India’s Platoon One Films has signed on as the lead production company for Pramati Anand’s feature debut ‘Late Autumn Dream’.
The project was one of the six titles selected for the Women in Indian Film Delegation to the Toronto Film Festival earlier this year, and was also formally selected at the NFDC Writers Lab held at the WAVES Film Bazaar in Goa, along with Studio Ainak’s Rewrite 1.2.
Written and directed by Anand, Late Autumn Dream combines sociopolitical drama with lyrical mystery, exploring themes of identity, displacement, and relationships. Set in the fog-shrouded hills of Meghalaya, this story follows Jonaki Das, a Bengali anthropology student, and Banteim, an indigenous Khasi girl, who wander into a mystical forest rumored to be haunted by mythical serpent-like creatures. As state border conflicts rage around them, two young women must navigate both the wilderness and cultural differences to survive.
This project aligns with Platoon One Films’ focus on IP-driven storytelling with cross-platform potential. “Today, cinema is deeply dependent on IP, and its influence extends far beyond the screen to games, merchandise, and other immersive experiences,” said Shiladitya Bora, founder of Platoon One Films. “We’ve been looking for a story that can live across formats, a world that is universal yet adaptable to this market. In many ways, ‘Late Autumn Dream’ fits that vision perfectly. It’s a rich enough world to grow, evolve and expand far beyond the film itself.”
Anand’s script is based on personal experience. “I worked on a UNESCO project to document the indigenous craft of weaving living root bridges. Deep in the forest, a close friend had a near-death experience, and my own disturbing premonitions about it forced me to write about what happened,” Anand said. “This film grew from that moment, and from my own desire to understand the nuances of identity, the invisible lines we draw between ourselves and others, and the silent ways we continue to seek belonging.”
Platoon One’s ‘Bayaan’ premiered in Toronto earlier this year and ‘Bindusagar’ at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, where WAVES Film Bazaar is a market component.
