The narrative opens with the voice of a sole character, and his misadventures in the world of dating. However, after the reality that unfolded in his past experiences, the one he now presents to his listener is the exact opposite. 

The layers get peeled in order to conjure a world of rejections, denial and always the same dead end in the pursuit of love. Through the many shared stories, the protagonist’s worldview as well as his ideas on love in the modern day, are brought to life, whether or not they seem consistent with his efforts. As notions of relationships and dating are discussed, little do the viewer and the protagonist realize that there awaits them an event that would stick out its head suddenly and unexpectedly and, in the process, justify the film's title.

Woah! | Short Film Nominee

The plot of the short film is an interesting take on the myth of Sisyphus and how it applies to contemporary times where a deep infestation of technology has taken over our lives. Using the reference of the Greek king who was punished by the gods to be stuck in an endless cycle of pushing a boulder up a mountain to only have it rolled back at the end of the climb, the film invokes the same sense of cyclicality and entrapment when it comes to our smartphones. While there may exist books and the outdoors, somehow we will always find ourselves metaphorically (or literally, as in the case of the protagonist) chained to our phones. The screenplay further attempts a contrast between light and darkness to convey its idea of what falls where. What, in the end, would be the fate of the modern day Sisyphus?

Sisyphus | Short Film Nominee

A man is gearing for a mission. He shares with the viewer his conflicts, dilemmas and purpose, and
attributes them to humanity. He says that it was out of compassion for mankind that he was
inspired to take the path, and clarifies that his aim had nothing to do with organised religion, a
qualification that is highly valued. Bordering on agnosticism, the protagonist still wants to compel the Almighty, if there be one, to give him
the answers he is looking for. Though the man is portrayed as a stalker, it is him the gaze of the film is focused at, as though stalking the stalker himself. It is clear that the act he has planned is one of terror. The rest of the narrative is simply about letting it unfold organically. Marked by skilled camerawork and a notable voiceover, the film is a sincere endeavour to be engaging.

Maqsad | Short Film Nominee

'Ashwatthama', a story of anger, helplessness and revenge, offers a world of metaphors. The narrative speaks of poetry, stars, and most important of all - a forest. The protagonist, Parikshit, is reeling with the loss of his father, snatched from him in a violent assassination. Battling the ensuing grief, he now feels like Ashwatthama from Mahabharata who was cursed with immortality and doomed to wander with an unhealed wound until the end of times. Parikshit too finds himself at the heart of a wild, dense forest of his thoughts, finding a physical representation in him wandering the banks of the Narmada river. The storytelling and the manner in which its many components are weaved together exhibit potential and should definitely be engaged with further.

Ashwatthama | Short Film Nominee

The story conjured by Romeo is one of love, passion, abuse and violence. In its short duration, the film attempts an engagement with all of these thematic concerns, while also putting forth the progression trajectories of the various characters. Additionally, it is an honest, sincere endeavour to share its thoughts and intentions with the viewer, but would have gained from lucidity in visuals and narrative developments.

Romeo| Short Film Nominee

If one were to imagine the self as a physical structure in the liking of a building, one that harbours within itself the past, present, future, and everything that they encompass, adopting a poetic narrative to express these thoughts would indeed be a beneficial decision. This is precisely what Imaarat does, introducing the viewer to its protagonist and his several engagements with his own thoughts and experiences. The film also offers a notable combination of words and music, exhibiting potential in terms of writing. However, it could have gained from more attention to its visuals and lighting.

Imaarat | Short Film Nominee

The narrative of Akshamya chooses to locate itself two decades in the future where society has advanced by leaps and bounds in terms of technology. However, the world is at the brink of war as Ra prepares to go into battle and vanquish his enemies. Before the events come to be, he is visited by a woman from the opposing side. She has come to see him not as a diplomat or ambassador, but as a mother asking Ra to not participate in the war that would determine the fate of not only the human race, but also her son. As the conversation progresses, crucial details are revealed about the plot, the ruler of the land who is called the Great One, along with unexpected revelations about the past. The final result exhibits sincerity, but a little fine-tuning in the department of lighting would have allowed it to be more than what it already is.

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