Malayalam cinema crossed a major international threshold on September 20, 2026, as the feature film Half made history by screening in the Midnight Madness section at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Directed by Samjad PS, the feature became the very first Malayalam film to be screened in the section at TIFF, and it evoked an enthusiastic response from the audience, according to a communication. According to an IANS report, ‘Half’ drew an enthusiastic response from the audience during its Midnight Madness screening, where the packed theatre reportedly erupted in applause at several points, with viewers also discussing the film’s intense world and distinctive presentation after the screening.
Director Samjad PS and Producers Join International Audiences in Toronto
The energy continued during the Q&A session, where members of the team interacted with the international audience and discussed various aspects of the film. K. Sajeev. They were joined by lead actors Ranjith Sajeev and Aiswarya Raj, music composer Mithun Mukundan, and sound designer Vishnu Govind.
The performances of the lead actors also became a talking point during the interaction. Ranjith Sajeev and Aiswarya Raj answered questions from viewers about their respective characters and the process of bringing them to life. The audience’s questions offered the actors an opportunity to discuss the challenges involved in portraying the characters within the film’s intense and immersive world.
Technical Craftsmanship and Action Choreography Drive the Conversation
Cinematographer Pappinu’s visual language and the film’s action sequences choreographed by Very Tri Yulisman received appreciation, it said. The film’s action sequences also received attention during the discussion, with fight choreographer Very Tri Yulisman being credited for the film’s action choreography. The music and sound design were also highlighted for their role in creating the film’s atmosphere and immersive quality, with Vishnu Govind handling the sound design and Mithun Mukundan composing the music.
‘Half’ features a technical team led by cinematographer Pappinu and editor Mahesh Bhuvanend. Vishnu Govind has also contributed as the sound designer, while Mithun Mukundan has composed the film’s score. K.
Global Distribution and International Sales Support
The film’s international journey has also been supported by partnerships for its distribution and sales. Excel Entertainment and AA Films are presenting and distributing ‘Half’ across North India. Meanwhile, the film’s international sales rights have been acquired by Best Friend Forever (BFF), further expanding its reach beyond the Malayalam-speaking market.
По теме
