top of page
.png)
MICFF इंडिया
Mumbai International Cult Film Festival
MICFF NOMINEES 2020
List of Nominated films (Official Nomination) in Competition Category
Best Indian Short
Bhasan
Trisha Nandi
Khisa
Raj Pritam More
Film Synopsis:
Story of a young boy who lives in a remote village in Maharashtra. He decides to get a large pocket stitched for his school shirt, in which he keeps all his precious belongings - petals, coins, marble balls; A pocket, he is proud of. It sets him apart from others his age, whose pockets are not only smaller in comparison but also ordinary and similar to each other in appearance.
The little boy does not understand the politics of symbolism that adults engage in, and his pocket soon becomes a point of contention amongst elders in the village ...
This tragic story of the loss of innocence and coming-of-age of a young boy, is ironically symbolic of the times we live in.
Film Synopsis:
Story of a young boy who lives in a remote village in Maharashtra. He decides to get a large pocket stitched for his school shirt, in which he keeps all his precious belongings - petals, coins, marble balls; A pocket, he is proud of. It sets him apart from others his age, whose pockets are not only smaller in comparison but also ordinary and similar to each other in appearance.
The little boy does not understand the politics of symbolism that adults engage in, and his pocket soon becomes a point of contention amongst elders in the village ...
This tragic story of the loss of innocence and coming-of-age of a young boy, is ironically symbolic of the times we live in.
Iddah
Shammas Jamsheer
Film Synopsis:
Imagine a grieving woman who has no choice but to remain virtually confined within the walls of a closed room for months, barred from meeting people who should consoled her and brought her out of grief and sense of loneliness. The movie portrays such a hapless woman, Qamarunnisah. Hailing from a traditional Muslim family, she finds herself within the confines of the room for a period of over four months - ‘Iddah’ (waiting period ) - after her husband's demise. She is disconnected from the outside world for four months and ten days.
Film Synopsis:
Imagine a grieving woman who has no choice but to remain virtually confined within the walls of a closed room for months, barred from meeting people who should consoled her and brought her out of grief and sense of loneliness. The movie portrays such a hapless woman, Qamarunnisah. Hailing from a traditional Muslim family, she finds herself within the confines of the room for a period of over four months - ‘Iddah’ (waiting period ) - after her husband's demise. She is disconnected from the outside world for four months and ten days.
Newborn poetry
L.Priyanka
Film Synopsis:
Film 'Newborn poetry' is about a girl who likes to write poetry in her own style without any barriers, so she explore the world around her by her own and imagine it in her own artistic way. The film tries to explore the people, culture, language, folk art and geography of the region in a poetic way.
Film Synopsis:
Film 'Newborn poetry' is about a girl who likes to write poetry in her own style without any barriers, so she explore the world around her by her own and imagine it in her own artistic way. The film tries to explore the people, culture, language, folk art and geography of the region in a poetic way.
GUILT
Omkar Madhav Joshi
Film Synopsis:
A shocking incident leaves a mother (Madhura Velankar) questioning the sanctity of the mother-child bond and she hopes her psychology professor (Mohan Joshi) will help her find answers to this agonizing situation that she has found herself in.
Film Synopsis:
A shocking incident leaves a mother (Madhura Velankar) questioning the sanctity of the mother-child bond and she hopes her psychology professor (Mohan Joshi) will help her find answers to this agonizing situation that she has found herself in.
Paath
Karan Singh Rathore
Film Synopsis:
Story about a girl who becomes a victim of Bride trafficking that has been taking place in certain parts in India
Film Synopsis:
Story about a girl who becomes a victim of Bride trafficking that has been taking place in certain parts in India
Duggi
Sagnik Chatterjee
Film Synopsis:
Uma, a 28-year-old corporate employee lives with her husband somewhere near Bagmari bazar (Kolkata). Having a huge professional pressure with several overtimes, night shifts and office tours, she couldn't manage to meet her father since last 1.5 years, even though her father also lives in the same city. Finally, Uma plans to meet her father on the last day of Durga Puja (Bengali festival). But on that day, suddenly her father disappears. Uma spends a whole day in her father's place eagerly waiting for him to come back safe and thus, she discovers some unknown facts about her father's life which leave her shocked.
Film Synopsis:
Uma, a 28-year-old corporate employee lives with her husband somewhere near Bagmari bazar (Kolkata). Having a huge professional pressure with several overtimes, night shifts and office tours, she couldn't manage to meet her father since last 1.5 years, even though her father also lives in the same city. Finally, Uma plans to meet her father on the last day of Durga Puja (Bengali festival). But on that day, suddenly her father disappears. Uma spends a whole day in her father's place eagerly waiting for him to come back safe and thus, she discovers some unknown facts about her father's life which leave her shocked.
Poet In Two Worlds
Swapnil Vasant Lata Kapure
Film Synopsis:
Rajendra Shekate - Raja - is an unemployed rural young with M.A. B.Ed. who fells to secure a job. His passion for writing poetry adds to the fury of his father who expects Raja to at least work in their own soya bean farm. Raja's mother is always entangled in the fights between father and son, while Raja is muddled between his love for poetry and inevitable farming.
The village, its traditional order of living, people, their varying emotions and their struggle for existence are the sources of inspiration for Raja's words. Raja witnesses them all empathetically. He pens it differently. Once, Raja gets an invitation for a lit-fest in City and a whole new world is unleashed to him. A world where he would only dream to be. It is a platform where Raja expects his poetry to be appreciated. But at this very hour, village is going through few unexpected incidences which make the whole surroundings hostile, especially to the farmers. Such unpredictable background has always pulled Raja back from stepping ahead. This time Raja prefers to chase his dreams abandoning his rural and agrarian burdens. But this choice ensnarls him into a bitter reality of both these worlds.
Film Synopsis:
Rajendra Shekate - Raja - is an unemployed rural young with M.A. B.Ed. who fells to secure a job. His passion for writing poetry adds to the fury of his father who expects Raja to at least work in their own soya bean farm. Raja's mother is always entangled in the fights between father and son, while Raja is muddled between his love for poetry and inevitable farming.
The village, its traditional order of living, people, their varying emotions and their struggle for existence are the sources of inspiration for Raja's words. Raja witnesses them all empathetically. He pens it differently. Once, Raja gets an invitation for a lit-fest in City and a whole new world is unleashed to him. A world where he would only dream to be. It is a platform where Raja expects his poetry to be appreciated. But at this very hour, village is going through few unexpected incidences which make the whole surroundings hostile, especially to the farmers. Such unpredictable background has always pulled Raja back from stepping ahead. This time Raja prefers to chase his dreams abandoning his rural and agrarian burdens. But this choice ensnarls him into a bitter reality of both these worlds.
Mai Kal Marega
Nishant Jethva
Film Synopsis:
Heartbroken after a break-up, a suicidal man's life changes one night after a series of misfortunate events take place in his life.
Film Synopsis:
Heartbroken after a break-up, a suicidal man's life changes one night after a series of misfortunate events take place in his life.
Love Ishtory
Veenit Katariia
Film Synopsis:
Love Ishtory is dramatical take on the casteism issue fructifying in our country. It’s a story of a young couple facing opposition on their affair. Chavi is from a brahmin family while Aakash belongs to a backward caste.
Chhavi’s father, Bhaskar Shukla, is an influential personality. His daughter’s desire to marry a lower caste boy has shaken him up. Bhaskar ordered the local inspector Dubey Ji to catch Aakash to rough him up.
It is a story of that day on which all this unfolds. Keeping the adrenaline high, the film progresses to reach a point where Chhavi’s elder brother Vicky is ready to blow Aakash’s head off.
Will this classic tale of casteism end in another honour killing?
Will the society again be a mute spectator to a horrific incident?
Film Synopsis:
Love Ishtory is dramatical take on the casteism issue fructifying in our country. It’s a story of a young couple facing opposition on their affair. Chavi is from a brahmin family while Aakash belongs to a backward caste.
Chhavi’s father, Bhaskar Shukla, is an influential personality. His daughter’s desire to marry a lower caste boy has shaken him up. Bhaskar ordered the local inspector Dubey Ji to catch Aakash to rough him up.
It is a story of that day on which all this unfolds. Keeping the adrenaline high, the film progresses to reach a point where Chhavi’s elder brother Vicky is ready to blow Aakash’s head off.
Will this classic tale of casteism end in another honour killing?
Will the society again be a mute spectator to a horrific incident?
Dahej Ka Scooter (India)
Rahul bhatnagar
Set in Old Delhi, ‘Dahej ka Scooter’ is an eventful
love story of a young boy-Nakul (the ideal
Sharma ji ka beta) who is soon to get hitched.
The story revolves around a strange ancestral
tradition followed by his family according to which
Nakul and his soon-to-be-wife Pihu would have to
ride back home from the ‘mandap’ on a
‘pushtaini’ scooter on their wedding day.
Set in Old Delhi, ‘Dahej ka Scooter’ is an eventful
love story of a young boy-Nakul (the ideal
Sharma ji ka beta) who is soon to get hitched.
The story revolves around a strange ancestral
tradition followed by his family according to which
Nakul and his soon-to-be-wife Pihu would have to
ride back home from the ‘mandap’ on a
‘pushtaini’ scooter on their wedding day.
The Veil (India)
Dave Deohans
Dan, a 22 year old, jobless, finance graduate finally gets himself employed but at the cost of stumbling into a supernatural force caused by a natural disaster on the day of his interview. Which makes him believe that every day of his life he will now encounter different realities very similar to ours with just minute differences like their notion of left and right being reversed or red and blue.
Dan, a 22 year old, jobless, finance graduate finally gets himself employed but at the cost of stumbling into a supernatural force caused by a natural disaster on the day of his interview. Which makes him believe that every day of his life he will now encounter different realities very similar to ours with just minute differences like their notion of left and right being reversed or red and blue.
Spiral - Lost in Lockdown
Kush Gupta
Baitullah
Jitendra Rai
Millions of children are engaged in child labour in India, in an increasingly growing number every year. And with that, millions of childhood dreams are never realised as a result of a lack of education. Baitullah is the story of one such child, with a dream, surviving in the maddening metropolis of Mumbai, waiting for someone to notice.
Millions of children are engaged in child labour in India, in an increasingly growing number every year. And with that, millions of childhood dreams are never realised as a result of a lack of education. Baitullah is the story of one such child, with a dream, surviving in the maddening metropolis of Mumbai, waiting for someone to notice.
Nilesh Arun Kunjir
Shevanti
Best International Short
Sour Cream (Russian Federation)
Irina Vinogradova
________________________
Film Synopsis:
The film talks about the fate of teenagers Ulya and Mathew, from a small town where eve-ryone knows each other. An abandoned field near the highway has become a hiding place for them. There, in the tall grass, they managed to hide from prying eyes. And the adult world, with all its rudeness and despair, existed in parallel, no chance of intruding. It seemed, that no one could take away the last days of their passing childhood, with their first love and pleasures that only they could appreciate like bread with sour cream.
________________________
________________________
Film Synopsis:
The film talks about the fate of teenagers Ulya and Mathew, from a small town where eve-ryone knows each other. An abandoned field near the highway has become a hiding place for them. There, in the tall grass, they managed to hide from prying eyes. And the adult world, with all its rudeness and despair, existed in parallel, no chance of intruding. It seemed, that no one could take away the last days of their passing childhood, with their first love and pleasures that only they could appreciate like bread with sour cream.
________________________
Mum's Hairpins (Russian Federation)
Tatiana Fedorovskaya
Film Synopsis:
Jewish shtetl, Ukraine, 1941. A box with mother’s hairpins – the only thing left from his family – is Yasha’s last chance to escape German invaders and rescue his new friend, a wounded goat kid.
Film Synopsis:
Jewish shtetl, Ukraine, 1941. A box with mother’s hairpins – the only thing left from his family – is Yasha’s last chance to escape German invaders and rescue his new friend, a wounded goat kid.
Blue Blue Sky (Switzerland)
Bigna Tomschin (Switzerland)
________________________
Film Synopsis:
It’s the summer holidays and 11-year old Maria has stopped talking. Instead of going to football practice she secretly spends time in her grandmother’s empty apartment, thinking about life and death.
________________________
________________________
Film Synopsis:
It’s the summer holidays and 11-year old Maria has stopped talking. Instead of going to football practice she secretly spends time in her grandmother’s empty apartment, thinking about life and death.
________________________
Cloak (Iran)
Naghmeh Maghsoudlou
Film Synopsis:
A "Cloak" ensures the security of a father and daughter’s livelihood on the roads around Tehran.
Film Synopsis:
A "Cloak" ensures the security of a father and daughter’s livelihood on the roads around Tehran.
El Arrimo (Colombia)
Jaime Andres Roa Ariza
Film Synopsis:
A farm divided into two parts unleashes a fight to the death between Carlos and Humberto, two peasant brothers who dispute to have the greatest amount of land in the inheritance that their father left them.
Film Synopsis:
A farm divided into two parts unleashes a fight to the death between Carlos and Humberto, two peasant brothers who dispute to have the greatest amount of land in the inheritance that their father left them.
L'oro Di Famiglia (Italy)
Emanuele Pisano
Film Synopsis:
A young petty thief and a male robbery. Among the stolen Goods, an object captures his attention: not gold, not silver and not ancient memorabilia, but something much more precious than the worth returning.
Film Synopsis:
A young petty thief and a male robbery. Among the stolen Goods, an object captures his attention: not gold, not silver and not ancient memorabilia, but something much more precious than the worth returning.
Miss You Dad (United States)
Neera Zaveri
________________________
Film Synopsis:
After the death of her father, Ava processes the memories of her seemingly perfect childhood, struggling to come to terms with her parents’ role in destroying her innocence.
________________________
________________________
Film Synopsis:
After the death of her father, Ava processes the memories of her seemingly perfect childhood, struggling to come to terms with her parents’ role in destroying her innocence.
________________________
Juicy Girl (Republic Of Korea)
MJ KIM
Film Synopsis:
‘Juicy Girl’ is based on events surrounding the murders of several of the many Korean women committed by US Army personnel since the Korean War of the 1950’s.
Film Synopsis:
‘Juicy Girl’ is based on events surrounding the murders of several of the many Korean women committed by US Army personnel since the Korean War of the 1950’s.
Paese Che Vai (Italy)
Luca Padrini
Film Synopsis:
Set in a small town in the Italian countryside, a young and handsome Alfredo returns home after a long time along with his partner Mattia, an African American man. After meeting Alfredo's grandmother, the sweet and crazy Donna Maria, the pair go to see Alfredo's father, Sor Pucci. Alfredo must break the news to his old-fashioned father about his secret. Little did he know his secret will churn into a series of unexpected comic events. This tongue-in-cheek comedy runs parallels alongside on the choices we make.
Film Synopsis:
Set in a small town in the Italian countryside, a young and handsome Alfredo returns home after a long time along with his partner Mattia, an African American man. After meeting Alfredo's grandmother, the sweet and crazy Donna Maria, the pair go to see Alfredo's father, Sor Pucci. Alfredo must break the news to his old-fashioned father about his secret. Little did he know his secret will churn into a series of unexpected comic events. This tongue-in-cheek comedy runs parallels alongside on the choices we make.
The Request (Mexico)
Rubí Salles
Film Synopsis:
Luis is nine years old and lives the constant absence of his mother. Mrs. Acela has an unusual job, helps 'to die', but her son does not know exactly what his job is and all the time he is worried. About to turn years Luis makes a request that will mark his life.
Film Synopsis:
Luis is nine years old and lives the constant absence of his mother. Mrs. Acela has an unusual job, helps 'to die', but her son does not know exactly what his job is and all the time he is worried. About to turn years Luis makes a request that will mark his life.
Butterfly (US)
Bonnie Foster
A fashion model leaves her life for the desert...and meets a mysterious stranger who finally brings the change she's been looking for.
A fashion model leaves her life for the desert...and meets a mysterious stranger who finally brings the change she's been looking for.
IL VESTITO (Italy)
Maurizio Ravallese
An immigrant works in a laundry to buy a wedding suit. One day he is found stealing a suit from a sick groom who has just been left at the altar. To atone for his sins, he will have to avenge the robbed man.
An immigrant works in a laundry to buy a wedding suit. One day he is found stealing a suit from a sick groom who has just been left at the altar. To atone for his sins, he will have to avenge the robbed man.
The McHenry Trial (US)
Ken Sagoes
A young and brilliant academic phenom who not only passes the bar exam at age 14 but finds himself defending his homeless father on a murder charge when few believe he is innocent. He faces a shrewd law firm, an old school segregationist judge, and an arrogant prosecutor who is preparing to celebrate his 50th consecutive case win.
A young and brilliant academic phenom who not only passes the bar exam at age 14 but finds himself defending his homeless father on a murder charge when few believe he is innocent. He faces a shrewd law firm, an old school segregationist judge, and an arrogant prosecutor who is preparing to celebrate his 50th consecutive case win.
Mermaid (Iran)
Saber Mostafapour
Milad (Boy's name) abandons home and school to preserve her identity and having nowhere to go, she lives in ruins. Three rapist classmates who are tired of her absence, chase after her in secret and find her in a feminine appearance
Milad (Boy's name) abandons home and school to preserve her identity and having nowhere to go, she lives in ruins. Three rapist classmates who are tired of her absence, chase after her in secret and find her in a feminine appearance
Best Film On Women
Masoomeh (Iran)
Alireza Mokhtari Azad
Film Synopsis:
A fragment from a married woman's life from a lower class family
Film Synopsis:
A fragment from a married woman's life from a lower class family
Anna (United Kingdom)
Dekel Berenson
Film Synopsis:
Living in war-torn Eastern Ukraine, Anna is an aging single mother who is desperate for a change. Lured by a radio advertisement, she goes to party with a group of American men who are touring the country, searching for love.
Film Synopsis:
Living in war-torn Eastern Ukraine, Anna is an aging single mother who is desperate for a change. Lured by a radio advertisement, she goes to party with a group of American men who are touring the country, searching for love.
Told (Portugal)
Ainá Rocha
Film Synopsis:
Documentary of the unconscious. A journey through the memory and the ruins.
Film Synopsis:
Documentary of the unconscious. A journey through the memory and the ruins.
Raheel (Iran)
Ayat asadi rahbar
Film Synopsis:
Raheel , an Afghan national, has illegally traveled to Iran to look for her husband, but there comes up some problems that leave her no hope to move ahead.
Film Synopsis:
Raheel , an Afghan national, has illegally traveled to Iran to look for her husband, but there comes up some problems that leave her no hope to move ahead.
To The Unknown God (Italy)
Rodolfo BisattiI
Film Synopsis:
Lucia lives alone with her 17th years old son Gabriel. Her husband left once their first daughter Anna, died of leukaemia, 8 years ago. Lucia works in a Hospice, where she befriends a retired professor, Redetti (Paolo Bonacelli) and other patients, who are unaware of her personal tragedy and that will become “teachers” for her. Over time, they help her to understand how to “live the unliveable”. Giulio Redetti in particular, will talk to her about his own experiences, showing her how to deal with her angst. Gabriel, Lucia’s son, handles his sufferance for his sister’s loss adopting a fearless way of living, in order to prove to himself and to his mother that to live include the risk of dying. Giulio Redetti’ and Gabriel’ choices overlap inside Lucia, driving her to a new awareness.
Film Synopsis:
Film Synopsis:
Lucia lives alone with her 17th years old son Gabriel. Her husband left once their first daughter Anna, died of leukaemia, 8 years ago. Lucia works in a Hospice, where she befriends a retired professor, Redetti (Paolo Bonacelli) and other patients, who are unaware of her personal tragedy and that will become “teachers” for her. Over time, they help her to understand how to “live the unliveable”. Giulio Redetti in particular, will talk to her about his own experiences, showing her how to deal with her angst. Gabriel, Lucia’s son, handles his sufferance for his sister’s loss adopting a fearless way of living, in order to prove to himself and to his mother that to live include the risk of dying. Giulio Redetti’ and Gabriel’ choices overlap inside Lucia, driving her to a new awareness.
Film Synopsis:
Sweet Memories (India)
M.R.Bharathi
Film Synopsis:
A Award winning writer meet his girl friend after 24 years and then after 24 hours what will happen?
Film Synopsis:
A Award winning writer meet his girl friend after 24 years and then after 24 hours what will happen?
माझं पण लग्न होईल.(India)
Chandrashekhar Parab, Raunaq Sahni
Film Synopsis:
A documentary focussing exclusively on what it means to be a growing up in a Traditional Maharashtrian Family in India. And being lesbian wedding photographer without the support of the family.The kind of discrimination and bigotry is faced in her daily life and how still she is managed to triumph all in the hope that ‘Yes I too shall be married one day!’
Film Synopsis:
A documentary focussing exclusively on what it means to be a growing up in a Traditional Maharashtrian Family in India. And being lesbian wedding photographer without the support of the family.The kind of discrimination and bigotry is faced in her daily life and how still she is managed to triumph all in the hope that ‘Yes I too shall be married one day!’
Dhumkkudiya (India)
Nandlal Nayak
Film Synopsis:
Budhwa - a native tribal realizes his true identity while serving to his rich masters. Despite being an integral part of the Tribal Community, Budhwa sabotaged its own people, culture, Identity, and beliefs in pursuit of his greed.
Film Synopsis:
Budhwa - a native tribal realizes his true identity while serving to his rich masters. Despite being an integral part of the Tribal Community, Budhwa sabotaged its own people, culture, Identity, and beliefs in pursuit of his greed.
Under The Weight Of Remorse (Brazil)
Lília Moema Santana
Film Synopsis:
Four women, Adelaide, Gloria, Isabel Cristina and Maria Eduarda, are in the reception room of a hospital. Even without knowing each other and taking advantage of this waiting time to be attended, they recount their lives until arriving at that hospital trying to understand what led them there. After several coincidences in their stories, they discover that their lives are linked to the same person, a man named Carlos Cesar. This unusual encounter involves drama, suspense and humor leading the viewer to the same sensations and feelings that the characters experience until culminating in a great discovery.
Film Synopsis:
Four women, Adelaide, Gloria, Isabel Cristina and Maria Eduarda, are in the reception room of a hospital. Even without knowing each other and taking advantage of this waiting time to be attended, they recount their lives until arriving at that hospital trying to understand what led them there. After several coincidences in their stories, they discover that their lives are linked to the same person, a man named Carlos Cesar. This unusual encounter involves drama, suspense and humor leading the viewer to the same sensations and feelings that the characters experience until culminating in a great discovery.
By The Window (India)
Madhura Dalimbkar
Film Synopsis:
How much do we really know about the struggles of that person sitting right next to us? How difficult, or easy is it to keep an open heart for people around us? ‘By the window’ opens the doors to start a conversation to create a safe space, especially among women, where we can lend a comforting ear to one another. We go through almost similar experiences as women but never talk about it freely due to the abundance of judgement, and lack of empathy. And when we do open up, we realize that we’re not as alone as we think we are. What makes the difference is listening with an open heart.v
Film Synopsis:
How much do we really know about the struggles of that person sitting right next to us? How difficult, or easy is it to keep an open heart for people around us? ‘By the window’ opens the doors to start a conversation to create a safe space, especially among women, where we can lend a comforting ear to one another. We go through almost similar experiences as women but never talk about it freely due to the abundance of judgement, and lack of empathy. And when we do open up, we realize that we’re not as alone as we think we are. What makes the difference is listening with an open heart.v