MIFF 2026, 5: Gala premières and special screenings

MIFF 2026, 5: Gala premières and special screenings

Day 1. Films: 3

Little Big Dreams aka Sonam Aur Sona ke Sapne/India/2026/19 min/Hindi/Short fiction/Rakesh Nair

A fiction film on a real-life situation, it is the first fictional short film made on the specially-abled children of Ladakh. This film is a valiant effort to remove the hesitation of parents of differently-abled children and motivate them to let their children participate in therapy, or sports. This is the story of a spirited, exceptionally capable girl, who sets out to prove that she is far more than an object of pity, and her little big dreams could turn into reality. It is also about her faithful donkey and her friends. It is produced by National Award winning producer, Jitendra Mishra (Cinema4Good; also President of the International Centre of Films for Children), Shweta Parakh (Purple People Labs; also the story-writer of the film) and Yash Nagarkoti (Hooray Films), with support from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAFDC), Leh and the Administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh. It previously earned a spot at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival (as a promotional teaser/promo), and was screened at the Smile International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFFCY), in New Delhi. The film features specially-abled students from the PMS Government High School for Inclusive Education, in Leh. 

At the film’s press conference, Shweta Parakh said, “Cinema must be a voice for every child.” Highlighting the importance of inclusivity, educationist and project mentor, Swati Popat Vats said, “Society must move beyond labels and recognise the shared aspirations, emotions and potential of all children.” Reflecting on the protagonist of Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapne (Little Big Dreams), she remarked that the young girl was not merely pursuing education or independence, but was “chasing life”. The phrase, she said, captured the film’s deeply human and aspirational message. Pathik Vats, film-maker and Filmfare Award winner, emphasised cinema’s role as a powerful educational tool. He noted that films do far more than entertain. Describing cinema as a form of practical learning, he said it can inspire empathy, broaden perspectives and shape social attitudes.

Sharing the journey of Sona aur Sonam Ke Sapne (Little Big Dreams), National Award-winning producer Jitendra Mishra highlighted the growing global appeal of local stories. He noted that children themselves actively participated in the film-making journey. They contributed not only as performers but also as storytellers and creators. The story was inspired by Tashi Gyalson, former Chief Executive Councillor of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAFDC). Director Rakesh Nair is an independent film-maker and associate director, with nearly 20 years of experience, across commercial entertainment, children’s educational programming and social advocacy documentaries.

Such films make you cheer for the underdogs or specially-abled characters. Worth watching, the film is more of a crusade, rather than competitive film-making.

In Audi 2 of MIFF, this film was followed by Naayab, which had a partly common production team.

Naayab: Through the Teacher’s Lens/India/2026/35 min/Hindi/Documentary/Shweta Parakh

An educational travel documentary, the film highlights the transformative role of teachers in shaping lives and communities. It captures a meaningful learning exchange between special needs teachers from Ladakh and Jodhpur, aiming to build self-reliance for children with special needs, through varied teaching methods, skills and training, arts and culture. 

Talking about her film at MIFF, director Shweta Parakh stressed the importance of grassroots storytelling and the need for children to see their own realities reflected on screen. She observed that stories rooted in local cultures help children connect with their identities, traditions and communities. Such stories also create meaningful spaces for self-expression and dialogue. Produced by the Department of Education, Ladakh and Kidding Around Bharat, the film turned out to be a well-made but routine documentary, evoking sympathy for special children, which is a natural feeling among humane persons. Nayaab is probably Naayaab, mis-spelt. ‘Naayaab’ means the hard–to-find or cherished, in Urdu.

Shweta Parakh is the Founder-Director of Purple People Labs, an edutainment company that designs film programs for K-12 Schools & produces children's films. Shweta started at the age of 13 years, with a Limca Book record, for being part of India's 1st TV Channel, run by kids in a school, and went on to learn from 30 roles in film and other media, before starting Purple People Labs, in 2012.

Shweta travelled across 70 cities/villages in India, with two cameras and an editing machine in a suitcase, with a vision to listen to children's stories and amplify their voices, through cinema around the world.

Force of Nature: Episode Extreme Earth/U.K./48 min/Natural History/English/Simon Muriel

A visually stunning documentary that explores the extraordinary resilience of life in some of the planet’s most challenging environments, through breath-taking cinematography and compelling storytelling, the film reveals how wildlife adapts and survives amid a rapidly changing world. It highlights the powerful forces that shape our natural world. It explores the extraordinary resilience of wild-life, adapting to the planet's most challenging and dynamic environments, amid a rapidly changing climate. The documentary highlights several critical ways in which natural forces dictate the survival of life on Earth. 

Simon Muriel is a highly experienced and versatile producer, director and edit producer, with a passion for adventurous and issue-led observational film-making ('Toughest Place to Be...' BBC2, 'A Cabbie Abroad' BBC2, 'Amir Khan's Angry Young Men', Ch4, 'Wild Animal Reunions', ITV). A fully trained and hugely experienced broadcast cameraman, has a wide range of proven production skills, producing complex shoots, often overseas. He has a great respect and admiration for investigative film-makers, who really lift the lid on issues like Errol Morris, in ‘the Fog of War’ and Nick Broomfield.is body of work includes Earth of Night in Colour and Incredible Animal Journeys

A worth viewing film, from a veteran in the genre.