British psychological thriller ‘The Eye’, starring Shruti Haasan, will kick off the 5th Wench Film Festival in Mumbai. The festival, founded by filmmaker Sapna Bhavnani, is India’s first horror film festival and will run from February 27 to March 2, 2025.
Directed by Daphne Schmon, ‘The Eye’ also stars Mark Rowley. Haasan plays Diana, who visits an island where her husband drowned and faces a dark choice that could bring him back.
The festival will close with ‘Schirkoa—In Lies We Trust’, featuring Iranian-French actor Golshifteh Farahani. This year, the event will showcase 42 films, with 35 directed by women filmmakers, including LGBTQ women and non-binary creators.
Movies will be presented in three categories—Blood Thirsty (60+ minutes), Dwarves (10-40 minutes), and Elves (under 10 minutes). The diverse lineup promises a mix of gripping horror and psychological thrillers.
The jury panel includes Chris Orgelt and Harini Laxminarayan for Blood Thirsty, Aruna Raje Patil for Dwarves, and Carolyn Mauricette for Elves. Their expertise will shape the festival’s winners.
With a strong focus on inclusivity and bold storytelling, Wench Film Festival 2025 is set to thrill horror fans and celebrate filmmakers breaking barriers.