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Spying Stars to compete for inaugural Busan International Film Festival awards
The festival is scheduled for Sept. 17-26.
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Bhavana P - Thu, 28, Aug 2025
- 17:02 EDT
- 12
Spying Stars trailer / Youtube/ Busan International Film Festival
Indian filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda’s latest production, Spying Stars, has been selected for the inaugural competition line-up of the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF).
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the festival, which has evolved from its previous non-competitive format to introduce a newly established competition section. Spying Stars is notably the only Indian co-production among the 14 titles vying for the prestigious Busan Awards.
The film follows the story of Anandi, a biotechnician played by Indira Tiwari, who travels to Hanuman Island for her father’s last rites. Quarantined due to a pandemic in a machine-dominated world, she encounters a mysterious star and seeks refuge with a mother and her transgender daughter.
Panda, known for acclaimed works such as I Am Kalam and Kadvi Hawa, described producing Spying Stars as a “spiritual journey,” highlighting director Vimukthi Jayasundara’s poetic treatment of themes such as nature, technology, and metaphysical reflection.
“The stars are out, and they have a story to tell. A story that's as cosmic as it is human. Here's a glimpse of Spying Stars,” Panda said, sharing the trailer of the film.
Jayasundara, whose debut The Forsaken Land won the Caméra d'Or at Cannes, called the film “a liberation narrative” questioning humanity’s survival in an era of technological surveillance.
The cast also includes Kaushakya Fernando and Samanalee Fonseka, with cinematography by Eeshit Narain and music by Alokananda Dasgupta. Spying Stars is produced by Vincent Wang and co-produced by Arfi Laamba, Katharina Suckale, and Michel Klein.
The awards will be presented across five categories—Best Film, Best Director, Special Jury Prize, Best Actor, and Artistic Contribution. Winners will receive trophies designed by acclaimed Thai filmmaker and artist Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
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