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A Telugu short film Osey Balamma has been officially selected under the short film competition section of the Sundance Film Festival 2026, scheduled to be held from January 22 to February 1, 2026 in Park city, Utah in the U.S. This is the first time in the festival’s history that a Telugu film has been selected for the competitive category.
Speaking to the media here on Saturday (December 20), the short film’s director Raman Nimmala said that this year, the jury selected only 54 films from a staggering 11,480 entries. “By securing a spot in a competition with a rigorous selection rate of just 0.4%, Osey Balamma has earned recognition at an international stage,” he said.
He said the film is based on real-life relationships he witnessed at his grandmother’s house during his childhood. Set against the backdrop of the Sankranti festival, the film explores the complex yet affectionate bond between an elderly matriarch and her domestic helper, Balamma. It subtly discusses the social hierarchies and deep-rooted love embedded in the term Osey, he said.
Mr. Nimmala is purusing his master’s in fine arts at Columbia University, New York. He filmed this project in his homeland, the village of Neredigunta in Telangana. Prominent Tollywood producers Bunny Vas (co-producer) and Sreeja Edida (executive producer) supported this project.
The film was crafted with high authenticity, blending the expertise of New York-based technicians with the participation of local villagers, he said, adding that this victory showcases the prowess of rural stories and the grandeur of the Telugu language on a global stage.
English (US) ·