#France #Cannes #Mayilaa #Newton Cinema #Salim Ahamed

Newton Cinema's Enthralling Cannes Debut

On May 12, 2026, Newton Cinema captured the attention of filmmakers and enthusiasts alike at the prestigious Cannes Film Market with its impressive debut. The spotlight shone brightly on the world premiere of the film MAYILAA, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Semmalar Annam, at the Lérins Cinéma Club.

This marks a pivotal moment for Newton Cinema as it represents a diverse selection of auteur films in various languages, including Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, English, French, and German. The films showcase a wide range of perspectives and artistic courage, resonating with a global audience. Visitors can find Newton Cinema at kiosk Palais -1, 27.03.

Following the unveiling of MAYILAA, Newton Cinema also announced its showcasing of LEFTOVER, the fifth film directed by the renowned Salim Ahamed, featuring a talented cast which includes Arjun Radhakrishnan, Zarin Shihab, Tanmay Dhanania, Shweta Basu Prasad, and Roshan Mathew. The screenplay is crafted by both Salim Ahamed and P. V. Shajikumar, while the film is brought to life through the direction of Sharan Velayudhan, with editing by A. Sreekar Prasad, music by Christo Xavier, and other notable contributions.

Salim Ahamed, a prominent figure in Indian cinema, is celebrated for his previous work Adaminte Makan Abu, which won four accolades at the Indian National Film Awards and represented India at the Academy Awards. His filmography includes titles like Pathemari, Kunjananthante Kada, and And the Oscar Goes To. He expresses the essence of LEFTOVER: "It emerges from silence, memory, and moral urgency. It conveys pain without spectacle, dignity without explanation, and a shared human experience that transcends borders. I am grateful to Newton Cinema for enabling the film's presentation to professionals in cinema globally."

MAYILAA has already made a winning impression, having premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam and winning the Audience Award in Toulouse. Details regarding the world premiere of LEFTOVER will be released in the coming weeks, leaving audiences eagerly anticipating what's next.

In addition to these remarkable films, Newton Cinema's Cannes Market lineup features The Gambler, directed by Prasanna Vithanage; The Sorbonne Conspiracy, by Salim Ahamed; and The Wild Hunt, directed by TIFF alumnus Nithin Lukose.

Newton Cinema is actively engaging with international representatives and Indian distribution partners for its film festival presentations and theatrical releases of both LEFTOVER and MAYILAA along with other upcoming titles.

Anto Chittilappilly, the founder, CEO, and producer of Newton Cinema, shares the vision of the organization: "We are cultivating a space dedicated to auteur cinema, supporting filmmakers whose works possess a distinct signature and consciousness. Through LEFTOVER, MAYILAA, and our forthcoming collection of films, we aim to uplift independent filmmakers, safeguard challenging yet essential narratives, and amplify marginalized voices in global cinema."

Newton Cinema stands as a beacon for international auteur film production, providing a platform for independent filmmakers and underrepresented voices, with offices based in key locations like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Colombo, and Kochi.

For press inquiries, please reach out to [email protected] or visit their website at www.newtoncinema.com.

Follow them on social media at @newton_cinema.