'Shades of a Kite' brings to the screen a powerful narrative about a haunted house and the manner in which it threatens the safety of a family that has recently moved there. Anna, a single mother, shifts to a house in a new city with her three-year-old daughter. The film unfolds to reveal a sense of deep disconcertment which is achieved with dimly lit visuals, marked by their deliberate instability to disorient the viewer. The handheld shots when combined with the greys on screen produce an unease, and the invocation of this very sentiment allows the film to be successful in its endeavor to be a horror story. 

In terms of thought, the plot draws attention to differing ideas that conform to science and spirituality, the question of the supernatural in the logical world of mental health experts. All of this is further enhanced by beautiful animation that adds a new dimension to the story. When coupled with notable graphics and convincing performances, the film indeed becomes a successful product as well as an enjoyable viewing experience for all horror enthusiasts.

Shades of a Kite | Short Film of the Month

The little moments that constitute life are weaved together most seamlessly in this anthology of short films. From the loneliness of old age, and a deep desire to reconnect with someone, to the little joys of simply eating an ice cream - the thematic concerns are far and wide across the spectrum, and yet never out of synchronisation with one another. Each story that the film offers is more powerful than the other, and is bound to stay with the viewer long after they are done watching it. The subtle, but potent commentary the narrative presents on issues of gender, misogyny are loud and clear, without falling in the trap of sentimentalism. Additionally, the film's insight on old age and mental health is noteworthy. The performances and portrayal of all the characters enhance the stories further, ensuring that often only the eyes are sufficient to express and communicate the intended sentiment, even before the film makes it explicit for you. All of these elements together allow Jump Cuts to work on several levels, making its success well-rounded and complete in itself.

Jump Cuts | Short Film of the Month

‘Ayak’’s world is constructed with a controlled, and steady hand, taking the viewer into the story gradually, but irrevocably. The sustained pace ensures that even though the dialogue in the film is frugal, you are deeply invested in the fate of the protagonist. Manu has arrived at the Forest of Chithari to perform an age-old ritual that takes place every twenty years. 

The forest is not only the abode of innumerable secrets and unsaid things, but also of forces far beyond Manu’s comprehension. The story that began in ancient Egypt, is about to come to fruition with his arrival for the ritual. Ayak, or the potion that unites one with the gods, is soon presented to him in the most unlikely circumstances. 

As the events unfold, the film puts forth a narrative that is quiet, but stern. It employs no sudden thrills or jump scares to unsettle the viewer, and still ensures that it remains disconcerting throughout. The visuals of the vast expanses enhance it manifold, as do the smooth edit and the screenplay. The seamless weaving of all of these elements allows 'Ayak' to become a beautiful final result that is not simply defined by mystery or thrill, but also by an element of fantasy and something terrible awaiting right around the corner.

Ayak | Short Film of the Year

The short film is beautiful in terms of the pacing, the tone and the narrative it weaves using its visuals. Marked by seamlessness and sophistication, the poetry takes the viewer into a world of shadows which conceal some magical beings and all that they carry within themselves. The writing is notable and employs words smartly and poignantly to convey its intentions. The film is specifically relevant in contemporary times for it carries an important social message, urging the viewer to not forget to light up the lives of those we may have, knowingly or unknowingly, forced into oblivion and forgetfulness, especially during the pandemic. The communication is lucid, coherent, skilled, and manages to convey it all in a moving manner.

The Invisible Humans  | Short Film of the Month

The documentary presents a concise, but compelling account of the many tribal identities in Wayanad, a small pocket of Kerala. Along with offering a glimpse into the many threads that tie together to constitute this whole which is far from being a monolithic entity, it further introduces the viewer to the efforts of those who are trying to conserve primarily the linguistic aspect of it. For instance, as the narrative introduces to the viewer, each tribe had songs for different occasions. These songs, in the process, became their history, and the loss of these tunes and rhymes is tantamount to a huge loss of a cultural identity we might never get back. The film draws your attention to all of these aspects of a society that operates and thrives far from our urban existence, and retains all the lyricism and poetry of its subject while doing so. The visuals of the film are especially beautiful and are thereby able to support its subject matter efficiently, allowing the final product to be an engrossing and insightful documentary.

Kanavu | Short Film Nominee

There are very few films in the independent space which have perfected the craft of the short film, and this one
is certainly one of those. It is based in a realistic film mode and yet, is wholly complete in itself, unlike projects that seem like part of a longer product. Everything one expects from a feature, is achieved by it. 
Kaanapedatha Malakhamar is a story of a father and his daughter, navigating their way during a pandemic. With each small interval,
the film brings the viewer new information which completes the picture, the larger vision. The art
direction is fantastic, the actors are most competent, the screenplay and cinematography are as good as
married to each other. With a form so evolved, the film still packs punches as larger social comments.
Highly impressive work.

Kaanapedatha Malakhamar | Short Film of the Day

The narrative of the documentary follows a fairly interesting subject - the skateboarding community of Kochi. Through its interaction with the many skateboarders of the Fly Squad, the short film offers a wonderful and sincere portrayal of their highs and lows, the obstacles strewn in their path, and their dedicated and single-minded efforts to overcome them. Essentially, the story is of hope and never quitting irrespective of what the journey throws your way in the form of financial problems, lack of facilities, gender discrimination (not by the skateboarding community, but society itself who finds it difficult to allow women and young girls into public space) and so much more. This is further enhanced by skilled camerawork and shots of a city exhibiting finesse and potential for much more in the future projects of the team. In all, the film is a reminder to keep working towards something you truly believe in, and allowing it to become your very own personalised expression of freedom.

Free Flying | Short Film of the Day

Delirium is a skilled execution of an entire story within the confines of a single room. With a notable performance by its only actor, the film weaves a narrative of a young man struggling with heartbreak. As it progresses, it further presents to the viewer visuals and editing that exhibit potential. The plot develops to introduce us with the protagonist's relationship with intoxicants, and eventually reveals a reality opposite of what the viewer might have expected. Though the film would have benefited from a tighter pace and a more subtle background score, its simple story is told with a sincerity and honesty that is hard to miss. It further gives a glimpse into an individual's battle with substances, as well as emotional blackholes, both of which threaten to pull him back inside at the slightest negligence and loss of control. On the whole, the story manages to involve its audience to the extent that it is in the triumphs of the protagonist that their triumph lies.

Delirium | Short Film of the Day

The protagonist's day starts off at the very wrong foot. From a quarrel with his wife regarding a broken window to annoyance at the carpenter who refuses to show up for work he has already been paid for, the tribulations have no end. All of the drama unfolds within a lusciously green corner tucked away in a rural, peaceful part of Kerala where there is little available by means of entertainment beyond prying into your neighbor's life. 

Despite the aforementioned obstacles, there is still little more in store for the protagonist who is yet to battle a punctured tire, but most important of all, an unexpected call from his father-in-law. After catching a humongous murrel, a fish known for its delicious meat, he is busy with the preparations of an elaborate lunch when the fateful call occurs. 

 By employing all of these events, further marked by their quiet humor at the haplessness of the protagonist, the narrative moves from one development to another effortlessly. All along, the viewer is kept engrossed and entertained at his expense, eventually allowing the film to come together as a coherent, cohesive whole.

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