World sales rights to Yashasvi Juyal's debut feature «The Ink-Stained Hand and a Missing Thumb» have been acquired by Bangkok-based Diversion, the company announced. The film premiered in the Proxima Competition at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, one of Central Europe's most prominent cinema events.
The deal hands Diversion global responsibility for selling the film to distributors and exhibitors outside its home territory. The company is expected to introduce the title to international buyers at upcoming markets and festivals.
The film's next stop is the Singapore International Film Festival, where it will have its Asian premiere in the Asian Feature Film Competition. The selection marks a significant step for the debut feature, placing it in front of audiences and programmers across the Asia-Pacific region.
«The Ink-Stained Hand and a Missing Thumb» was produced by Uttarakhand-based Silvercord Films. The production company is rooted in the northern Indian state, a region that has increasingly drawn attention for independent filmmaking outside the traditional Mumbai industry hubs.
Karlovy Vary's Proxima Competition is dedicated to emerging filmmakers and formally inventive work, giving first- and second-time directors a platform alongside the festival's main Crystal Globe competition. A premiere in that section often serves as a launchpad for a film's international festival circuit and sales life.
Diversion, based in Bangkok, has built a reputation as a sales agent focused on independent and arthouse cinema from Asia and beyond. Taking on a debut Indian feature with a distinctive title and a festival pedigree fits the company's strategy of representing director-driven work with cross-border appeal.
The Singapore International Film Festival, held annually, is a key showcase for Southeast Asian and international cinema. Its Asian Feature Film Competition spotlights new work from filmmakers across the continent, and an Asian premiere there can raise a film's profile with regional distributors, streaming platforms, and critics.
For Juyal, the combination of a Karlovy Vary premiere and a Singapore competition slot represents a strong start for a first feature. Debut filmmakers often rely on such festival placements to attract sales interest, press attention, and eventual distribution deals in multiple territories.
Silvercord Films' involvement as producer underscores the growing visibility of production outfits based outside India's established film centers. Uttarakhand, known for its Himalayan landscapes, has seen a rise in regional film activity in recent years, though its output rarely reaches major European festivals.
The world sales arrangement with Diversion means international buyers will now be able to negotiate rights for their markets through a single Bangkok-based point of contact. Sales agents typically handle theatrical, television, and streaming rights, tailoring deals to each territory's distribution landscape.
Details of the financial terms were not disclosed. It is also not yet clear which territories or platforms might acquire the film following its Asian premiere in Singapore.
The film's trajectory reflects a broader pattern in the independent film world, where a strong festival premiere can quickly lead to a sales agent attachment and further festival invitations. For a debut feature from a regional Indian producer, that path can be decisive in reaching audiences beyond its home country.
With Diversion handling world sales and Singapore set as the next showcase, «The Ink-Stained Hand and a Missing Thumb» is positioned to continue its festival run while buyers assess its potential in international markets.