Sapna Moti Bhavnani’s script, Bearlike Man, selected for Network of Asian Films (NAFF) 2021

Sapna Moti Bhavnani’s new script, Bearlike Man, has been selected as the official It Project selection to be presented in front of industry professionals visiting the Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF) and Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN) 2021. BIFAN launched the Asian Fantastic Films Network in 2008, a project market specializing in genre films, a companion program with the Korean film industry.

Bearlike Man is a story of a grizzly bear possessed mother who gives birth to a boy with a rare disease Bearlike Syndrome and gets him married to a 12-year-old virgin to cure him on the advice of the local witch.

Talking about the selection, director and writer Sapna shares, “When I found out my project Bearlike Man was selected, I had no idea how to react. I did not expect it at all.  Not because I didn't have faith in my story but because women are seldom found in this arena.”

“I am beyond excited as finally I have been selected in the perfect market for the films I want to make. For 2 years I was trying really hard to please OTT platforms and producers from India to finance my films and it is only this year I made peace knowing that there is a market for everyone, and the commercial Indian market was not for me.  Once I realized this, I was free to write what I really wanted and voila I birthed Bearlike Man,” she adds.

Due to the pandemic, BEFAN will hold the NAFF It Project market virtually this year. Bearlike Man will be produced by WENCH Films.

Sapna’s debut film, Sindhustan, which explored the migration of the Sindhi community, was released last year.