The opening music offers a sweet vibe. A friendly looking, young man, confesses his love to the camera.
He is rehearsing a proposal for his childhood best friend. Reading from his
notes, and breaking into smiles for the camera, he is rehearsing his sincerity. The music soon becomes delightful, conveying his
confidence that the girl he’s in love with, his best friend, is going to say ‘yes’! 
But the film is sub-titled 'a tangled tale' for a reason. The screenplay deftly picks up words, image and
memory of one (the boy), and connects them with the other (the girl), like a thread, tying one end with
the other. However, the more the episodes collate, the more knots the thread gets entangled in.
Relationships are complex. Matters of the heart are not easy. 
But the film tries to tread these arduous paths softly, delicately and with hope; just as the path to love is
supposed to be. Take a leap of faith, a sweet surprise awaits you!

Thread | Short Film of the Day

Long, uncut shots take us into the world of ‘Tamashbeen’. It opens on a lighthearted note where a man shares a tale of a childhood infatuation that ends in tragedy as adults take charge of this reverie. 

The physical space remains fixed, marked by clutter and a sense of something unsettling about to make its presence felt, even if the narration presented by the protagonist, the film’s sole character, remains easy and swift flowing. Once again he takes us into his tryst with romance, only to be met with a similar fate before hope could spread its wings any wider. 

The performance remains the strongest force of the narrative, constantly pushing it forth, along with camerawork and the surroundings to complement it all. As the conclusion arrives, the film’s title too is realized, ensuring that the story of the man who has continued talking to his reflection all along stays with you long after you are done watching it.

Tamashbeen | Short Film Nominee

The film aims to weave a poignant narrative about a couple which was deeply in love once, but now struggles with distance, indifference and apathy in their relationship. It does a notable job of bringing out this contrast by using a black and white palette juxtaposed against the colourful one of the happier times. It further attempts an engagement with the notions of fidelity and whether cheating can be reduced to the category of only a sexual act. The story is successful in conveying what it had set out to simply because it does not try to be anything it's not. It is simple and honest in the manner in which it shares its story. This is further supplemented by a convincing chemistry of its characters. The story and its execution progresses at an organic pace, and before you know it, colours have trickled again into a monochrome palette.

Tonight's Special | Short Film of the Day

Rohit nurses the broken heart of a jilted lover. It is also a situation where the hurt has turned into immense, passionate hate. After discovering the truth about Shweta’s infidelity in their marriage, Rohit decides to kill her. He does not stop still but also decides to document the entire process on video. 

In portraying all of these developments, the film exhibits notable stylistic choices, coupled with fitting music. The narrative also presents an exploration of voyeurism and heartbreak, and how they get tied with technology. 

The components are weaved together by efficient and thoughtful visuals. It would have been interesting to watch the story unfold with perhaps a multi-lingual approach; keeping it predominantly English felt slightly restrictive. Having said that, it should also be mentioned that the protagonist is brought to life with unwavering conviction and skill, and the performance bolsters the film most significantly.

The Vlogger | Short Film Nominee

‘Neene’ is a seamless music video that brings to life a story of friendship, love, longing, and eventually, heartbreak. All of these emotions are portrayed in an effortless manner by the protagonist Dhanu. 

In love with his neighbor and childhood best friend Aditi for over a decade, he is finally mustering the courage to tell her the truth. As we await Dhanu's confession of love, we are further introduced to the equation shared between the two. It is marked by joy, laughter, ease and affection. All of this is presented to the viewer by notable visuals, tied with equally complementary vocals. However, would Dhanu’s hopes and intentions materialize as planned? The question remains intrinsic to the narrative, and is eventually answered at its conclusion.

Neene | Short Film Nominee

Grishma and Rishi are meeting after over half a decade. Like any two people meeting after a long separation, the characters before us also have a lot to exchange. However, underlying it all is a perpetual current of bitterness, regret and resentment, on the one hand, and of wisdom, understanding and clarity, on the other. There is further an earnest attempt to talk about loss, grief, and the ways in which it has influenced the two lives. The end result attempts poignancy, and exhibits sincerity. The storytelling would have gained more if the project was longer, and not condensed to the quick-pace that defines it, but that is a wrinkle that can be ironed out in future projects.

Closure | Short Film Nominee

Shorted

An artist, Umair has reached a point in his life where all seems lost. There are no patrons for his art, his girlfriend Zoya has ended their relationship due to his failure to secure stability in his finances, work, or life, and soon after, an art curator tells him she won’t be able to exhibit his work at an upcoming event. 

 
At the same time, Umair discovers the artwork of a former domestic help in his house, which truly impresses the curator. While ignoring calls from a persistent caller, he does not tell the curator that the paintings do not belong to him.

All of this develops into two defining moments, one about a crucial decision that Umair has to make, a decision that would also eventually complete his character trajectory, and the other about a woman who has to choose between love and professional demands. 
The manner in which the narrative is weaved shows profound potential and earnestness, much of which also translates into the final result, even if not going all the way. At the heart of the story, however, remains the question about what would be Umair’s decision regarding the treasure trove of paintings he has found. The same keeps the viewer’s curiosity piqued throughout.

The Space in Between | Short Film Nominee

The film attempts a calm meditation on the fate of two characters, once lovers but now simply two people trying to comprehend the many complexities of their relationship. Adil and Shruti are meeting after a long time, perhaps a breakup that saw tumultuous upheavals, despite the love they shared. 

There were differences and the inability to find a way to reconcile. And yet, when they meet for this brief rendezvous, one thing leads to another and the circumstance becomes more intense than they had anticipated. The film remains consistent in its emotional identity and visual grammar. The earnestness of the actors, as well as of the writing and screenplay, is unmissable, allowing the film's intentions to be pronounced lucidly for the audience.

No Good Reason | Short Film Nominee

The story of the film endeavours to tap into several emotions - heartache, professional success, moving on and all that is left behind in the wake of the inexorable passage of time. Most of the drama plays out in a single scene, one which consists of a conversation between two people. It is soon discovered that they are past lovers, both having moved ahead with their lives. But have they really? The film invokes the question and leaves it up to the reader to answer in whichever manner they deem feet. The action also changes in tonality and setting as it nears its conclusion. While the characters may have turned to the past to seek perhaps answers, maybe a closure of sorts, will they truly find it?

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