Drishyam Films‘ critically acclaimed Newton which has been chosen as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards 2018, recently made its L.A. Premiere at the ongoing 31st American Film Institute (AFI) FEST 2017.

The film which is directed by Amit Masurkar and features Rajkummar Rao, Anjali Patil, Pankaj Tripathi and Raghubir Yadav in pivotal roles was chosen for the World Cinema section at this year’s edition of the AFI FEST which ranks amongst the most prestigious film festivals globally. Newton is an official selection along with 12 other Oscar contenders such as Chile’s A Fantastic Woman, Poland’s Spoor, Germany’s In The Fade etc, and the only Indian film playing at the Fest.

The L.A. Premiere of the film was attended by director Amit Masurkar and actor Anjali Patil who also walked the Red Carpet at the festival.

Newton which was released theatrically in India in September had made its World Premiere earlier this year at the 67th Berlin International Film Festival 2017 where it won the CICAE Art Cinema Award.  The film had also won the Jury Prize for Best Film at the 41st Hong Kong Film Festival 2017 and was recently picked as an Official Selection in the Indian Panorama section of 48th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), 2017.

AFI FEST Red Carpet

AFI FEST Red Carpet

Amit Masurkar, the director of Newton who was ecstatic with the response received by the film at its L.A. Premiere said, “It’s a great honour to screen our film here at the AFI Fest. What’s great about this festival is that it is absolutely free for the audience. We had a wonderful Q and A with the warm eclectic audience, and are thoroughly enjoying the response that the film is getting here!”

Equally thrilled with the audience response to the film was Anjali Patil, the lead actress of Newton who said, “It’s an honour to represent India with a film like Newton on the global stage. It was wonderful to see the connection with the super warm AFI audience. ”

Newton Q&A

Newton Q&A

Manish Mundra, the founder of Drishyam Films and producer of Newton said, “The L.A Premiere at AFI FEST is yet another milestone in Newton’s journey. From winning the CICAE Art Cinema Award at Berlinale 2017 to winning the Jury Prize at Hong Kong Film Festival 2017 to being selected at India’s Official entry to Oscars 2018  and now having its the LA Premiere at AFI Fest 2017, Newton has come a long way. We are humbled and proud, and gearing up to promote the film in the United States.”