NARRATIVE FEATURES IN COMPETITION

Six narrative feature films from across the world – Argentina, Canada, France, India, Italy & Pakistan – are nominated for the Best Narrative Feature Award worth Rs.30,000.

These films are also eligible for Best Performance in a Lead Role worth Rs.25,000 and Best Screenplay worth Rs.25,000 instituted in the memory of Dr. Arvind Vaman Kulkarni by his son & actor Abhay Kulkarni.

BLUE SUNSHINE Director: Samyuktha Vijayan 98 min | 2023 | India | Tamil Aravind, a high school teacher in a small town in South India, transitioned from male to female as Bhanu. While withstanding the strong opposition back at home and even at the school, Bhanu tries to protect the school’s topper student, Karthik who is being bullied by his classmates for his feminine demeanour. Unable to withstand the bullying, Karthik retaliates by wearing eyeliner and nail polish to the school. While Karthik wants to fight for his dignity, Bhanu wonders if she also has the chance to stand up for hers.

DUINO Directors: Juan Pablo Di Pace, Andrés Pepe Estrada 108 min | 2024 | USA, Argentina, Italy |English, Spanish Duino is a coming-of-age story that follows Matias, a gay Argentine filmmaker in his forties, struggling with an unfinished movie inspired by his elusive first love to Alexander, a Swedish friend he met at an international school in the 90’s. Shot in the beautiful locales of Duino in Italy, the film explores how we romanticize memories which sometimes can blind our path to love in the present.

KATLAA CURRY
(Original Title: કટલા કરી)
Director: Rohit Ganesh Prajapati
110 min | 2024 | India | Gujarati

Set in the sleepy fishing village along the banks of the river Narmada, a local fisherman Raaymal, pulls a young man Ratan adrift in his fishing net, setting off a journey of profound connection and self-discovery. As Raaymal discovers Ratan’s hidden struggle with his sexuality, he extends a helping hand to build a “new home”; and in his journey toward self-acceptance.

SINCE THE LAST TIME WE MET
(Original Title: Desde la ultima vez que nos vimos )
Director: Matias De Leis Correa
81 min | 2023 | Argentina | Spanish

Handsome and stylish Victor is reunited by chance with David, his first love, fifteen years after the last time they saw each other. This reunion revives the clandestine love they had when they were younger.

THE QUEEN OF MY DREAMS Director: Fawzia Mirza 96 min | 2023 | Canada, Pakistan | English, Urdu Azra, a Pakistani woman living in Toronto, is worlds apart from her conservative Muslim mother. When her father suddenly dies on a trip home to Pakistan, Azra finds herself on a Bollywood-inspired journey through memories, both real and imagined.

YOU PROMISED ME THE SEA
(Original Title: L’air de la mer rend libre)
Director: Nadir Moknèche
90 min | 2023 | France | French

French Brittany, nowadays. Still living at home, Saïd is carrying on a secret affair with Vincent. Unable to confront his family, he accepts an arranged marriage with Hadjira. She too has given in to her mother’s demands, following a romantic disappointment and trouble with the law. Trapped by their families, Saïd and Hadjira join forces to follow their own path to freedom.