Saisma Naik’s AI Film Toto Selected for Panorama Section of 4th Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival
Ponda Filmmaker Saisma Naik’s AI film Toto – A Rescued Love has been officially selected for the Panorama Section of the 4th edition of the Bulbul Children’s International Film Festival (BCIFF), scheduled to be held from October 12 to 16, 2026, at Ravindra Bhavan, Margao, Goa.
Organised by the Department of Information and Publicity, Government of Goa, the festival celebrates children’s cinema and features films from across the world, along with activities for children, parents and young people. The festival is led by Bipin Khedekar and Siddhesh Naik, with Goa Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant serving as Chairman and PWD Minister Digambar Kamat as Vice-Chairman.
The selection places Naik’s film among the works being presented as part of BCIFF’s celebration of children’s cinema. Following the enthusiastic response and participation from children during its first three editions, the fourth edition returns with a programme featuring imaginative and thought-provoking films for young audiences from around the world.
Naik, a 22-year-old filmmaker from Ponda, Goa, is a Mass Communication graduate of Don Bosco College, Panjim. Toto – A Rescued Love was independently conceptualised and produced by Naik using various artificial intelligence tools. The project reflects the growing use of AI in filmmaking and, according to the filmmaker, marks a milestone as the first AI-generated film made by a woman filmmaker in Goa.
Toto – A Rescued Love follows Toto, a stray dog who was once cared for before being abandoned and left to survive on the streets. Longing for companionship, Toto watches puppies through the window of a pet shop. His circumstances change when a woman rescues him and takes him to a shelter, where he is eventually adopted by a young boy named Max. The film explores themes of abandonment, care, compassion and companionship.
The film premiered at the AI Film Showcase at the India-AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam. It was subsequently selected for film festivals and showcases including Framefest Bengaluru, Ahmedabad International Film Festival, WAVES International Film Festival Goa and AI Zone International Film Festival.
With its selection at BCIFF, Toto – A Rescued Love continues its festival journey, bringing its message of compassion and companionship to young audiences while highlighting the emerging possibilities of AI in filmmaking.
