'Fireflies in the Abyss' selected for Canadian documentary fest

Director Chandrasekhar Reddy's documentary-feature "Fireflies in the Abyss" has been selected for 2016 Hot Docs, a Canadian International Documentary Festival, hence becoming the only Indian 'docu-feature' chosen for the fest.

The festival will be held from April 28 to May 6 and will screen the documentary in the World Showcase section.

"Fireflies in the Abyss" is selected among 38 best features from across the world and was premiered at the Busan International Film Festival. In India, it premieres at the 14th Mumbai International Film Festival, winning the Golden Conch award for Best Documentary Feature film and the Best Cinematography in the National Competition category, read a statement.

This will be the 23rd edition of the Canadian festival, which is held annually in Toronto, Ontario state.

Reddy's documentary captures the dream of an 11-year-old boy who fights his way out of life in the rat-hole coalmines, to put himself in school.

"After the response and appreciation at the festivals, it is a great opportunity for the film to get a platform at HotDocs, which will help reach the North American audiences and market," Reddy said in a statement.

"The Toronto audiences are known to be hugely appreciative and I am really looking forward to present the film there. There is also a brilliant selection of films this year to watch, including Herzog's new film and am hoping to catch some of them," he added.

Besides "Fireflies in the Abyss", the documentary-short, "Amdavad Ma Famous" directed by Hardik Mehta will also be competing at the international shorts category.