Kolkata: Two films by alumni of the direction and screenplay writing department of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute — Maharshi Tuhin Kashyap and Tribeny Rai — have been selected for the 30th Busan International Film Festival 2025.
The festival will be held between Sept 17 and 26.
Two other films by alumni of the same department — Kunjila Mascillamani's ‘The Last Of Them Plagues' and Saurav Rai's ‘Lanka (The Fire)' — have been selected for the Asian Project Market. Rai's film is being produced by SRFTI sound recording and design department alumnus Sudeepta Sadhukhan, producing for film & TV department alumnus Viraj Selot and sound recording and design department alumna Ankita Purkayastha.
SRFTI alumni Arnab Laha and Shingkhanu Marma have been officially selected as two of the 24 emerging filmmakers from across Asia, out of 40 countries. "I extend my heartfelt congratulations to each of the nine alumni. Their achievements not only bring international recognition to their own artistry but also reaffirm the institute's role as a crucible of creative innovation," said SRFTI VC Samiran Datta.
Both Kashyap's ‘Kok Kok Kokoook' and Tribeny Rai's ‘Shape of Momo' are in the festival's Vision Section.
Tribeny, whose Nepali language film explores themes of tradition, familial dynamics and the struggle against familial constraints, said: "I have watched films from that part of Asia and noticed cultural and spiritual similarities, which is why I'm excited to see how Korean audiences will resonate with the film.
" Kashyap's ‘Kok Kok Kokoook' is a magic realist horror drama. Set against the backdrop of a gritty yet scenic city, the film explores lives of migrants struggling for identity. "NE India has struggled with migration issues for decades. The film explores our present circumstances," Kashyap said.