Thundering Response for Indian Film SIFAR in the International Film Festival Circuit

by Shrutee K/DNS

Mumbai: An adaptation of O.Henry's popular short story  "The Gift of Magi", the film SIFAR is setting records ablaze in the festival circuit. With 25 awards and counting in the festival circuit, the movie is simply unstoppable.

“The film, directed with good pace and with the right amount of drama and emotional drive, has also a tragic ending that leaves the spectator speechless.” – states the jury at the Rome Prisma Awards.

The film remains one of the few Indian films to have done well in Los Angeles, Miami, Venezuela, Chile, London, Berlin, Bhutan, Israel, Rome, Bordeaux and most of the Indian festivals. 

The film has emerged out as a winner in CKF International Film Festival, England in the Best Feature film category, Crown Wood International Film Festival - Best Indian Feature, Cult Critic Movie Awards - Best Debut Director, Calcutta International Film Festival - Best Debut Director, Mahul Woods International Film Festival - Outstanding Achievement Award  for Best Feature film and Debut Director.

The film was also the winner in Virgin Spring Cinefest, L'Age d'Or International Arthouse Film Festival, Los Angeles Film Awards and Bacala International Film Festival,Mexico. The film was awarded in Five Continents International Film Festival – Venezuela as the Best Independent Feature film and also won the award for Best actress in a leading role and Best Music and Background score.

The film continued its winning run at the Gold Movie Awards, London and at Druk International film festival where the film received awards under multiple categories. In Chile at the South Film and Arts Academy festival the film continued its winning spree with 8 awards including Best Drama Feature Film, Best Screenplay and Best actress in a leading role. In other festivals the film got selected as a Finalist at Oniros Film Awards, Italy and ended as a semi-finalist in Near Nazareth festival, Israel. The film also got officially selected in the Rome Independent PRISMA awards, Miami Independent Film Festival, Berlin Flash Film festival and New York Aphrodite film awards where the results are awaited.

The film is starring Sudha Chandran along with Anang Desai, Mushtaq Khan, Former Miss Asia-Kanikka Kapur and Varun Narula of MTV Love School Fame.

“Absolutely ecstatic with the way SIFAR has performed – but even happier that its an Indian film that shines internationally. There is no better feeling when you see your films name on top along with the country of origin as India. Seeing the nation’s name on top just adds another rush. Once we close out the festival circuit – we truly wish the film carries the same momentum at the box office as well.” says the director Dhruv Sachdev of the film.