Tamil film ‘Mayilaa’ by Semmalar Annam to premiere at 55th Rotterdam Film Festival

Writer-director Semmalar Annam is ready to make a mark on the global stage with debut film ‘Mayilaa’. The much-anticipated Tamil feature presented by acclaimed filmmaker Pa Ranjith is going to have its world premiere at the 55th International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR). The festival will be held from January 29 to February 8, 2026 and ‘Mayilaa’ will have an screening in the Bright Future section.

Produced by Newton Cinema, ‘Mayilaa’ is set in a quiet village in Tamil Nadu and follows the life of Poongodi, a woman fighting for dignity and self-respect in a world that constantly tries to silence her. The story unfolds through the perspective of her young daughter Sudar who observes her mother’s silent defiance against social and emotional barriers.

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“Semmalar’s voice is distinct and courageous,” said Anto Chittilappilly, founder of Newton Cinema. “Her storytelling has both emotional depth and social awareness. We are proud to back her vision and thankful to Pa Ranjith, Sreekar Prasad, and Director Ram.”

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Pa Ranjith, known for his socially conscious cinema, praised the film for its honesty and emotional power. “’Mayilaa’ beautifully captures the complex realities of working women from marginalized backgrounds,” he said. “Semmalar’s direction feels pure and truthful. She portrays women’s lives with striking realism and also empathy. Performances by Melodi and Shudar are very moving. ‘Mayilaa’ feels like a poem on screen.”

The film stars Melodi Dorcas as Mayilaa. She is an experienced theatre actor who brings over a decade of stage expertise to her first major film role. Young V Shudar Kodi plays Poongodi’s daughter. The supporting cast includes Geetha Kailasam, Sathya Maruthani, Auto Chandran, RJ Priyanka, and Janaki Suresh.

Behind the camera, ‘Mayilaa’ boasts an impressive creative team. Vinoth Janakiraman is cinematographer, A Sreekar Prasad an editor, Meenakshi Ilayaraja handles background score and vocals, and Anand Krishnamoorthi designs sound.