As February 29 dawns on the leap year of 2024, film enthusiasts across the globe cast their eyes upon Mumbai, for the city is bathed in the anticipation of the fourth Wench Film Festival (WFF). The celebrated event, acclaimed for imparting an electrifying cinematic experience in the realms of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy, is set to enthral audiences from February 29 to March 3, promising a medley of visual wonders.
Mumbai’s Veda Factory in Versova is adorned to host the festival, transforming into a hub of creativity where onlookers will be whisked away on a journey marked by thrilling cinematic showcases, captivating live performances, and profound panel discussions from March 1 to 3. At the heart of WFF’s splendour is a meticulously assembled array of films, poised to challenge the perceptions of the real and the uncanny.
This year’s bravura is initiated with the curtain-raiser film ‘Where The Devil Roams,’ brought forth by New York and California-based multi-talent Toby Poser, who also penned, helmed, and co-produced the enigmatic piece alongside Zelda Adams and John Adams. Adding to the allure and prestige, the festival heralds the India Premiere of the evocative “Lord Curzon Ki Haveli,” under the direction of Anshuman Jha, featuring powerhouse performers Rasika Dugal and Arjun Mathur.
A curation of 29 films, divided into three captivating categories, awaits attendees:
1. Blood Thirsty (>60 minutes): Incorporating six riveting full-length films, this category is laden with narratives that dwell in the shadowy depths, urging audiences to cling to the edges of their reality.
2. Dwarves (10–40 minutes): A baker’s dozen of thirteen shorts commandeer this segment, demonstrating the potency and diversity of storytelling packed within an abbreviated timeframe.
3. Elves (<10 mins): The festival commendably spotlights ten films that capture the essence of brisk filmmaking, each delivering its resonant message in less than a fleeting ten minutes. "I am most thrilled to be introduced to India’s creative community - its filmmakers and film lovers and what an honour to share through Terror Tutorials our love of genre movies and unusual methods of making them. I’ve never been to India, and I cannot fathom a more glorious, more perfect way to get to know India than through the lens of artistic expression - film, art, music - and with new friends who live, love, and represent them all. Thank you, Wench Film Festival and wenches near and far, for having me along for this wicked-wonderful ride!” Toby Poser articulates with evident enthusiasm. The WFF's glory goes beyond its filmic splendour, as it weaves a socio-cultural tapestry that fosters inclusivity and empowerment. The indomitable Sapna Moti Bhavnani, who proudly wears the title of Chief Wench and is the visionary founder of WFF, embodies the festival's ethos. "As the founder of the Wench Film Festival, now in its exhilarating fourth edition, I am thrilled to announce a unique celebration of horror, sci-fi, and fantasy that transcends boundaries and delves into the heart of storytelling. Our focus on India this year is a testament to the untapped potential of our storytellers and filmmakers, who are ready to take you on a journey through the unseen, the unknown, and the unimaginable. The Wench Film Festival is more than an event; it's a gateway to the extraordinary," exclaims Sapna Bhavnani, the passionate pioneer steering WFF towards new horizons. In reclaiming the festival's title, the term "Wench" is cherished and given new life. Once a 13th-century identifier for a child, a female infant, or a young unmarried woman, it transmuted into a term of disparagement over centuries. Bhavnani's perspicacious leadership has overturned this stigma, revitalizing "Wench" to exude its original spirit of empowerment. WFF stands as an emblem of inclusion, offering a nurturing soil for BIWOC, LGBTQ+ women, and non-binary filmmakers to grow and flourish. It is a venue that redefines the cinematic narrative, decreeing that every voice should echo unequivocally through the halls of film history. In conclusion, the Wench Film Festival is not solely an aggregation of films; it is a confluence where the seeds of ingenuity are sown, tended, and celebrated, blossoming into a panorama that both respects tradition and embraces the vanguard of creative expression. All are invited to partake in this extraordinary journey, a passage that promises to captivate, challenge, and change all who are fortunate to immerse themselves in its wonders.
