Documentary 'Where The Heart' draws packed audience at screening in IFFI 2025
Panjim, November 23
The critically acclaimed short documentary 'Where The Heart' premiered at the 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) on Sunday.
After impressive showings at both the Kolkata International Film Festival and the Jagran International Film Festival, the documentary 'Where The Heart' drew a packed audience at the screening in IFFI 2025.
The documentary was screened at the Indian Panorama section. It was written and directed by Ulka Mayur.
The film had its international premiere last month at Toronto's International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA). It is produced by Mayur Puri, with Mannan Shaah and Ulka Mayur as co-producers.
According to the press note shared by the makers, 'Where The Heart' chronicles Umesh Garate's yearly journey from Mumbai to his ancestral village to celebrate the Ganapati festival.
Through this intimate homecoming, the film explores themes of family bonds, migration, belonging, and the subtle yet powerful changes taking place in rural life.
"It's wonderful to see the film receiving such warm appreciation on the festival circuit. We had a houseful screening today. The film is charting its own path from Toronto to Kolkata, Mumbai, and now Goa. It's gratifying that audiences are embracing storytelling across diverse formats," said director Ulka Mayur.
The documentary is scheduled for its second screening at IFFI on November 24.
The 56th International Film Festival of India is currently underway in Goa. It will run till November 28.
— ANI
Reader Comments
The Ganapati festival angle makes this so relatable! Every year, my family travels from Delhi to our village in UP for the celebrations. This documentary sounds like it captures that beautiful tradition perfectly. Hope it gets a wider release!
Attended the screening yesterday and was genuinely moved. The cinematography beautifully captures the emotional journey. However, I felt the pacing could have been slightly better in the middle section. Still, a wonderful effort!
More power to Ulka Mayur and team! It's heartening to see women directors making such impactful documentaries. The theme of rural transformation is so relevant in today's India. Jai ho! ðŸ™
As someone who recently visited India, this documentary sounds fascinating. The cultural insights into family traditions and migration patterns would be incredibly educational for international audiences. Well done IFFI for showcasing such content!
Documentary films like these are much needed in our cinema landscape. While we enjoy commercial movies, real stories about real people hit differently. Hope this inspires more filmmakers to explore documentary formats. Bas ek baar dekhna hai! 🎬
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