Movies
Digital Short Film Festival commences in Film City, Noida
NEW DELHI: The AAFT Festival of short Digital Films at Marwah Studio has created a record of sorts.
Throwing light on the same, Marwah Studio president Sandeep Marwah said, “We have created a world record by touching the 86th edition of our festival. There is no other festival in the World to reach to 86th edition so far.”
“This is the only festival, which has given opportunity to more than 2000 directors from all over the world to showcase their debut film in the last 22 years,” added AAFT dean Kalyan Sarkar.
The films that were screened during the festival were: Taj Mahal – Crown of Earth directed by Aamir Naqvi, Maa Ki Aankh by Hitesh Tandon, Bloody Red by Anjali,Sunaina by Parvesh Saini, Side Effects of Criticism by Alok Chaturvedi and Masoom by Nikhil Kapoor.
“This is for the first time in the world that any film school has adapted a historical monument – A Wonder of The World – as a part of its syllabus for making and studying cinema,” Marwah added.
AAFT also celebrated its curtain raiser a day before where Ecuador Ambassador Mentor Villagomez released the poster of the festival. He was also accompanied by Dr. Patricio Garces, Head of political and cultural affairs in the Ecuador Embassy.
Movies
Tamil film Made in Korea tops Netflix global chart, storms 24 countries
Cross-cultural drama races to No.1, marking a global breakthrough for South Indian cinema
MUMBAI: A Tamil tale has gone global at speed. Netflix’s Made in Korea has shot to No.1 on its Global Top 10 Non-English Films list, trending across 24 countries within days of release.
Premiering on March 12, the film, directed by Ra.Karthik and starring Priyanka Mohan, is the only South Indian title to claim the top spot across both licensed and Netflix original films, underlining the growing global pull of regional Indian cinema.
The story, which follows Shenba’s journey from Tamil Nadu to Seoul, has struck a chord for its emotional warmth, scenic visuals and cross-cultural appeal. Early word-of-mouth has powered its rapid climb, turning a modest release into a global talking point.
Monika Shergill, vice-president, content, Netflix India, said, “We are proud that a story like Made in Korea has become the first ever film from our south slate to land at the No.1 spot on our Global Top 10 Non-English Films list. It reaffirms our belief that there is so much more from India for the world to discover and embrace. This film stands out for blending two distinct cultures into one powerful story that explores universal emotions of love, friendship, belonging and family. At Netflix, we remain committed to championing authentic, locally rooted stories and it’s incredibly exciting to see a film like this travel so widely and connect with audiences around the world.”
Priyanka Mohan called the moment deeply personal. “Moments like these are what every artist truly hopes for. We always strive to give our best, but some films become very special in our journey as performers, and Made in Korea is one of them for me. Shenba is a character that touched my heart from the moment I read the script, and bringing her story to life has been incredibly meaningful. Working with Ra.Karthik sir was a wonderful experience. He has such clarity and sincerity in the way he tells stories. I’m also grateful to our producer Sreenidhi Sagar sir and the entire team for their constant support. And of course, my heartfelt thanks to Netflix for giving this story such a wonderful platform and helping it reach audiences everywhere.”
Ra.Karthik struck a similar note. “There are certain films you make with complete faith in the audience, believing they will connect with the emotions you are trying to convey. It is truly heartening to see Made in Korea trending on Netflix and receiving such encouraging responses from viewers, not just in India but across the world. Priyanka Mohan brought incredible dedication and sincerity to Shenba’s character, and that commitment reflects beautifully on screen. I’m grateful to producer Sreenidhi Sagar for trusting this story and to Netflix for providing such a wonderful platform for the film to reach audiences across countries.”
As the film continues to travel across borders, its success signals more than just a hit. It marks a shift, where local stories, told with authenticity, are no longer confined by language or geography. In the streaming wars, the South is not just rising. It is rewriting the script.
