Goan Film Rishi Selected for Canada International Mobile Film Festival
Goan short film Rishi, directed by Mario Pimenta and Anlisa Rodrigues, has been officially selected for the Canada International Mobile Film Festival , scheduled to be held on September 12, 2026, in Toronto, Canada. This marks the film’s tenth international festival selection.
The film was conceptualized by Mario Pimenta and Anlisa Rodrigues, with Anlisa also serving as the cinematographer while Mario handled the editing. Demonstrating the creative possibilities of mobile filmmaking, the entire film was shot on Anlisa Rodrigues’ iPhone 14 Pro.
Goan model and actress Roshni Maurya portrayed the lead character, Zoya, while musician and actor Cyrus Fernandes played the titular role of Rishi, the best friend whose memory shapes the narrative.
Shot without dialogue, Rishi tells its story through the inner voice of Zoya’s conscience, voiced by emcee Sneha Fernandes. The project brought together alumni of the Mass Communication departments of Don Bosco College, Panjim, and St. Xavier’s College, Mapusa.
The film previously secured the Runner-Up position at Mandoya 2025 in Nagpur and has since earned official selections at festivals across the United States, Jamaica, and Bangladesh. It was also screened at the prestigious Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute as part of the Roopantor Film Festival.
Through the story of Zoya grieving the loss of someone who profoundly influenced her life, Rishi explores themes of loneliness, emotional healing, and the silent struggles often faced by young people. Rather than portraying mental health through dramatic situations, the film approaches the subject with sensitivity, intimacy, and emotional vulnerability.
The Canada International Mobile Film Festival is a curated international platform dedicated to recognizing excellence in mobile filmmaking. The festival celebrates filmmakers who use mobile technology to push creative boundaries and tell compelling stories through accessible and innovative cinema.
The selection of Rishi at CIMFF highlights the growing potential of mobile filmmaking in Goa. As filmmakers increasingly embrace smartphones as creative tools, projects like *Rishi* demonstrate that powerful storytelling, strong performances, and artistic vision can transcend budgetary limitations, allowing Goan cinema to reach audiences and festivals around the world.
