Nimmala’s ‘Osey Balamma’ To Feature At 2026 Sundance Festival

This is a rare honour for Indian regional cinema as Osey Balamma is one among the only 50 short films selected from nearly 11,000 global submissions.

Significantly, it is the first-ever Telugu film to compete at the prestigious American festival, regarded as the most influential independent film festival in the world. Osey Balamma places Telugu storytelling in the spotlight on an international stage.

On the occasion, addressing a press conference in Vijayawada on Saturday, Raman Nimmala said his inspiration for the short film are memories of summers spent at his grandmother’s home in Andhra Pradesh.

The film explores the tender, layered relationship between a matriarch and her housekeeper-caregiver.

Nimmala explained that through quotidian moments, quiet exchanges, gentle teasing, and shared silences, the film captures the subtle interplay of affection, hierarchy, and emotional dependence.

For the filmmaker, who traces his roots to Tiruvuru in NTR district of Andhra Pradesh, the selection marks a significant milestone in his artistic journey.

Nimmala disclosed that the official announcement of the Sundance selection will only be made on January 22. He said this is an inspiration for him to create more films rooted in Indian culture and human emotions.