By Rohan Rai
Toronto
In Search of The Sky (Vimukt), directed by Jitank Singh Gurjar received the NETPAC award for 2025 at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Presented by the Network for the Promotion of Asian Pacific Cinema, the NETPAC Award recognizes films specifically from the Asian and Pacific regions.
The film takes viewers to a small village in central India, where an old couple struggles to care for their grown-up son, who has trouble thinking clearly. Life is hard, and the people in the village make things even tougher for them. But they find hope in the Maha Kumbh Mela—a huge religious gathering—where they go looking for healing and a fresh start.
The jury consists of three international community members selected by TIFF and NETPAC, who award the prize to the best Asian film by a first or second-time feature director. The 2025 NETPAC jury members are Dina Iordanova, Helen Lee, and Keoprasith Souvannavong, who is serving as Jury Chair.
“For offering an indelible tale of tolerance, desperation and faith, conveyed through a unique lens of realism and poetics, elevated by striking performances. In Search of The Sky (Vimukt) is a truly independent achievement by Indian filmmaker Jitank Singh Gurjar”, said the jury.
