The name Mini-MIFF itself means a lot. The Mumbai International Film Festival's (MIFF) bests are being brought together at a one-stop point in the capital city. The Films Division, Banner Film Society and Kerala State Chalachitra Academy are coming together to bring the award-winning films from one of India's prestigious film festivals down south to Kerala. Lenin Balavadi plays host to the two-day fest on coming Sunday and Monday.
“Documentaries, short films and animation films are coming up for screening. In the state, this is the only venue where the MIFF bests are shown in a film festival. Winning films in the latest edition of MIFF are brought here,” says K.J. Siju, president of Banner Film Society.
The fest opens with the 3D animation film Chhaya by Debanjan Nandi, a movie that went on to win several laurels internationally. The film done in a mixed media format revolves around an old widower, who conjures up the images of his departed wife through shadows.
Other films on day one are The Last Mango before the Monsoon, The Immortals, My Name is Salt, Solo Finale, Phum Shang, Famous in Ahmedabad, Letter from Korlai, Golden Bird, Alice, Agli Baar, Existence and Fireflies in the Abyss.
The second day starts with screening animator/ad-man Suresh Kumar Eriyat’s widely acclaimed animation video Fisherwoman and Tuk Tuk. The film netted the award for best animation film at the 63rd National Film Awards. It’s a take on a middle-aged fisherwoman's longing to own an autorickshaw and its aftermath. The film also went on to win the Award for Excellence at the Tokyo Anime Awards Festival in 2016. The screening that begins at 4 pm progresses into 18 Feet, Nuptial Memoirs and The Queen of Silence. Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairman Kamal will inaugurate the festival on Sunday. Entry is open to all.
