean-up was done at Prasad under the supervision of L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, the grading, sound restoration and mastering was done at the lab in Bologna. Both Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani, the cinematographer of the film, have been involved in the restoration of the film. Restoration Process Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation The screening will be preceded by a performance by Specific Thing. Specific Thing is the project of local musician Román. Sometimes he plays by himself and sometimes he plays with his snazzy band — he loves to do both! And the music? It draws from folk, punk, pop, latin, communism, animals, friends... He likes to keep it cartoony, quick, and catchy. The band released an album in 2025 called "Now Is Actually Not A Good Time". Find more at @specificthing on Instagram. Meet Specific Thing About the Artist Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Zarrar Kahn is an award-winning Pakistani-Canadian filmmaker whose film IN FLAMES premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival as part of the Director’s Fortnight. His works have been screened and awarded in over 100+ film festivals, including TIFF, Locarno, and BFI London. In Flames, his feature directorial debut, has garnered critical acclaim and prizes worldwide - including the Golden Yusr for Best Picture at Red Sea FF and the Grand Prize - International Newcomer Award at Mannheim-Heidelberg FF. Born in Karachi, and currently based out of Toronto, Kahn is committed to telling stories that amplify historically marginalized communities. Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Trailer Credits Crew: Director: Zarrar Kahn Writer: Zarrar Kahn Producers: Hamza Bangash Film Editor: Craig Scorgie Zarrar Kahn Featured Cast: Ramesha Nawal Omar Javaid Bakhtawar Mazhar Adnan Shah Tipu Mohammad Ali Hashmi Jibran Khan Restoration Effort Led By: Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation Restoration Credit: Restored by Film Heritage Foundation in association with Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul), the cinematographer Govind Nihalani and the director Shyam Benegal. Funding supported by Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul) Thank you to our community partners for this screening!

A tale of love, loss, and cloaked secrets centered on the lives of three women in Pakistan, including a young married woman drawn to a mysterious man who saved her life. Filmocracy Virtual April 28 - May 1, 2023 Kamli Pakistan | Narrative Feature 2022 | 130 min | Urdu TICKETS TICKETS 'Best Actress' - Indus Valley International Film Festival (IVIFF) Official Selection of Rotterdam (IFFR) A young married woman, living with her blind sister-in-law, has been waiting eight years for her husband to return home. One day, she nearly drowns but is rescued by a mysterious wanderer named Amaltas, putting her in a dilemma between her husband and her savior. A tale of love, loss, and hidden secrets centered on Pakistani women. Restoration Process About the Artist Sarmad Sultan Khoosat is a Pakistani director, actor, producer, and screenwriter, best known for his feature film, MANTO, which received tremendous critical acclaim locally & internationally. With a career spanning 20+ years, Sarmad has directed some of Pakistan’s most celebrated TV series, such as Humsafar and Shehr-e-Zaat. Films Khoosat has directed and produced have been awarded at renowned festivals from Cannes to Jaipur, Toronto, Busan, and the UK Asian Film Festival. In 2016, he was awarded the prestigious President of Pakistan’s Pride of Performance Award for his outstanding contribution to Pakistan’s Film & TV industry. Trailer For English subtitles, make sure to turn on the YouTube closed captions. Credits Crew: Director: Sarmad Sultan Khoosat Writer: Fatimah Sattar Producer(s): Kanwal Khoosat Film Editor: Saim Sadiq Nadeem Abbas Featured Cast: Saba Qamar Sania Saeed Nimra Bucha Hamza Khawaja Omair Rana Adeel Afzal Thank you to our community partners for this screening! This program was made possible in part with a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Norwegian academic Samuel died in Santhali village. Bidu wants to keep Samuel's last wish of burying him in the village. With a broken heart and a broken dream, Bidu's five-year-old son Kherwal started looking for a new way of going to Norway, which Samuel promised. Eventive Virtual May 2 - 4, 2025 United States Premiere Kherwal India | Narrative Feature 2023 | 122 mins | Santhali, Bengali, English TICKETS TICKETS 29th Kolkata International Film Festival 28th International Film Festival of Kerala 2023-Best Debut Director Indian Cinema Now 16th Jaipur International Film Festival -Awarded for Best Original Script, Best Released Film, Best Cinematography, Best Actor Lead Norwegian academic Samuel passed away in an Indian tribal village, leaving behind a final wish to be buried there. Bidu, a Santhali man, is determined to honour Samuel’s last request. Meanwhile, Bidu's young son struggles with the painful realisation that his cherished dream of visiting Norway, a promise made by Samuel, may never come true. However, hope flickers anew with the arrival of Samuel’s daughter, Lauren, in the village, rekindling the boy’s aspirations and bringing new possibilities to light. Restoration Process About the Artist Uttam Kamati is an independent Indian filmmaker and photographer with a strong passion for storytelling. His creative journey began by taking on different roles in filmmaking, where he gained experience as an assistant director, and scriptwriter for independent projects. Recently, Uttam Kamati completed his first feature-length film, Kherwal, which showcases his dedication to exploring diverse narratives. His short films, including Hope, have received international recognition. Hope won awards at the Dresden Sustainability Contest in Germany and the FINI Festival in Mexico. As a photographer, Uttam Kamati has earned several prestigious awards, including the Environmental Photographer of the Year (London, 2015), the DMZ International Half and Half Photography Award, and the DMZ Global Peace Award (South Korea), as well as the FIAP Bronze (Turkey). His work has been exhibited in major cities like New York, London, Turkey, and Boston, as well as at renowned institutions across India. Trailer For English subtitles, make sure to turn on the YouTube closed captions. Credits Crew: Director: Uttam Kamati Writer: Uttam Kamati Producer(s): Uttam Kamati Film Editor: Featured Cast: Debanshu Saren Rabi Baskey Krista Smligdriva Monimala Saren Thank you to our community partners for this screening! This program was made possible in part with a grant from Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

A fisherwoman takes on a powerful local politician by hosting a feast for him using an unforgettable secret dish that could save her dying lake. April 12, 2025 at 3:30:00 PM AFS Cinema Virtual May 2 - 4, 2025 Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Indie Meme Special 10th Year Retrospective Showcase Texas Premiere Virundhu (The Feast) India | Short 2024 | 25 mins | Tamil TICKETS WATCH ONLINE Limited tickets available on site. Jury Award for Best Short - IMFF 2025, Austin, USA Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival, February 2024, World Premiere - Special Jury Prize Winner, International Competition Sydney Film Festival, June 2024 A fisherwoman takes on a powerful local politician by hosting a feast for him using an unforgettable secret dish that could save her dying lake. Film Heritage Foundation used the best surviving elements for the restoration – the original camera negative and the 35 mm print preserved at the NFDC – NFAI. Unfortunately, the sound negative was not available. We digitized the sound from the 35 mm print preserved at Film Heritage Foundation. The film elements were repaired by the Film Heritage Foundation conservators and the scanning was done in Prasad Lab in Chennai We found that due to the deterioration of the print, there were vertical green lines on many parts of the film. While the scanning and digital clean-up was done at Prasad under the supervision of L’Immagine Ritrovata in Bologna, the grading, sound restoration and mastering was done at the lab in Bologna. Both Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalani, the cinematographer of the film, have been involved in the restoration of the film. Restoration Process Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation The screening will be preceded by a performance by Specific Thing. Specific Thing is the project of local musician Román. Sometimes he plays by himself and sometimes he plays with his snazzy band — he loves to do both! And the music? It draws from folk, punk, pop, latin, communism, animals, friends... He likes to keep it cartoony, quick, and catchy. The band released an album in 2025 called "Now Is Actually Not A Good Time". Find more at @specificthing on Instagram. Meet Specific Thing About the Artist Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Rishi Chandna is a self-taught independent filmmaker based in Mumbai and Goa. Currently he is in development of his first feature-length fiction film titled GHOL/THE CATCH. The project has been mentored at the 2021 Sundance Screenwriters Lab, and selected at the Cannes Film Market 2021, the 2021 NFDC Film Bazaar Co-Production Market and the 2021 Hong Kong Asia Film Financing Forum where it won the top HAF Fiction Award for a non – Hong Kong project. The Feast (‘Virundhu’ in Tamil) is his first work of short fiction and was awarded the Special Jury Award at the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in February 2024. The film is part of an anthology of three short fiction films Rishi is making, that represent marginalised communities dealing with issues of climate change and political disenfranchisement in the context of water pollution, access and inequality. His debut short film, TUNGRUS (2018), a black comedy about a Mumbai suburban family divided over eating their dominating pet rooster, was shown at Hot Docs, Visions Du Reel, BFI London Film Festival, IDFA and became an Oscar-qualifying short documentary after winning at Slamdance Film Festival. Tungrus has released online on the prestigious New York Times’ OP-DOCS, PBS POV SHORTS, The Criterion Channel and several other platforms such as Atlantic Selects, Amazon Prime, Vimeo (Staff Pick) and Aeon Magazine. His second short film, PARTY POSTER (2022), a satirical documentary about the political poster culture in India, has shown at Palm Springs International Film Festival, Krakow Film Festival, DocAviv, Glasgow Short Film Festival and more, and was also launched online on New York Times’ OP-DOCS. Photo courtesy: Film Heritage Foundation Trailer Credits Crew: Director: Rishi Chandna Writer: Rishi Chandna Rahul Srivastava Producers: Rishi Chandna Anita Arjundas Jessica Seddon Rahul Muralidharan Film Editor: Ashwin Arvind Featured Cast: D. Antony Janagi GeorgeVijay Anbarasi Restoration Effort Led By: Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director, Film Heritage Foundation Restoration Credit: Restored by Film Heritage Foundation in association with Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul), the cinematographer Govind Nihalani and the director Shyam Benegal. Funding supported by Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.(Amul) Thank you to our community partners for this screening!

Explore the jury and audience award winners from the 2025 Indie Meme Film Festival. IMFF 2025 Awards Jury Awards Best Narrative Feature Jurors: Chelsea Hernandez, Bryan Poyser, Celeste Quesada Little Jaffna dir. Lawrence Valin LITTLE JAFFNA is a film that plunges the viewer and its conflicted protagonist into a tight-knit community of immigrants, sharing a complex story of the preservation of culture, even if it means breaking the law. With kinetic camerawork and stunning performances from its cast, LITTLE JAFFNA is a thrilling, thought-provoking and unforgettable experience. Narrative Feature: Special Mention Jurors: Chelsea Hernandez, Bryan Poyser, Celeste Quesada Puratawn (The Ancient) dir. Suman Ghosh PURATAWN (THE ANCIENT) is set against the backdrop of stunning interior environments, this film weaves a multi-dimensional story of loss, aging, and acceptance while evoking powerful and lasting emotions. The jury found PURATAWN (THE ANCIENT) especially deserving of recognition for its portrayal of how the passage of time can be profoundly transformative. Best Documentary Jurors: Khaula Malik, Tim Tsai Agent of Happiness dir. Arun Bhattarai & Dorrotya Zurbó Following two government workers in Bhutan as they travel the country conducting "happiness" surveys, AGENT OF HAPPINNESS captured our hearts through its balance of humor and poignancy. Filmmakers Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó have crafted a tender and visually stunning film that asks us to interrogate our own ideas of happiness and purpose. Documentary: Special Mention Jurors: Khaula Malik, Tim Tsai And, Towards Happy Alleys dir. Sreemoyee Singh Drawn by its cinema and the words of late feminist poet Forough Farrokhzad, an Indian filmmaker embarks on a quest to understand Iran through its filmmakers and activists. In a series of candid conversations and moments of human connection, Sreemoyee Singh’s AND, TOWARDS HAPPY ALLEYS earnestly explores the politics of expressing your voice in a repressive society, and reminds us of what is possible when you turn on a camera and aren’t afraid to ask questions, listen, and sing. Best Short Jurors: Miriam Chandy Menacherry, Jordan Levin, Brad Limov, Jenny Nulf Virundhu (The Feast) dir. Rishi Chandna VIRUNDHU (THE FEAST) tackles the global issue of environmental devastation at a hyper local, tangible level with adept humor and masterful tension. Using the sensory language of preparing and enjoying a meal unique to a village's cuisine, Director Rishi Chandna deconstructs the politics of access to uncontaminated food. The blunt, intimate dynamic between a fearless mother and a local politician from the village sets the stage for a direct social critique without becoming overly didactic. The labor, care, and history revealed through food fuel reconnection to place, community, and humanity. Short: Special Mention (Narrative) Jurors: Miriam Chandy Menacherry, Jordan Levin, Brad Limov, Jenny Nulf Chashma dir. Nitin Baid CHASHMA is a tender coming of age story of an impressionable young boy as his world comes into discerning focus. Lovingly told through an artful cinematic lens, the director takes on literal difficulty with seeing to weave a subtle commentary on adolescence, class, religious conflict, and family tensions. Featuring strong performances and a thoroughly immersive sense of place, this engaging narrative is clear-sighted and heartfelt, building towards a percipient resolution. Short: Special Mention (Cinematic) Jurors: Miriam Chandy Menacherry, Jordan Levin, Brad Limov, Jenny Nulf Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know dir. Chidananda Naik SUNFLOWERS WERE THE FIRST ONES TO KNOW is a thought provoking film with a dystopian premise. It wears its influences on its sleeve and yet retains a unique voice with painterly frames. Director Chidananda S. Naik's use of low light leaves much to the imagination in creating an immersive experience. The film is so mature in its portrayal, we were astonished to realize this is a student film. Audience Choice Awards Best Narrative Feature Boong dir. Lakshmipriya Devi Best Documentary Agent of Happiness dir. Arun Bhattarai & Dorrotya Zurbó Best Short The First Film dir. Piyush Thakur Best Short Smoke Cheyyaku Bro (Don't Smoke Bro) dir. Prithvi Raj Karreddula

< Our Team Board of Directors Animon Jose Programming Chair An avid advocate for independent cinema and its impact on social causes, Animon has been a volunteer with Indie Meme since 2014. Starting as a photographer, Animon has seamlessly transitioned into roles encompassing programming, hospitality, and graphic design for the Indie Meme Film Festival. Between 2018 and 2020, Animon served on the board of Indie Meme, assuming the role of President in 2020. He rejoined the board in 2022 and currently serves as the Programming Director. Beyond Indie Meme, Animon is an active volunteer for the Shanti Bhavan Children's Project, where he currently serves as the co-chair of the Texas Chapter. In his professional capacity, Animon leads the custom solutions team in KPMG's Tax Technology division.