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

‘Watan’ (Homeland) is located against a turbulent political time — the exodus of Hindus from Sindh where the ramifications of the India-Pakistan partition has left the community in mortal peril. The narrative adopts a micro approach to discuss the consequences of these upheavals on the life of a particular family. 
 A crucial part of the plot comes to pivot on a father's refusal to leave his homeland, while his son, Topan, desperately tries to convince him to move to India with the rest of the family. 

As the layers of the narrative are unpeeled, notions of belonging, home, safety and communal sentiments are discussed one by one. The chaos of the circumstance is eventually presented to the viewer in a seamless manner. Even though a few rough edges persist within the screenplay, the end result is notably supplemented by its performances and writing.

Watan | Short Film Nominee

The film is intended to pay tribute to the community and service of sanitation workers which is oft
neglected. In India, where it is the feudal caste system that is deployed to oppress and determine the
occupation of a whole section of people, the sanitation workers are placed at the lowest ladder of that
hierarchy. In the mode of a graphic novel, The Saviour tells a tale of affirmation. However, it seems as the film only depicts one part of the narrative. Some development of the plot, even in its episodic structure, would have helped highlight better
the point the film wishes to put across. Overall, it should be noted that marked by pretty visuals, the film has its heart in the right place.

The Saviour | Short Film Nominee

‘Kemra’ is a long, wonderful look into the life of a village in Ladakh, and the manner in which a sense of community operates within it. The same is presented to us by way of Neha, a girl from the city, or as the locals call it, from “down”, who has ended up living at the house of a villager, due to an unexpected alignment of the different variables of her trip. She is a documentary filmmaker who spends her time interacting and interviewing those around her. Consequently, our introduction to this close-knit community is executed through the many interactions she has with it. 

 From kind Tashi to endearing Chosla to apple-cheeked Rabsal, in this docufiction, we meet the perfect microcosms of a society those outside it might not be aware of. This is a small pocket of the world where people take care of each other, the children and the elderly alike. They have adapted to the life of a cold desert and the many challenges it presents in the form of harsh winters, lack of water, along with the geographical remoteness of the area. 

At the heart of the narrative, however, lies an unexpected incident of a potential theft and the many ways it can affect the relationship of the affectionate, well-meaning villagers with tourists in general, and Neha in particular. While completing a journey that explores all of these points, the plot also presents a comment on the several ways life in the city differs from that in a rural pocket of Ladakh. It also objectively offers differing views on how progress and development might be changing the region as it once was. 

The final result puts forth a sincere, meticulous delineation of the village and its people. While the narrative can gain from a little more tightness, it still remains engaging and heartwarming throughout, presenting a balanced, complete picture of Ladakh for anyone who might be looking to interact with its life and times, as well as a lovely story that is sure to keep you entertained all along.

Kemra | Short Film Nominee

The transgender community is one of the most vulnerable and marginalized in the world. In
India, the eunuch has a cultural function. On occasions of happy beginnings, be it a wedding or the birth
of a child, their blessings are considered auspicious. On the rest of the days, they are shunned by
the same people. 
This Video Volunteers documentary records the stories, journeys and anecdotes of some of the eunuchs
and the issues they face in the ceremonies. It also features some of the ceremonies in performance. By mapping their experiences, the narrative also endeavours to raise significant questions about the location of the transgender community in society, and the tough battle they are waging while trying to secure an equal status for themselves.

Mangalamukhi | Short Film Nominee

The film is a sweet story about a single afternoon when three characters come together under most unlikely and unusual circumstances. After Vasanth’s grandmother has to leave for an important task, and he is locked outside his house, along with Anu, the two end up waiting at the house of their neighbor, Karthikeyan. 

Soon a scene of awkwardness, discomfort for the adults, and fun and naughtiness for Vasanth, follows. As the story unfolds, however, there is the attempt to make a comment about the importance of community as well as finding moments of belongingness in a society and world where most times one might feel themselves to be a misfit or an outsider. It is in the process of presenting all of these ideas that the film comes together as a whole in a sincere manner.

Kaatrin Pokkile | Short Film Nominee

Dharohar documents a community of artist/artisans based in a small village in Chhattisgarh. Despite
having been awarded prestigious national and international honours, the community has lagged behind in its
means. Members of the community of generational artists who practised the craft have been forced to
give it up and find employment in the nearby brick-making factories. The film points to the imbalanced
power nexus in the capitalist market which divides the artist from the artisan, exploits both, profits off
their labour and keeps them impoverished. 
Looking at the conditions and confessions of the craftsmen, one could never have known of their
invaluable skill; and that is a deplorable plague of the system.

Dharohar | Short Film Nominee

The short narrative is a dedicated attempt in making an unequivocal comment about the CAA-NRC debate that shook the country in the recent past. As hundreds of thousands of people took to streets to protest against the demand to prove one's nationality if they belonged to a certain community or religion, ideas of unity, community and what it means to be an Indian became a crucial part of our daily discourse. 

'Khwaab' is an endeavor in furthering the same conversation by showing the dependency of a woman on her Muslim domestic help, one whose identity is in direct line of threat as a result of political and national developments. The final result exhibits potential in storytelling and visuals which further evidence the desire to experiment.

Khwaab | Short Film Nominee

The short narrative is well-intentioned and wants to make a comment about unity and secularism. Ahead of Independence Day, a radio show discusses the many issues plaguing the country in the name of communal discord. 

Alongside this is a scene around a bonfire where four soldiers, each of a different faith, sit alongside each other, ready to fight together in the name of protecting the nation. It is through the contrast of these two scenarios that Idukkan Kalai (The Tribulation) hopes to share its message with the viewer, and echo its message of futility of discrimination as well as of the importance of peace and harmony.

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