In a landmark moment for Indian regional cinema, a Kannada short film titled 'Pankaja' has been officially selected for screening at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival in 2026. This achievement marks the first time a short film from the Kannada language film industry will be showcased on this globally renowned platform.
A Personal Journey From Bengaluru to Sundance
Written and directed by Bengaluru-based filmmaker Anooya Swamy, 'Pankaja' is a poignant narrative rooted in everyday life and intimate memory. The film traces the journey of a young mother and her daughter as they search for their missing husband and father. The story unfolds as both a physical quest and a deep emotional reckoning with themes of home, absence, and resilience.
For Anooya, the news of the Sundance selection came as a complete shock. She recounts receiving the life-changing call while traveling on a train. "I remember I had accused the caller of lying before the connection dropped," she shares with a smile. "I was freaking out alone on the train till I could actually confirm it." The filmmaker, who is currently studying in New York, admits she once feared losing her authentic voice about home, but was encouraged by her NYU mentor, filmmaker Kasi Lemmons, to embrace her responsibility to tell women's stories.
The Emotional Core: Drawing From Real Life
'Pankaja' emerged from deeply personal terrain for Anooya Swamy. Growing up in Bengaluru, she witnessed significant shifts in her family's circumstances. "My mother had me when she was 16," she reveals. "Incidentally, the story is a part of my life, a small portion of my memory." Rather than focusing on dramatizing poverty or struggle, the film stays attentively focused on the nuanced bond between a mother and daughter, with Anooya stating that this personal familiarity forms the emotional core of the project.
The filmmaking process was notably swift and instinctive. Anooya wrote the script in late October last year and soon after met actor Harshini Boyalla, who plays the young mother. An intuitive approach extended to the rehearsals, allowing the central relationship between the actors to develop organically.
An Affirming Journey for the Cast
For Harshini Boyalla, the journey has been profoundly affirming. She auditioned for the role with limited knowledge of the script, focusing solely on bringing honesty to her performance. Building a genuine bond with child actor Padmashree, who plays her daughter, became central to her portrayal.
Harshini sees 'Pankaja' as a powerful reminder that deeply local stories, told with honesty and care, possess the universal power to resonate far beyond their origin. "This just gives you hope to keep going," she says. "As actors, you wake up every day and show up anyway. This feels like a sweet reward, like a small hug saying, 'Your work is being recognised.'" She is excited that this recognition will open up new possibilities for collaboration and more meaningful work.
The selection of 'Pankaja' for Sundance 2026 is not just a personal triumph for Anooya Swamy and her team, but a historic milestone that places Kannada storytelling on a prestigious world stage, proving the global appeal of authentic, regionally-rooted narratives.
