Guwahati, April 27: In a proud moment for Indian cinema, A Doll Made Up of Clay, a student production from Kolkata’s Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), has been officially selected for the prestigious La Cinef section at the 78th Festival de Cannes 2025.
It stands as the only Indian entry in this category, marking a significant milestone in India’s cinematic education journey.
La Cinef, created in 1998, is a dedicated section of the Cannes Film Festival that highlights short and medium-length films made by students from leading film schools worldwide.
Designed to discover and nurture the next generation of filmmakers, La Cinef receives thousands of submissions each year, selecting only a handful to compete for top honours.
The 23-minute experimental film A Doll Made Up of Clay tells the story of a young Nigerian athlete who sells his father’s land to chase his dream of becoming a professional footballer in India. When a career-ending injury leaves him stranded and disillusioned, he embarks on a journey of physical, emotional, and spiritual rediscovery, reconnecting with the ancestral traditions of his homeland.
The film offers a powerful meditation on displacement, loss, and cultural resilience.
Produced under SRFTI’s Producing for Film and Television (PFT) department, the film is a vibrant example of cross-border collaboration. It was produced by Sahil Manoj Ingle, a PFT student, and directed by Kokob Gebrehaweria Tesfay, an Ethiopian student at SRFTI under the ICCR African Scholarship program.
“The Cannes selection is a dream realized and proof of global thinking within SRFTI’s walls,” said producer Sahil Manoj Ingle. Echoing the sentiment, director Kokob Gebrehaweria Tesfay noted, “This deeply personal story speaks to the journey of dreamers who navigate new challenges, reshaping who they are. Cannes celebrates resilience and untold stories.”
Prof. Sukanta Majumdar, Dean of SRFTI, expressed his delight: “Any cinematic expressions of our students when recognized on a prestigious global platform make us feel reassured. This is a huge moment of honour for us, and we are very proud of our students. I wish them the very best for the competition.”
The film’s team reflects an impressive international collaboration.
Founded in 1995 and named after legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, SRFTI has consistently nurtured emerging storytellers, building a legacy of excellence in cinematic education.
The 78th Festival de Cannes will be held this May in France, where A Doll Made Up of Clay will compete alongside other standout works from the world’s top film schools, embodying dreams, resilience, and the spirit of global collaboration.
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