FTII Screens Canceled 'Da'lit Kids' Amidst Solidarity

Appu Soman's six-minute film, 'Da'lit Kids,' was screened at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune on Friday, March 7, 2026. This screening followed last-minute cancellations at the Animela Animation Festival in Mumbai and the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad. Soman described the FTII screening, which included films by other filmmakers who withdrew their work in solidarity, as a powerful display of community support.

A member of the FTII screening committee, Stanzin Smonlam, expressed satisfaction in hosting the film, noting that student-led screenings have faced increasing restrictions. He emphasized the solidarity shown to the SRFTI student and the right to screen films of choice. Soman, overwhelmed by the response, including messages calling the film a "need of the hour," criticized censorship. He believes authorities who deny film permissions often haven't seen the work, drawing parallels to the denial of clearance for 19 films at the 2025 International Film Festival of Kerala. Soman plans to obtain certification for 'Da'lit Kids' and create alternative spaces for voices outside institutional protection.