Rima Das' 'Not a Hero' Set for Asian Premiere at Busan International Film Festival
Asian Premiere of 'Not a Hero'
'Not a hero' is a deeply local & intimate story about childhood, freedom and the boundless imagination of an 11-year-old boy.
GUWAHATI, Sept 2: Renowned filmmaker Rima Das is set to showcase her latest feature, 'Not a Hero', at the Busan International Film Festival, marking its Asian premiere in the A Window on Asian Cinema section.
The film's trailer was unveiled in anticipation of its screening at Busan, scheduled for October 8.
This selection continues Das' strong relationship with the festival, as her previous works, including 'Bulbul Can Sing', 'Tora’s Husband', and 'Village Rockstars 2', have also been featured there. Notably, 'Village Rockstars 2' earned the Kim Jiseok Award for Best Film in 2024.
'Not a Hero' had its global debut at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2026, where it was part of the Generation Kplus Competition and received a Special Mention from the Children’s Jury.
The film also garnered the Best Indie Film Award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2026 after its premiere in Australia.
Das expressed her appreciation for the Busan International Film Festival, highlighting its role in promoting Asian cinema and providing a platform for diverse cultural narratives. She stated, “Not a Hero comes from that same impulse. It is a deeply local and intimate story about childhood, freedom and the boundless imagination of an 11-year-old boy.”
The narrative follows an 11-year-old boy who leaves the city for his ancestral village, where he meets a distant aunt, befriends a horse, and embarks on adventures with local children, discovering the joys of life away from urban constraints.
Das conveyed her excitement about returning to Asia with this film and looks forward to sharing it with audiences while exploring other films and filmmakers from the region.
'Not a Hero' is produced by Flying River Films in collaboration with Akanga Film Asia and Train Tripper Films, with Paris-based MMM Sales managing its global distribution.
Other notable Indian and co-produced films featured in the A Window on Asian Cinema section include 'Birds on Ice' by Sahil H Shah, 'Khoriya' by Vishwendra Singh, 'The Soul Whisperer' by Leo Thaddeus, 'Lovers in the Blue Night' by Anuparna Roy, and 'About an Intimate Matter' by Sandeep Kumar Paul.
The Busan International Film Festival stands as one of Asia's premier film festivals, offering a vital platform for both established and emerging filmmakers from the region.