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Director Kunjila Masilamani selected for the Toronto International Film Festival’s Directors’ Lab
Her new film, The Last of Them Plagues, secured her entry into the Directors’ Lab.
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Suresh Nellikode - Thu, 28, Aug 2025
- 10:58 EDT
- 19
(Top) TIFF representative image (image- Netflix), (Bottom) director Kunjila Masilamani (Image- Satyajit Ray Film Institute / Faceboook) /
At the 50th anniversary of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the recognition received by young director Kunjila Mascillamani is a matter of great pride for Kerala.
Among hundreds of applications from various countries, Mascillamani was chosen as one of the 16 filmmakers for the TIFF Director's Lab, a training workshop for 25 young filmmakers, making it a proud achievement for India. The Directors' Lab is one of TIFF's skill development initiatives that has gained significant attention in the film world over the past several years.
Also read: Bandar to premiere at Toronto Film Festival 2025
Under the guidance of experts, including world-renowned directors, those selected for the program will receive five days of excellent training during the film festival. Participants who demonstrate exceptional skill during this training period may receive production support, including fellowships. They are also eligible for prestigious fellowships named after Micki Moore, Viola Desmond, and Jennifer A. Tory, as well as financial assistance through the "Share Her Journey" initiative for women filmmakers.
Mascillamani, who pursued higher studies in directing and screenwriting at the Satyajit Ray Film Institute in Kolkata, made her debut with the film Guptam. The film was produced by renowned directors Payal Kapadia and Jeo Baby, along with the couple Richa Chadha-Ali Fazal and actress Kani Kusruti.
Mascillamani's short film Asamghadithar (The Unorganised), which was part of the anthology Freedom Fight, received a Special Jury Mention at the 2023 Kerala State Film Awards. Its screenplay has also been included in the undergraduate curriculum at the University of Calicut.
It was the screenplay for her new film, The Last of Them Plagues, that secured Kunjila's entry into the TIFF 2025 Directors’ Lab.
Alongside four selected Indian films—Home Bound, Bayan, Bandar and Jersey Boy—audiences will also have access to classic films like Sholay and Aranyer Din Ratri, as well as a few episodes of the Gandhi series, during the festival from September 4th to 14th.
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