Goan Experimental Short Film ‘Rishi’ Selected for Egyptian American Film Festival in New York

Goan Experimental Short Film ‘Rishi’ Selected for Egyptian American Film Festival in New York

Goan experimental short film Rishi, directed by Mario Pimenta and Anlisa Rodrigues, has earned an official international selection at the 6th Egyptian American Film Festival (EAFF), scheduled to take place from November 6 to 12, 2026, at the Center for the Arts, Staten Island, New York. The festival, held under the theme “Cinema For Life,” is dedicated to the memory of legendary international film star Omar Sharif.

Directed by Mario Pimenta and Anlisa Rodrigues, ‘Rishi’ features actor and musician Cyrus Fernandes in the titular role, alongside model and actress Roshni Maurya as Zoya. Unconventional in its storytelling, the film has no spoken dialogue. Instead, its narrative unfolds through a voiceover that represents Zoya’s inner thoughts, voiced by Sneha Fernandes.

The film was conceptualised by Mario Pimenta and Anlisa Rodrigues, with Anlisa also taking charge of cinematography, while Mario handled the editing.

At its heart, ‘Rishi’ is an exploration of love, loss, friendship and emotional closure. The film revolves around the idea that everyone has a ‘Rishi’ in their life — someone who becomes an inseparable part of their journey. However, as death remains an inevitable part of life, the story follows Zoya as she struggles to come to terms with the void left by the loss of her best friend.

Through introspection and a heartfelt conversation with her friend Anlisa, Zoya gradually embarks on a journey towards acceptance and closure. She learns the importance of letting go, expressing gratitude for the moments shared and finding the courage to bid a final goodbye.

‘Rishi’ has already garnered several selections at national and international film festivals, adding to its growing recognition. Interestingly, this is not Mario Pimenta’s first association with the Egyptian American Film Festival. His earlier film, ‘Act To Achieve’, was also selected for a previous edition of the festival.

The Egyptian American Film Festival (EAFF) for Cinema and Arts was founded with the vision of bridging science and art by recognising and showcasing outstanding scientific figures from across the world who have made significant contributions to humanity. The festival provides an international platform for creative expression and cultural exchange.

The selection of ‘Rishi’ is yet another encouraging achievement for Goa’s emerging filmmaking community. It highlights how a new generation of Goan filmmakers, particularly Gen Z creators, are stepping beyond conventional storytelling and experimenting with different genres, visual narratives and unconventional cinematic techniques.

With its minimalistic approach, absence of dialogue and emotionally driven narrative, ‘Rishi’ demonstrates that cinema does not always need words to communicate powerful emotions. Its selection at an international festival in New York is not just a recognition of the film, but also a testament to the creativity, courage and evolving cinematic vision of young Goan filmmakers. As Goan cinema continues to explore new forms of storytelling, films like ‘Rishi’ are helping take the creative voice of Goa beyond geographical boundaries and onto the international stage.