KALYANI B’S MARICHIKA EARNS ANNECY SELECTION

Kochi-based animator Kalyani B’s film Marichika: The Mirage of a Dream has been selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival. Developed at NID, the film explores suppressed female desires and lost aspirations through folklore, blending myth and memory in a poignant narrative that highlights her storytelling prowess.

Kalyani B, an emerging animator from Kochi, has achieved international acclaim with her poignant film Marichika: The Mirage of a Dream, which has been selected for the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival. A graduate of the National Institute of Design in Communication Design – Animation Film Design, Kalyani has crafted a deeply resonant narrative that blends folklore with contemporary themes of suppressed female desires and lost aspirations.

Developed as part of her Master’s in Design at NID, Marichika follows the journey of Aami, a filmmaker in Mumbai who returns to Kerala after her grandmother’s death. Haunted by childhood memories and the folktales her grandmother once told, Aami uncovers a hidden box in her grandfather’s bureau. Inside lies Shosha’s missing dream, a relic from a mythical land where dreams were stolen and never returned. This discovery blurs the lines between folklore and reality, compelling Aami to re-examine her grandmother’s life and the magical inheritance embedded in her stories.

The film’s narrative draws on the tale of Shosha, a girl whose most cherished dream was destined to be realised by the King but was stolen, leaving her unable to dream again. Through Aami’s journey, Kalyani explores the silenced voices of women, their repressed desires, and the fragile beauty of aspirations that often remain unfulfilled. The film’s visual storytelling and emotional depth highlight Kalyani’s ability to weave myth and memory into a compelling cinematic experience.

Selection at Annecy, widely regarded as the world’s leading animation festival, marks a significant milestone for Kalyani. It not only underscores her talent as a storyteller but also places her among a new generation of Indian animators gaining recognition on the global stage. Marichika resonates as both a personal exploration and a universal reflection on the power of dreams, memory, and female agency.