In the face of all misogyny, sexism, classicism and women themselves participating in patriarchal oppression, it's a glass of juice which will become an agent of protest. The short film is the story of one evening and how that in itself is sufficient to delineate the normalisation of women's marginalisation. However, one day, when a woman decides to stand up and question it, will she be allowed the space to do so? Juice is a wholesome and skilful product which questions the grossly imbalanced gender equations. Shouldered by the most stellar performance by Shefali Shah, the film is undisputedly a very relevant, subtle and poignant piece of art on gender.

Juice | Short Film of the Day

Samskara translates to 'impressions' - something around which the whole narrative of the film would come to pivot. The visuals make the most skilled use of hand-hold shots and dimly lit frames to build up the tension and suspense of the characters. The viewer is able to participate in it, owing to the manner in which they are weaved. The narrative also makes an expert use of parallel narratives. The reason it works visually and manages to drive its point home most convincingly is because of the seamless editing. The film is an exploration of the extent of the effect of abuse and how entrapping childhood trauma can be. The exploration also justifies the title - the cyclical nature of life, constituted by an external repeat of internal impressions.

Samskara | Namit Das

Kheer is a short film about two generations, a child and her grandfather, and the way they look at love and relationships. It opens with an irritated man, played most convincingly by Anupam Kher, quarrelling with a woman. The intimacy of the quarrel suggests that the two are married. The narrative then introduces two more characters, a girl and a boy, Kher's grandchildren. The surprise of these two characters is used most intelligently to reveal that she's indeed not his wife. The short film earns brownie points for the manner in which it navigates around the concepts of companionship and age. It also attempts to normalise the idea that age and the desire to be with someone are two unrelated things. Therefore they should not be judged using this non-existent link as an index.

Kheer | Short Film of the Day

The short film is a nuanced and skilful portrayal of how humour can be found even in the most tragic situations. Along with being a subtle but impactful comment on gender, it also shows the struggle of straddling modernity and tradition. Khatoon Ki Khidmat shows a newly-married woman refusing to have sex with her husband until he gets her a television set. The husband, on the other hand, is struggling to get his father to accept his wife and their marriage. As the characters fight it out, the narrative draws attention to familial dynamics and the location of a woman in a patriarchal household. The film is funny, engaging, insightful and a reminder of how the biggest battles of life are waged in the smallest moments.

Khatoon Ki Khidmat | Short Film of the Day

A broker in Delhi is not the first character to come to mind while thinking of a film protagonist, won't you agree? This is one of the many points of uniqueness of Kartaa. It takes the viewer into the struggles and obstacles of a broker as he tries to keep his family afloat. The short film delves into the murky, seedy aspects of society in the most poignant manner. While revealing the extent of its ruthlessness, it further affirms that sometimes there indeed is no ray of light at the end of the tunnel.

Kartaa | Short Film of the Day

Take some great scripting, add to it beautiful cinematography, good acting and the right amount of emotion, and you get the perfect recipe for a wholesome short film. Ghar ka Khaana is a touching story of a grandmother who refuses to give up on what she feels is the best mode of recovery - home-cooked food. The film also goes to show that the road to someone's heart is indeed through their stomach. So, in case of a difficulty, when all else fails, just present the adversary with a bowl of a home-cooked dal and who knows, victory might just be yours.

Ghar Ka Khana | Short Film of the Day

The film follows a non-linear narrative to give a glimpse into the life of a group of friends preparing to have a little celebration around New Year's time. It juxtaposes a chaotic, anxiety-ridden situation of a hospital, against a potentially cheery night of drinking, fun and frolic. Expectedly, this only serves to involve the viewer deeper into the story. The narrative develops most seamlessly and effortlessly, putting forth its dilemmas and stressors in a convincing manner. It is further embellished with strong performances, notable chemistry between the actors and the perfect capturing of tension that comes to form the core of the film. Attempting an engagement with the ideas of guilt, accountability, carelessness that leads to life-altering disasters, agony and relationship dynamics, Custody proves to be a well-paced, balanced product that remains an engrossing viewing experience throughout.

Custody | Pick of the Festival Circuit

The short film takes us into the life of Snehal,a young boy trying to survive in a world that expects him to adjust at every step. From his name to his clothes to his house - everything becomes a matter of adjustment. As the protagonist moves from one aspect of his life to another, will he find an escape from this web of constant compromises? Perhaps the answer lies in a plate of khichdi when he asked for biryani instead. Why We Love Adjusting is beautifully shot, written and structured with endearing performances and an effervescent voice-over. It's exactly the kind of wholesome content you need on a rainy day.

Why We Love Adjusting | Short Film of the Day

Winner, Gender Award

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Every minute, over two dozen people are forced to flee their home. Out of every two refugees, one is a child. Let that sink in and be a reminder of the hatred that is ravaging this world from all corners. The short film deals with the extent of the fear for one's security and the desperate need to find shelter when someone is forced out of their own home. Visa is a beautifully written film about a inter-communal couple in Pakistan and their trauma of trying to leave the country with their young daughter. It follows a non-linear narrative and succeeds greatly at creating a heightened atmosphere of uncertainty. It also invokes a disturbing reality, a sense of despair, but concludes with a bleak sense of hope for the optimistic viewer.

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