SRFTI film on Nigerian footballer selected for Cannes festival
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Kolkata: A short film from SRFTI featuring a 23-year-old
Nigerian footballer
, who came to play seven-side games in the city and ended up being an actor, was officially selected for the 78th Festival de Cannes 2025 in the prestigious La Cinef section. '
A Doll Made Up of Clay
', directed by an Ethiopian student of SRFTI and presented by the institute's department of producing for film & TV, became the fourth student film from the institute to secure an official place at Cannes.
The Yoruba and Bengali-language film, written and directed by Kokob Gebrehweria Tesfay and produced by Sahil Manoj Ingle of SRFTI, tells the story of a young Nigerian footballer. After selling his father's land to pursue a football career in India, the protagonist suffered a devastating injury that shattered his dreams. Struggling with loss and desperation, he sought solace and escape through the healing power of his ancestral rituals. "This is an exercise where producing students of our institute spearhead the project. This department is new and has been successfully doing interesting work. Cinef is a very prestigious students' film segment at Cannes and we are thrilled with this achievement," said SRFTI director Samiran Datta.
Describing this film as part of the institute's zero-budget programme, Ingle said: "SRFTI provides us with the shooting location and the studios. I had to mobilise resources from within or outside the institute. That is the real challenge that we had to learn. It is a huge honour that the film made in this manner will be screened at Cannes."
The director was born in Zalmbessa, which is in the Tigray state of Ethiopia. After completing his graduation from the Aabbis Ababa University in theatrical arts, he received a scholarship from the Indian Council of Cultural Research and took up a direction and screenplay writing course at SRFTI. The filmmaker expressed immense satisfaction regarding the project, stating, "I made a documentary on African footballers in Kolkata. As an African filmmaker, this story is very close to my heart. The film is inspired by the real-life experiences of these young men — a story of hope, identity, transformation, and survival. I had the privilege of being mentored by Putul Mahmood, Mehdi Jaan, and Siladitya Sanyal throughout this project," the director said about his 24-minute-long film.
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The main character is portrayed by Ahmed, who is a non-professional actor. Ahmed belongs to the Yoruba ethnic group that is primarily located in southwestern Nigeria. "Many African players come to Kolkata to play the seven-side or five-side games. We earn per match and that is what brings us here. I acted in primary school plays but never faced the camera before. When asked to act, I just played myself in front of the camera," Ahmed said. A follower of Ronaldinho Gaúcho, Ahmed loves films by SRK and Salman. "I have never been to France, but it is one of my preferred destinations," he said.
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