MUMBAI: It is a case of double whammy for Indian filmmaker Gitanjali Rao. Not only has she been invited to be on the jury of short films at the forthcoming Cannes Film Festival, Rao’s feature animation project Girgit has also been selected at the Cinema du Monde pavilion in the Cannes Film Market which showcases young and emerging directors.
Talking about her inclusion in the jury, Rao averred, "I‘m specially honoured because the Critics‘ Week completes 50 years this year. It has discovered the films of world renowned directors like Bertolucci, Ken Loach, Amos Gitai, Wong Kar Wai and Alejandro Inarritu, among others."
Girgit is one of 12 projects selected from countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America, Middle Eastern countries and Eastern Europe.
"This is a great opportunity for Girgit, which was abandoned mid-way in production, by Indian producers for lack of funding. Girgit is a survival story, of people you look through in the city but who actually make the city work," Rao said.
In addition to Girgit, Rao has worked for a year and a half developing a feature animation film project with Walt Disney Studios India called Shadows Of the Mahabharat.
The 64th Cannes Film Festival runs from 11 to 22 May.
