Shape of Momo,’ ‘Fury’ Among Contenders for IFFI Goa’s Best Debut Feature Prize

According To The variety The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will spotlight emerging directors in its 56th edition through a competitive section featuring seven first-time filmmakers from across the globe. The festival has assembled five international titles alongside two Indian productions for its Best Debut Feature Film of a Director Award. The category’s victor takes home the Silver Peacock trophy along with INR10 lakh ($11,270) and a certificate of commendation. Indian director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra leads the jury evaluating the competition. He’s joined by Australian editor-director Graeme Clifford, German actor Katharina Schüttler, Sri Lankan filmmaker Chandran Rutnam and English cinematographer Remi Adefarasin. Among the international entries, Tribeni Rai’s “Shape of Momo” arrives with notable festival credentials. The Nepali-language feature was among five Asian projects spotlighted at the HAF Goes to Cannes market showcase and was a Film Bazaar Work-in-Progress selection before launching at Busan and competing for San Sebastián’s New Directors Award. The Sikkim-set story tracks a woman named Bishnu who challenges the status quo in her female-dominated household, pushing against patriarchal traditions. Spain’s Gemma Blasco makes her feature bow with “Fury,” which played both SXSW and San Sebastián earlier this year. The film examines sexual violence aftermath through an actor who processes her New Year’s Eve assault by performing “Medea,” while her brother struggles with guilt over the attack. Christina Tournatzés claimed director and screenwriter prizes at Munich for “Karla,” her German-language debut. The 1962-set true story dramatizes a young girl’s legal action against her father’s abuse. Estonia’s Tõnis Pill drew Fipresci jury prize attention at the SCHLINGEL fest with “Fränk,” tracking a 13-year-old’s struggle to adapt after domestic violence upends his life, until an unusual friendship provides direction. Estonia’s Tõnis Pill drew Fipresci jury prize attention at the SCHLINGEL fest with “Fränk,” tracking a 13-year-old’s struggle to adapt after domestic violence upends his life, until an unusual friendship provides direction. Iranian helmer Hesam Farahmand, previously known for shorts and documentaries, tackles class tension in “My Daughter’s Hair.” The narrative kicks off when a father sells his child’s hair to afford a laptop, only to face ownership claims from a wealthy family. Mexico’s Ernesto Martínez Bucio captured Berlin’s new Perspectives competition with “The Devil Smokes.” His feature depicts five children left alone who project their fears through their grandmother’s mental illness The Indian entries also include Shivraj Waichal’s Marathi feature “Ata Thambaycha Naay!” (Now, there’s no stopping!), based on actual events involving Mumbai sanitation workers who pursued education later in life with encouragement from a municipal officer.