Wed Sep 10 11:35:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text, written from an Indian perspective and suitable for a general news audience:
**Headline: Kunjila Mascillamani’s ‘Guptam’ Garners International Buzz at TIFF and Busan Ahead of Asian Project Market**
**Thrissur, Kerala -** Kunjila Mascillamani’s upcoming film, *Guptam (The Last of Them Plagues)*, is generating significant international attention. The film, exploring themes of societal pressure and female resilience in 1999 Kerala, has been selected to participate in the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival’s (TIFF) Directors’ Lab and the Asian Project Market at the Busan International Film Festival in South Korea later this month.
*Guptam* tells the story of a single working mother in Kunnamkulam, Thrissur, whose life is upended after her younger daughter mysteriously disappears. According to the logline, she faces the wrath of her village who suspect she has brought ‘god’s wrath’ upon them. Mascillamani describes the film as a tribute to the struggles of women in a moralistic society, drawing inspiration from her own mother’s experiences.
The film has already attracted considerable talent. Acclaimed filmmaker Payal Kapadia (*All We Imagine as Light*) joined the project in November 2024 as a collaborator, alongside Malayalam film director Jeo Baby, and Kani Kusruti. Kusruti is also serving as a creative producer for the film.
Mascillamani expressed excitement about the international recognition and the opportunity to connect with filmmakers at TIFF, calling it an enriching experience. She also noted her frequent collaborations with Jeo Baby are based on support.
Despite the international interest, Mascillamani remains candid about the challenges facing female filmmakers within the Malayalam film industry. She highlighted the industry’s reliance on connections rather than merit and expressed frustration with the prevalence of sexism. This has led her to pursue international co-production opportunities for *Guptam*. She previously protested the exclusion of her short film “Asanghadithar” from the International Women’s Film Festival in Kozhikode in 2022.
Mascillamani emphasized the need for financial support for independent filmmakers. She and Kani Kusruti plan to attend the Asian Projects Market later this month to refine the film’s screenplay and seek potential funding. *Guptam* promises to be a thought-provoking exploration of social issues and female strength, making its mark on the global film landscape.
**[End of Article]**
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