Ishan Shukla’s debut sci-fi animated film, “Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust,” is slated to make its world premiere at the 2024 International Film Festival of Rotterdam (IFFR). The movie, featuring an ensemble voice cast including Golshifteh Farahani, Asia Argento, Soko, Shabaz Sarwar, Tibu Fortes, King Khan, Denzil Smith, and John Sutton, will be showcased as part of the festival’s Bright Future program—a selection of feature-length debuts known for original subject matter and unique styles, representing the forefront of contemporary filmmaking.
Set in a dystopian world where individuals wear paper bags to erase differences, “Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust” unfolds as the protagonist, a new council member in love with a free-spirited girl, becomes entangled in a web of incidents revealing a new reality. The film is an expansion of Shukla’s 2016 short film of the same title, which received accolades at over 120 international film festivals and was longlisted for the Academy Awards.
Ishan Shukla expressed his excitement, stating, “‘Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust’ is the culmination of my decade-long journey dedicated to crafting a film that transcends boundaries and mediums. I am truly exhilarated that this narrative, reflecting our zeitgeist, is on the brink of being unveiled to the world.”
In addition to the main cast, the animated film boasts guest voices from prominent filmmakers and personalities, including Karan Johar, Shekhar Kapur, Anurag Kashyap, actor-singer Piyush Mishra, Filipino director Lav Diaz, and French auteur Gasper Noe.
“Schirkoa: In Lies We Trust” is a collaborative effort between Red Cigarette Media, Shukla’s Vadodara-based animation studio, Dissidenz Films, and Rapid Eye Movies. It is produced in association with Civic Studios and French Sofica Cofinova 18, with executive production by Civic Studios’ founder Anushka Shah and co-production by Samir Sarkar.
The International Film Festival of Rotterdam is scheduled to take place from January 24 to February 4, 2024.