Looking back on Valentine's Day over the years, you realise we have celebrated singlehood, female companionships, pets, so on and so forth. Just when you thought there's nothing new that can be added to the list, a short film arrived with the most relevant and wonderful message. This V-Day, let's celebrate women who make the first move. Making a strong comment on gender dynamics, Old Fashioned Love, is about a conversation between a bartender and a man sketching by himself. The first reaction for many viewers can be of surprise - to see a woman behind the bar in India, and that is perhaps another comment that the film makes. The conversation between them is intelligently written. The narrative is simple and engaging and concludes with a powerful ending.

Old Fashioned Love | Short Film of the Day

It's comforting to see more and more voices join the conversation around choice. When it comes to a woman's attire, everyone seems to have an opinion which they would enthusiastically share with the world without the slightest request. In such a scenario, when two women sit down to have a calm conversation about their idea of dressing, it's indeed a refreshing change. No matter where you find yourself on the spectrum of covering up your body, you will definitely find something in the video to agree with. The idea behind it is simple, but powerful like strong narratives should be. It's well-argued, well-scripted and well-performed. So, when a young actor in her ripped jeans meets an English Literature professor in a burqa at a bus stop, whose ideology would echo with you more?

Marzi | Short Film of the Day

When Baz Luhrman says your siblings are a link to your past and most likely to stick with you in the future, does it hold true for all sibling equations? The short film will engage with this concern as it takes you into the life of two sisters, one studying on the eve of her exam, the other having just returned from a long day at work. As the two find themselves at the centre of several subsequent quarrels, Sweet and Sour progresses to reveal a grave truth. Does a relationship between two sisters always have to be of love and nurturing? How does this truth about their relationship affect their already conflicted equation? The film, in its short duration, would raise and attempt to answer all of these questions, and in the process, leave the audience with a unique aspect of a sibling relationship.

Sweet and Sour |  Short Film of the Day

The short film has done the unthinkable - it has attributed sexuality to Indian mothers. This Mother's Day, it provides us with a much needed conversation on the intimate desires of a woman, irrespective of her age. As is true of many Blush videos, this one too intuitively raises questions on behalf of the audience - how can a middle aged mother have these desires? Is this even expected from her? How can she procure a sex toy? - and answers them all. It is wonderful in the manner it shows a confident woman, embracing her sexuality with no guilt or shame, and reminds the viewer that a woman's sexuality is no one's business except hers.

Risky Business | Short Film of the Day

It's a Sunday afternoon while a mom impatiently awaits her daughter's return. She is edgy when the daughter finally arrives. Isha, the daughter, is also visibly distressed and immediately the viewer is informed that there is indeed a deeper narrative developing in the story. Khilaaf is a short film which explores the mother-daughter dynamics, a relation between two women who have faced a tragedy together and the manner in which their entire relationship has been moulded and transformed by it. At its conclusion, the film has a relevant message about love, loss and the inevitable forward progression of life.

Khilaaf | Short Film of the Day

The short film does a good job of convincing you of its predictability, and then an even better one of proving you wrong. It’s the story of one afternoon where a solo trip is being discussed by a mother and daughter duo over a cup of tea. The mother has apprehensions of what it is to begin while the daughter is convinced of what a wonderful experience it is to be by yourself. Not entirely subtle in its messaging, the short film leaves you with a reminder to be kinder to your parents, especially when they forget it themselves.

Zindagi Ki Itinerary | Short Film of the Day

The video is a montage of different women against the recitation of a poem about a dancer's feet and what it means to be a woman in this world. Released on the occasion of International Dance Day, it's a reminder of the various ways in which a woman finds herself moving between failure, rejection, condescension and dismissal by society. While the video sews together simple but lovely visuals, it still does not match up to Culture Machine's other productions on gender and related topics. It celebrates dance and women and the manner in which art empowers, but there is nothing extraordinary about the writing or the voiceover that will stay with the viewer.

My Dear Aching Feet | Short Film of the Day

This Holi, here's a heartwarming message that reminds you how to celebrate it off your phone and away from screens. A grandmother is alone at home with her granddaughter who'd rather click pictures of gujia than eat them. The short film is an endearing exploration of their bond and the manner in which generation gap fits in there. In case you were wondering how to celebrate #AsliHoli, how about this short film that will leave you with a few ideas about spreading love and colour.

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