BFI acquires Hotel Salvation for UK release

LONDON – 10 May 2017. Hotel Salvation, directed by Shubhashish Bhutiani, which has already won ten Indian and international film awards, has been acquired for the UK by BFI Distribution.

The film won the Prix Enrico Fulchignoni at last year’s Venice Film Festival – an award given by the International Council of Film and Television at UNESCO to the Venice film that best represents the values of peace and human rights. Last weekend it won Best Film at the New York Indian Film Festival. Hotel Salvation is now a strong contender to be India’s Academy Award entry in 2018.

This gentle and tender Indian comedy follows the ordeal of an over-worked modern son forced to accompany his 77 year old father, who is in search of salvation, to the holy city of Varanasi. The film showcases bravura performances from renowned actors Adil Hussain (Life of Pi), Lalit Behl (Titli) and Geetanjali Kulkarni (Court). 

The film will receive its UK premiere at BFI Southbank in the Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival (LIFF) (22 – 29 June) on 27 June (tickets on sale 16 May). It will then open in late Summer in cinemas UK-wide and at BFI Southbank as a centrepiece of the BFI’s India on Film season (running April – December 2017); part of UK/India 2017, a major cultural celebration between the two countries in collaboration with the British Council.

The deal was negotiated by Julie Pearce, Head of BFI Distribution, and Marina Fuentes, Director of International Sales & Acquisitions at Cinestaan International Ltd.

Julie Pearce says “We are so happy to be distributing Shubhashish Bhutiani’s charming and life-affirming first feature (following his award-winning short film, Kush) which we think will strongly appeal to UK audiences. He is part of the current new wave of fresh and exciting young Indian directors and is, without doubt, a talent to watch.”

Shubhashish Bhutiani the director of the film says “I am absolutely thrilled that we will be working with the BFI for the UK release. We couldn't have asked for more, and after such warm responses from all around the world and in India, I can't wait to see how the audience in the UK reacts to the film.” 

Sanjay Bhutiani, Producer, Red Carpet Moving Pictures says “We couldn’t be happier with BFI releasing our film in the UK and feel honoured that Hotel Salvation is chosen as the centrepiece of BFI’s India on Film, as part of the cultural celebration between the two countries.” 

Marina Fuentes, Sales Agent, C International Sales says “Rarely does a film make you laugh and cry at the same time, Hotel Salvation is one such film; deep, sublime and yet humorous, rooted in Indian values and culture.”

About the BFI

The BFI is the lead body for film in the UK with the ambition to create a flourishing film environment in which innovation, opportunity and creativity can thrive by:

•      Connecting audiences to the widest choice of British and World cinema

•      Preserving and restoring the most significant film collection in the world for today and future generations

•      Championing emerging and world class film makers in the UK - investing in creative, distinctive and entertaining work

•      Promoting British film and talent to the world 

•      Growing the next generation of film makers and audiences

The BFI is a Government arm’s-length body and distributor of Lottery funds for film. The BFI serves a public role which covers the cultural, creative and economic aspects of film in the UK. It delivers this role:

•      As the UK-wide organisation for film, a charity core funded by Government

•      By providing Lottery and Government funds for film across the UK

•      By working with partners to advance the position of film in the UK.

Founded in 1933, the BFI is a registered charity governed by Royal Charter.

The BFI Board of Governors is chaired by Josh Berger CBE.

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