Mayilaa, a Newton Cinema Production Presented by Pa Ranjith, to Premiere at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam
Chennai, India — October 23, 2025 — Mayilaa, the much-awaited Tamil-language debut feature by writer-director Semmalar Annam, presented by acclaimed filmmaker Pa Ranjith and produced by Newton Cinema, will have its World Premiere in the Bright Future section of the 55th International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR), taking place from January 29 to February 8, 2026.
Set in a small village in Tamil Nadu, Mayilaa tells the story of Poongodi, a woman whose struggle for independence and self-respect becomes a journey of quiet rebellion. Through the eyes of her daughter Sudar, the film reflects the unspoken resilience of women and children who carry both tenderness and trauma in their everyday lives.
“Semmalar’s voice is distinct and courageous,” said Anto Chittilappilly, Founder and Producer of Newton Cinema. “Her direction blends emotional precision with deep social insight. We are proud to support her and grateful to Pa Ranjith, Sreekar Prasad, Director Ram, and others who believed in this story from the beginning.”
Sharing his admiration for the filmmaker, Pa Ranjith said: “Mayilaa beautifully captures the complex realities and inner world of working women from marginalized backgrounds. With honest cinematic language, Semmalar Annam portrays a woman’s world with striking naturalness and nuance. Actors Melodi and Shudar are remarkable in their performances—Mayilaa moved me deeply, like a poem.”
The film features Melodi Dorcas as Mayilaa, an accomplished theatre actor with over a decade of stage experience. V. Shudar Kodi plays Poongodi’s daughter with striking authenticity in her first screen role. The cast also includes Geetha Kailasam, Sathya Maruthani, Auto Chandran, RJ Priyanka, and Janaki Suresh.
The film’s core creative team includes Vinoth Janakiraman (Cinematography), A. Sreekar Prasad (Editing), Meenakshi Ilayaraja (Background Score and Vocals), and Anand Krishnamoorthi (Sound Design).
Semmalar Annam, who studied Visual Communication and Journalism from PSG CAS, Coimbatore and mentored by indie filmmaker Arunmozhi Sivaprakasam, has also acted in several acclaimed Tamil films. Mayilaa marks her evolution from actor to filmmaker, weaving together themes of endurance, faith, and identity.
For Newton Cinema, Mayilaa continues its journey of nurturing bold, socially grounded cinema that brings authentic Indian voices to the global stage.
About Newton Cinema:
Newton Cinema tells extraordinary stories that challenge social norms and inspire positive
change. By amplifying the voices of the marginalized, Newton Cinema fosters inclusivity,
upholds humanity and strives for a more peaceful world. Committed to sustainability, Newton Cinema promotes social, environmental, and economic transformations. It is dedicated to promoting social, environmental, and economic transformations through the art of cinema.
*Film Details*
Title: Mayilaa
Language: Tamil
Genre: Dramedy
Running Time: 97 minutes
Country: India
Production: Newton Cinema
World Premiere: International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) 2026 — Bright Future Section