Latest news with #KokobGebrehweriaTesfay
NDTV
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
From Kolkata To Cannes: Kolkata-Based Student Film A Doll Made Of Clay Gets International Nod
Quick Take Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. A short film by SRFTI students is set for Cannes 2025 selection. Titled "A Doll Made Up of Clay," it features a Nigerian footballer. The film was directed by Ethiopian student Kokob Gebrehweria Tesfay. New Delhi: A short film, made by students of Kolkata's Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI), is making waves internationally – it is headed to the 78th Festival de Cannes 2025. The film, titled A Doll Made Up of Clay, has been selected for the prestigious La Cinef section, which showcases works by film school students from around the world. A Doll Made Up of Clay features a 23-year-old Nigerian footballer, Ahmed, who originally came to play seven-a-side games in the city – and somehow ended up in front of the camera as an actor. The movie has been written and directed by Kokob Gebrehweria Tesfay, an Ethiopian student at SRFTI and produced by Sahil Manoj Ingle. Executive Producer Uma Kumari said, "Coming from Rewari, a small town in Haryana, and now getting the opportunity to represent India on a global platform like Cannes feels like a dream. As a female Executive Producer, it's a proud moment — not just for me, but for every young dreamers from places where cinema isn't often seen as a career. Carrying the spirit of Haryana, and India with me, I'm excited to step onto the world stage and show that no dream is too far when you believe in it." A Doll Made Up of Clay was made under the institute's zero-budget programme. '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,' shared producer Sahil Manoj Ingle, as quoted by the Times Of India. Kokob, who hails from Zalmbessa in Ethiopia's Tigray region, studied theatrical arts at Addis Ababa University before coming to India on a scholarship from the Indian Council of Cultural Research. He enrolled in SRFTI's direction and screenplay writing course and brought his documentary experience to this fictional project. '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,' he said. The lead role is played by Ahmed, a non-professional actor from the Yoruba ethnic group in 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 shared. A Doll Made Up of Clay has a mix of Yoruba and Bengali languages and dives deep into the life of a young Nigerian player who sells his father's land to chase a football dream in India — only to have that dream crushed by a serious injury. Heartbroken and lost, he turns to his roots and ancestral rituals to heal and rediscover himself.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
SRFTI film on Nigerian footballer selected for Cannes festival
1 2 3 4 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. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo 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.
