Ensconced within the wilderness of Madhya Pradesh is the Pench National Park where the film takes us. The park is home to hundreds of different types of birds, as well as scores of animals. With only a small percentage available for tourism, for endeavors like the safari we go on with the film, the rest of the park remains the abode to predators and their prey, to the grazing herbivores as well as the many colorful birds. The film introduces us to the beautifully balanced ecosystem of the space, with special moments like the sighting of a 14-year-old tigress with a limp in her paw. 

A conversation around the preservation of the ecosystem, along with fighting man-made problems like poaching, and natural disasters like cyclones and storms is also presented to the viewer. Tying its visual progression with stills sometimes takes away some of the narrative's seamlessness. Perhaps more mood shots of the space itself could have enhanced this aspect. On the whole, however, the film remains a long, heartfelt glimpse into a marvelous pocket of nature and the community that supports and nurtures it.

The Land of the Jungle Book | Short Film Nominee

A woman, dressed in an all-white attire, dances on a road in the darkness of the night. She is lit by a bright light which further adds a sense of dissonance to the whole setting, very much deliberate as is conveyed by the rest of the narrative. The dance continues, further asserting a sense of freedom and liberation until the reality of the film is revealed. 

When the moment arrives, the film presents the binary of the body and the soul where while one had once relinquished in captivity, the other is now set free, of darkness and light, of life and death itself. If on the one hand, there is an image of the end and incapacitation, on the other is one of a soaring flight. The performance shows skill and effort, as does the thought employed to portray it all.

The First Rain | Short Film Nominee

Two men, Kultaar Chatwal and Shounak, at vastly different stages of life, and in vastly different circumstances, find themselves united by a common thread of despair and existential dread. They are both disillusioned by the city and life they find themselves located in, and grapple with them in their own respective manner, as their shared loneliness and isolation further pronounce the film's title. However, one day things take the most unexpected turn when a woman called Kavery Chandra ends up at their doorstep. She is unfazed by the sight of two men drinking in a house by themselves and is more than comfortable sharing their accommodation for a week. 

The next morning introduces us to a Kavery who has taken over the household chores like cleaning and setting up the house, a plot progression that seems a little inconsistent with the character of a woman who is planning to stay for only a few days. However, if one chooses to view it as part of her cheery personality that aims to bring happiness within the narrative, perhaps it can be overlooked. The storytelling in itself presents to us an MPDG-esque character, something the viewer might have encountered previously in mainstream cinema. 

The performances of the three actors become the true strength of the film, as does its visual grammar, aiming to leave the viewer with an uplifting message about hope, optimism, and finding peace in the most unexpected ways, maybe even as unexpected as the entry of a woman who refuses to give up even in the face of the most overwhelming battles.

Out of Place | Short Film Nominee

The plot of ‘Tussle’ is centered around a pen drive, one that contains extremely incriminating details about several powerful people and their respective organizations. As members from each join the bid to acquire it, more specifically, Jake and his former mentor, David, the film presents its carefully constructed world to you. It is marked by stylized action which is free-flowing and seamless without any awkward punches (pun intended). 
Though the visual department has a limitation of resources and capacity, owing almost entirely to the fact that the whole film is shot on a smartphone, it exhibits a deep investment of thought and skill in making the progression of events come to life. The very endeavor of storytelling is marked by unmissable devotion and sincerity, despite the young voice of the filmmaker, and thus, should definitely be explored and developed in future projects.

Tussle | Short Film Nominee

Navin Kumar moved to Pune, Maharashtra from his native Rajasthan. With his cheery smile and twinkling eyes, our first impression of the film’s subject is marked by ease and endearment. However, his tale is far from that, as is revealed with the unfolding of the narrative. 

The protagonist, equipped with his story and experiences, is the most remarkable aspect of the film. Though it displays rough edges when it comes to production and a few technical aspects of the end result, they are easy to overlook in the face of the story that is presented to the viewer. 

'KB Future' is a film defined by its heart and soul. The story it offers is a difficult one, it is one of child marriage, caste discrimination, financial burdens, neglected health, familial duty, and lastly, of unrequited love and heartbreak. While our protagonist may openly profess his love for a girl he may never win over, he can still not reject his circumstance or the many oppressions, and discriminations life has offered him with the same openness and ease, presenting a quiet comment on the internalization of structures and how deep it runs. All of this is presented in a straightforward manner, without burdening the film with righteous morality or any explicit rejections or dismissals.

KB Future | Short Film Nominee

The film operates within a realm of contrasts. Using the same frame where a girl sits before a mirror, looking at her reflection, the past and the present are conjured. What was once a place of girlhood and cheer has now become a sight of violence. 

The protagonist’s side was once occupied by companionship, a guardian to watch over her. However, now the space is defined by oppression and violence. All of these images are combined and presented to the viewer, employing a notable performance. The contrast is not simply visual, but audio distortion further serves to drive the message home. The final result employs controlled resources to bring its reality to life, keeping itself cohesive throughout.

Chameli | Short Film Nominee

The film is a sweet reflection on the age-old concepts that have become an ingrained, unquestioned part of our lived reality. They have been passed down as tradition, and we never pause to question them. The idea at hand (pun intended) here is about the discrimination between the left and the right hand of a person. 

Through a conversation that develops between the two, attributing them anthropomorphic voices and identities, the film presents its thematic concerns to the viewer. In the process, there is an attempt to start a conversation around the notions of equality and sometimes even the resultant presumptions about identity. All of this is portrayed in a lighthearted, honest manner, keeping the viewer entertained during the course of the film.

L.H.S = R.H.S | Short Film Nominee

The protagonist of the film is a performer of the traditional street theatre in Tamil Nadu, terukkuttu. While the art form in itself is marked by its age-old heritage, the protagonist of the film, a terukkuttu performer, is derided by the upper-caste members of his society. This, in turn, presents an important preoccupation of the film - caste politics and linked discrimination. 

Attention is further drawn to the financial troubles of the artist, and how they affect his life as a doting father who struggles to fulfill his son, Elango’s wishes. He has performed as the same character for thirty years, to the extent that his own identity has fused with his fictive persona, also giving him immense joy. Yet, worldly and monetary success remains elusive. The film begins as an homage to not only terukkuttu performers but to art and artists everywhere. It portrays the struggles of the protagonist as well as contrasts them against the life of another actor, one who has achieved success in his profession. By uniting the narratives of these two men, the film offers its story to the audience.

Canvas | Short Film Nominee

The film is an endearing, innocent romance between Rudra and Priyal. It is notably supported by the chemistry of its actors and the ease they bring to their performances. Rudra has an anger problem which is coupled with physical distance between them as Priyal moves to a different city. The film opens with a glimpse into this situation as an otherwise ordinary phone call between the two devolves into a heated disagreement. 

The lovers deal with the many ups and downs of their relationship, endeavoring to forever keep moving forward. However, an unexpected development awaits Rudra on an otherwise happy day. As he arrives at the bus stop to receive Priyal, he finds himself faced with a rude shock. 

The narrative develops as an attempt to portray several emotions - from heartache and hurt to disappointment and absolute despair. The film makes some unexpected choices for its music and ropes in dramatic progressions to share the story. On the whole, the result remains earnest, marked by lucidity and dedication.

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