Spying Stars (2026)

Spying Stars, known in its native language as Turtle's Gaze on Spying Stars, is a 2025 Sri Lankan science fiction drama film directed and written by Vimukthi Jayasundara. The film features an ensemble cast including Indira Tiwari, Saumya Liyanage, and Samanalee Fonseka, and is presented entirely in the Sinhala language. It follows Anandi, an astronaut who returns to her home country after years of working in space, only to find herself isolated due to a sudden virus outbreak. This isolation forces her into the countryside, where she must navigate a series of unsettling events to uncover the truth behind her father's mysterious death.

The production faced significant delays, with filming originally scheduled for August but postponed indefinitely before eventually proceeding. The narrative blends elements of speculative fiction with grounded drama, utilizing the backdrop of the Sri Lankan landscape to explore themes of isolation, memory, and familial secrets. Jayasundara, known for his atmospheric and often surreal storytelling, continues his tradition of using local settings as a 'large film creation base' to tell intimate yet expansive stories.

Upon its release, the film garnered attention on the international festival circuit. It made its world premiere at the Busan International Film Festival in September 2025, where it was selected for the main competition unit. The film received critical recognition, earning a nomination for Best Picture at the 30th Busan International Film Festival, which took place from September 17 to 26, 2025. This nomination highlights the growing global interest in Sri Lankan cinema and Jayasundara's evolving body of work.

• Director Vimukthi Jayasundara has a history of success at major festivals, having previously won the Caméra d'Or at Cannes for his debut feature and receiving Golden Lion nominations at Venice.
• The film stars Samanalee Fonseka, who is the niece or nephew of Malini Fonseka, a legendary figure in Sri Lankan cinema.
• Indira Tiwari, one of the lead actors, brings international experience to the project, having previously worked in Hollywood productions such as Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
• The movie runs for 98 minutes and was completed after multiple production setbacks that delayed its initial start date.
• Spying Stars is notable for being one of the few recent sci-fi dramas to emerge from South Asia, blending genre conventions with regional cultural narratives.