On the fourth day of Annecy, 12 June, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as the Feature Film MIFA Pitches and the Namaste MIFA – India Partner Pitch took center stage. Among the standout moments, Pari Satarkar’s भरतीच्या लाटा (Rising Tides) emerged victorious in the Short Film Category – Animation du Monde, captivating audiences with its poignant narrative.
The Animation du Monde program, inaugurated in 2015, serves as a platform to showcase animation from regions where the industry is burgeoning, hindered only by limitations in resources, funding, or training. Its overarching goal is to democratise opportunities within the animation sphere, fostering diversity and uncovering promising talent, with Mifa and the Annecy Festival serving as pivotal hubs for this global endeavor.
भरतीच्या लाटा (Rising Tides) is a 2D animation short film where a marine researcher strains her friendship with the young fisherman’s daughter over industrial fishing. She realises she needs to change her own perspective to share the beauty and value of the marine world.
For Satarkar, the crux of her vision lies in the interconnectedness of environmental stewardship and collective responsibility. Through Rising Tides, she endeavours to navigate the delicate balance between conservation and consumption, arming audiences with knowledge to effect tangible change. “To amplify underrepresented Indian narratives and ecological themes through film, I established Studio Mikudi,” she affirmed ahead of the event.
At Namaste MIFA, six Indian creators pitched four unforgettable stories, each project being a testament to the rich tapestry of Indian culture and creativity.
