The story opens and closes with a suggestion of social media, an unmissable presence that will come to pervade the entire plot in a subtle manner. It is the distance that the film covers in between that endeavors to horrify and shock the viewer. This is supplemented by the portrayal of primarily one development - the arrival of a book at the protagonist’s doorstep. It is a cozy, wintery night, the lights are dim, the room warm, and yet, it soon becomes apparent that something sinister lurks underneath this image of domesticity. Even though the film loses some points when it comes to lighting, it remains equipped with elements of storytelling that will engage and involve the viewer all along.

The Book Trend | Short Film Nominee

The film opens with a horrifying tale involving demonic cults, human sacrifice, and a malicious spirit called Neelikaattan. In a village on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, a failed ritual about three decades ago left a village with missing children and blood on their hands, or so go the myths and legends about it. 

Now, two young filmmakers from Chennai make their way to the village to make a film on it. They are assisted by a local helper, Esakki who takes them around, acquainting them with their whereabouts. As the two begin their own exploration, a strange presence, a sage, appears at strategic moments, warning them to leave the village at once, before disappearing as quickly as he had appeared. 

The film presents a devoted effort in constructing its world for you, alongside the ambiance. The prop support especially strives to make it convincing for the viewer, coupled with a sincere conjuring of the screenplay and storytelling. As for our filmmakers, should they listen to the advice of this unlikely character, or is their fate truly sealed?

Slaves | Short Film Nominee

Two boys are cursed to be tied to each other, quite literally, by way of metal handcuffs. Not only are they confined indoors, much to the chagrin of one of them more than the other, but their movements are further restricted due to this forced arrangement. Stylistically, the film is sleek and upbeat, while generating humour to keep you sufficiently entertained and engrossed throughout, even at the cost of the plight of the two boys. As for the fateful circumstance in which our characters have landed themselves, there indeed exists a solution, but one they are both avoiding like the plague, and yet, the path that leads to it is truly the most unexpected of them all.

Hathkadiyan | Lockdown Film Challenge

When the film begins, we cannot tell who is being watched and who is doing the watching. This is a very
promising start for a horror film. Something is possessing humans, and an atmosphere of gloom is invoked. The pace of the plot is one of a deliberate slowdown. Additionally, the film employs sound, along with a lack of dialogue, to amplify its element of horror. It is further supplemented with visuals and special effects that exhibit potential. More than shadows and darkness, the narrative uses light and scenes marked by their brightness to reveal their intentions, another notable aspect of a horror story. However, the screenplay, though marked by its moments that startle the viewer and put them at unease, would have benefited from holding on to its secrets a little longer and not giving them away too soon.

Abishto | Short Film Nominee

A man is going about his life. He seems carefree, enjoying some programme on television. He hears the
doorbell, and opens the door to find a mysterious delivery lying on his door. As soon as he brings the package
inside, the cheerful vibe of the home immediately turns sinister. The package contains a cursed artefact
whose dark power is re-duplication. When the man comes in the possession of the object, he is
transformed into another form as well. However, how would these progression of events come to alter the course of the narrative and its conclusion?

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