Kautik Film Festival - A tranquil change from the hurly-burly festival circuit

International Film Festival on the Banks of the Ganges in the Himalayas Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, Nov 28, 2023. The tranquil banks of the Ganges will come alive with cinematic brilliance as Uttarakhand proudly presents the 7th Kautik International Film Festival, December 2 to 4, 2023, at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh.

Kautik is a local gem that has grown into a global phenomenon. The first two editions were hosted in association with Kumaun University, Nainital, and primarily showcased the creative talents of student filmmakers. Subsequent editions took place in partnership with the District Magistrate of Marchula, at the serene outskirts of the Jim Corbett National Park, infusing an atmosphere of energy, adventure, and excitement. Marking a major milestone, this year, Kautik journeys to the Himalayas. For, “spirituality is the utmost necessity of our present time,” says festival director Rajesh ‘Kaku’ Shah, the focus puller of hit films such as Johnny Gaddar, 3 Idiots, and Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Artistic director Shalini Shah adds that “there is too much of disturbance going on in the world right now, and therefore Kautik 2023 would be a dedicated time and space for peace, reflection, and healing.” “In moments of chaos, despair, and distress, the eyes of the world traditionally fall upon India for solace,” says chief advisory board member Christopher Dalton. To honour this sentiment, alongside the regular film screenings, panel discussions Yagna, and master classes, the early mornings would start with Havan and Yagna, and at sunset there would be Aarti at the Ganges. Essentially, meditation. The highly anticipated line-up of films includes a diverse selection of feature, short fiction, documentary and animation films from a variety of countries, namely, Switzerland, Spain, Poland, Ukraine, Romania, Russia, Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, South Africa, Canada, and, of course, India. The opening film is The Hired Hand from Iran. The centrepiece film is Anastasia's Diary from Poland. And the closing film is Loneliness of the Bear from Belgium. Complete list of films 5 More Minutes — Alberto Niculae, Romania | 00:13:35 A Winner — Mehdi Mahaei, Iran | 00:19:59 An Angry Knock — Sarbast Raza Carmiany, Canada | 00:13:07 Anastasia's Diary — Maxim Bujnicki, Poland | 00:20:06 Bandit's Bazooka — Divyesh Gandhi, India | 00:29:59 Big Day — Ahmed Samir, Egypt | 00:14:46 Crux — Colin Van der Straeten, France | 00:23:24 Dark Dreamer — Max Ponischowski, Germany | 00:13:00 Downstairs — Mahdyar Shahrisvand, Iran | 00:15:48 Fatih the Conqueror — Onur Yagiz, France | 00:15:00 Happy Land — Nour Khair Alanam, Syria | 00:23:30 Hide and Seek — Karolina Belka, Poland | 00:07:58 If Only Trees Could Talk — Bobby Sarma Baruah, India | 01:44:00 Latir Amargo — Yolanda Belvis, Spain | 00:16:57 Loneliness of the Bear — Grégory Lecocq, Belgium | 00:17:00 Louse — Parisa Shams, Iran | 00:14:59 Mahrokh's doll — Mojtaba Zare, Maryam Javaheri, Iran | 00:10:40 Marie — Anna Maconi, Belgium | 00:20:00 Me Llamo Juan — Francisco Yélamos MartÍn, Spain | 00:15:00 My Mother's Daughter — Ahmen Khawaja, Mariam Khan, Pakistan | 00:14:30 Myosotis — Michael Schwendinger, Switzerland | 00:15:00 Oh, Whose is the Rye — Anna Shveigolz, Russia | 00:06:51 On Either Sides of the Pond — Parth Saurabh, India | 01:44:50 On/Off — Jurg Slabbert, S. Africa | 00:17:54 Pataal-Tee — Mukund Narayan, Santosh Singh, India | 00:24:10 Perpetual Search — Gopal Shivakoti, Nepal | 00:13:17 Quino's Dream — Santiago Erlick, Spain | 00:08:00 Skyless Star — Hamed Nazari, Afghanistan | 00:17:09 Son of Man — Sepideh Mirhoseini, Iran | 01:34:00 Stains — Sofie Krogh Grud, Denmark | 00:18:59 Tacking — Jakub Laskowski, Poland | 00:22:30 The Encounter — Aleksandra Krivolutskaia, Russia | 00:05:52 The Hired Hand — Mohammad Reza Keshavarz Feyz Asa, Iran | 00:14:59 The Librarian — Serkan Aktaş, Turkey | 00:20:43 The University of Death — Yaser Moinfar, Iran | 00:10:30 Volte Face — Cédrick Spinassou, France | 00:11:00 We Need to Focus — Marcin Zydek, Poland | 00:07:35