Award-winning Indian short film Chhoti Baarish (Little Rain)” by Ritopriyo Saha Earns 9 Film Festival Selections, including IFFSA Toronto 2025 — Director Prepares Three Upcoming Feature Film Pitches

Award-winning Indian short film Chhoti Baarish (Little Rain)” by Ritopriyo Saha Earns 9 Film Festival Selections, including IFFSA Toronto 2025 — Director Prepares Three Upcoming Feature Film Pitches

Bangalore, India – September 2025: Independent filmmaker Ritopriyo Saha’s short film “Chhoti Baarish (Little Rain)”continues its successful run on the global festival circuit, securing its 9th official selection at the prestigious International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) Toronto 2025, scheduled for October 9–19, 2025.

IFFSA Toronto, celebrating its 14th edition, is one of the largest South Asian film festivals in North America, featuring over 100 premieres and 40 events this year. Alongside Berlinale-acclaimed Shadowbox starring Tillotama Shome, Roya Sadat’s Sima’s Song, Eisha Marjara’s Calorie, Natesh Hegde’s Tiger’s Pond, and Pradipta Bhattacharyya’s The Slow Man and His Raft, Saha’s Chhoti Baarish will represent a fresh, authentic voice from India.

Upcoming Film Festival Selections (Official Catalog Links) :-

  1. https://iffsatoronto.com/movie/little-rain/
  2. https://miniboxoffice.com/indian-cine-film-festival/catalogue-detail.php?id=NTQ1

A Poetic Short Film with Universal Resonance

Set in a remote Indian village with lush meadows and grazing cattle, Chhoti Baarish (Little Rain) tells the story of a young boy who longs to dance in the rain, despite constant scolding. With its lyrical tone and visual simplicity, the film reflects the innocence and instinctive artistry of childhood.

“This film was my attempt to preserve a child’s instinctive joy — singing before speaking, dancing before walking,” says Ritopriyo Saha, the writer-director. “It reminds us that every child is born an artist, until society gives them a script and calls it ‘growing up’.”

The short film has already been recognized at Bali International Film Festival (BALINALE 2025), Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF 2025), Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF 2025) and other national and international platforms, continuing to build acclaim.

Published Media Links :-

  1. Newswire Online – https://www.newswireonline.com/chhoti-baarish-by-ritopriyo-saha-trippink-talkies-to-screen-at-bangalore-shorts-film-festival-2025-with-7-film-festival-selections-and-counting/
  2. PR.com – https://www.pr.com/press-release/941363
  3. Mini Box Office – https://youtu.be/kjc5ytASvcE?si=BF2ETX0_J5tgzRdA

Expanding into Feature Films — Three Projects in Development

Building on the success of Chhoti Baarish, Ritopriyo Saha is preparing to pitch three upcoming feature film projects that explore emotional struggles within the Indian cultural landscape:

  1. Teen Yaari (Three Wild Kids)

A raw, coming-of-age story about three emotionally scarred teenagers — Zakir, Dev, and Masoom — who bond over their troubled family lives and decide to run away from their rural village. The film confronts trauma, friendship, and the fragile dreams of youth.

  1. May I Love U?

A near-future drama set in 2050, revolving around Reva, a single mother and photographer, who encounters Mayur, a super-intelligent humanoid AI with a passion for art, cinema, and love. Blending romance with sci-fi, the story explores loneliness, human-AI intimacy, and the healing of past wounds.

  1. Moh Maya Mukti

An A.I. animated fantasy-action-thriller following Maya, a warrior girl on a mystical journey of self-discovery, guided by a mythical tree named Mukti. Combining Indian mythology with visual spectacle, the project aims to push A.I. animation into the global spotlight.

Each project builds on Saha’s vision of exploring human emotions, social realities, and cultural identity through powerful, cinematic storytelling.

Industry Recognition & Upcoming Pitch

With Chhoti Baarish opening doors internationally, Saha will also present his feature film pitches at upcoming industry platforms, seeking independent producers, co-production partners, and global investors to bring these projects to life.

Film Market Pitch Video – https://youtu.be/WiRBnFRth0U?si=IQsgvH3N7OFvfPGT

About the Director

Ritopriyo Saha is an Indian screenwriter and film director whose stories focus on Indian characters, culture, and sensibilities while exploring human emotional struggles in a developing nation. With two independent short films and several ambitious feature projects, he is quickly establishing himself as an emerging voice in Indian independent cinema.

FilmFreeway Biography – https://filmfreeway.com/trippinktalkies

Media Contact

Name: Ritopriyo Saha
Email: trippinktalkies@gmail.com
Phone: +91-9748298107
City: Bangalore, India

Obayifo Project: The Independent Film That Chose India as Its Launchpad and Now Heads to Mexican Cinemas

Obayifo Project: The Independent Film That Chose India as Its Launchpad and Now Heads to Mexican Cinemas

Mumbai, India — March 2025 — In a landscape dominated by major studio productions, Obayifo Project has carved out a path that defies convention. Directed by Spanish filmmaker Paco Arasanz, this supernatural thriller is a case study in how independent cinema, when coupled with a bold and strategic release plan, can break into the global market. That journey began with a deliberate decision: launching first in India via OTTplus, and now, after its international success, heading to Mexican cinemas through CNMG Distribución.

Unlike typical indie films that prioritize local premieres, Obayifo Project took a different route. By choosing India as its first stop — via OTTplus, a key platform for culturally rich and daring content — the film activated a wider international rollout that has since taken it across continents.

The response in India was overwhelming. For three consecutive weeks, Obayifo Project dominated OTTplus as the #1 most-watched title, outperforming major Bollywood and international blockbusters and generating strong word-of-mouth buzz.

“India was never just a random choice; it was the cornerstone of our strategy. We believed Indian audiences would engage deeply with a story rooted in folklore and psychological horror,” says Paco Arasanz. “OTTplus gave us that first vital platform.”

Global expansion powered by partnerships

After its successful Indian debut, Obayifo Project continued its expansion with the support of Jolizco Films, the independent distributor led by Liz Díaz. Their collaboration helped the project secure key placements on platforms such as Amazon Prime, ClaroVideo, Tubi, Fawesome, and Found TV, cementing the film’s international footprint.

“Working with Jolizco Films allowed us to position the film beyond borders and take advantage of platforms aligned with our vision,” adds Arasanz.

In November 2024, the film reached a new milestone when it premiered globally on YouTube via V Channels, entering the Top 10 most-watched Mexican films on the platform.

A return home: theatrical release with CNMG Distribución

Now, after proving itself internationally, Obayifo Project will have its highly anticipated theatrical release in Mexico on March 13, 2025, thanks to CNMG Distribución. Under the leadership of Israel López, CNMG is championing the return of independent films like Obayifo Project to cinemas, giving audiences the opportunity to experience the film on the big screen.

“Israel López and CNMG Distribución immediately understood the film’s journey and believed in its potential for theatrical success. Thanks to them, we are completing this global cycle where it all comes full circle back to Mexican theaters,” explains Arasanz.

Recognition and critical acclaim

The film’s success is not only commercial. Obayifo Project is currently shortlisted for the prestigious Ariel Awards, Mexico’s highest cinematic recognition, highlighting its impact both internationally and at home.

Now streaming on OTTplus and Bcineet

While Mexican audiences prepare for the theatrical premiere, the film remains available to Indian viewers exclusively on OTTplus, the platform where it first found success:

Watch on OTTplus

Globally, it is also streaming via Bcineet, a platform focused on independent and auteur cinema:

Watch on Bcineet

“India was our first major step, but now, thanks to CNMG Distribución, we are bringing this story back home to Mexican cinemas — something we are deeply proud of,” concludes Arasanz.

About Obayifo Project:

Obayifo Project is a psychological horror-thriller blending West African folklore with contemporary tension. With its eerie atmosphere and mythological roots, the film examines universal fears through the lens of ancient legends and psychological dread.