'It is for the first time that a film of mine will be released in theatres and Indian audiences will finally be able to buy tickets and experience it on a big screen, where cinema truly comes to life.'

'Hope is about being more accepting of each other, the kind of solidarity and friendship that even our families may not be able to give.'

The last Indian movie to be selected for the main competition was Shaji N Karun's 1994 movie "Swaham".