Shakuntala, the protagonist of the film, wages an internal battle she is unable to articulate. As she struggles to feel comfortable in her own body, the grammar to express this conflict eludes her. However, one day, owing primarily to the internet and the ubiquitous presence of technology in our lives, as well as the swiftly changing times where queer identities are becoming more and more prominent, a whole new world opens for her, introducing her to words that are not mere sounds, but an entire cornucopia of the ideologies and meanings that they carry within. 

All of these ideas that constitute Shakuntala’s journey are handled gingerly, with sensitivity and care. The performance of its primary actor who remains silent for much of the narratorial progression is one of the most notable strengths of the film. The storytelling, though not without a few rough edges in terms of production, exhibits deep potential, presenting the film as hopefully only one of the many such endeavors yet to come.

They/Them | Short Film Nominee

The film opens on the fifty-seventh day of the Covid-19 lockdown where people, especially our protagonist, Rudra, are battling all kinds of loneliness and isolation. His friend, Bandu, on the other hand, has his hands full with women he interacts with on dating apps, and thus, he holds back no stops in extolling the latter. 

At the same time, the pressure to get married is increasing in intensity for Rudra from his mother. All of these factors, along with the stressors of living by himself, and the advice of a supremely enthusiastic Bandu, lead to Rudra reluctantly joining a dating app. 

On his first day, the most unexpected thing happens. He stumbles across a profile of a woman called Amira, who immediately catches his fancy. Soon, an effervescent, innocent romance develops between the two. As a seamless background score nestles itself within the visuals, a sweet love story is presented to the viewer. The performances bring to life a dedication in the portrayal of the characters that further aid the storytelling and screenplay. However, despite the joys of new love, another emotion is swirling alongside it - Rudra’s doubts about the very identity of Amira. 

The short film explores all of these emotions while staying true to the idea echoed in its title - sincerity. Albeit not without some cultural and linguistic liberties that the narrative takes, the story remains honest and heartfelt.

Ikhlaas | Short Film Nominee

Naisha and Shirin meet over a dating app, and decide to get on a video call. Naisha is nervous and conscious
because she has never been on a virtual date before, but Shirin is patient and considerate, and quickly
makes her comfortable. They have many more video dates, over the course of which they try to
compose a song together. 
Do Re Mi is a sweet film with adorable, endearing characters; aptly cast too. Shirin and Naisha are the two pieces of the same puzzle, the Yin and
Yang to each other. Shirin is the older of the two, a working professional who is accommodating as well as at ease. Naisha, on the other hand, who is a student, is 
spontaneous and unfastened. While the former comes across as being more put-together with a kind, empathetic core, the latter radiates vivacity, but can be easily equally detached, at the same time, making it hard to look away when she speaks with her round, twinkly eyes. 
The concerns that these two characters share are the central concerns of desire or relationships themselves.
There is a push and pull happening all through. In some places one finds the film conceited and in others
amazingly sensitive, very much like the cruelty and kindness of lovers. The filmmaker does a good job
in making the viewer curious about their mind with flickers of notable potential in this work.

Do Re Mi | Short Film Nominee

The strongest aspect of the film is definitely its writing and exploration of love and romantic equations. When a successful dancer meets a struggling entrepreneur for a date, they hit it off instantly. However things soon go sour as they discover their differences of opinions when it comes to matters of the heart. The script is well-written and conjures engaging ideas about what it means for two people to be together. As the characters argue it out, both presenting their respective sides of the argument, the audience is too presented with sufficient food for thought. The story also employs a non-linear narratives to present forth these ideas. Which side would you find yourself aligning with?

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