By Marcellus D’Souza

Apr 26: Goan short film 'Wagro' (Place of Sacrifice) has been selected for Cannes Festival in the short film category.

‘Wagro’ which is a love story of a couple trapped in circumstances trying to find here they belong and want to belong was officially selected in the Short Film Corner category at the prestigious Festival de Cannes 2022. The Short Film Corner aims at promoting emerging talents and facilitates the interactions between the creation and the industry.

The story, screenplay and direction of ‘Wagro’ is by Sainath S. Uskaikar who is currently a student at the Film and Television Institute of India. He is an engineer by qualification from Goa and has deep interest in social causes and activism.

The film is produced by two time National Award winner De Gaon Studio headed by Rajesh R Pednekar and Gaaytri Pednekar. The sound design and mixing of the film is done by four time national award sound designer Bishwadeep Dipak Chatterjee. Two time Kerala is associated Liju Prabhakar from Kerala is associated with the short firm as a colourist. The team includes cinematographer Amey Simepeuushkar, Editor Venkatesh Lagji and the background music by Abhishek Kadam.

The cast consist of Shobita Kudtarkar, Shravan Fondekar, Pranav Tengse and Amodi Sanap.

“This remarkable achievement of a Goan short film will boost the Goan film fraternity. It will motivate young and talented filmmakers to express better stories with a universal appeal. That was our endevour and we are extremely honoured that the film has been accepted by the prestigious Cannes”, said Rajesh R. Pednekar.

The film had won 7 awards at the 60 hours filmmaking challenge organised by Ravindra Bhavan Margao and the Department of Information and publicity, Government of Goa.