How far are you willing to go for social media fame? With this question at its core, the short film introduces us to the life of an aspiring influencer who gets fixated on the idea of securing a million views for his next video. In the process, the narrative becomes a pertinent comment on people's obsession with virtual glory, to the extent of dismissing, ignoring and even completely rejecting those around them who do not fully comprehend or understand it. As his father struggles with household chores and financial troubles, our protagonist is found consumed by his own obsession, rage towards a father who failed to secure enough money for a family member's medical treatment, thereby failing his family, and his deep disdain for the traditional route of stable employment. While this desire to finally create a viral video continues to grow disproportionately, hand-in-hand with absolute disregard for more pressing, immediate, practical concerns, a deeply disconcerting development awaits in the narrative. Will the protagonist truly manage to secure a million views, and even if he does, at what cost will this goal be finally achieved?

Clickbait | Short Film of the Month

The film, inspired by a short story by E.V. Lucas, has lots to offer in terms of engaging as well as entertaining the viewer. Three men find themselves at a bar, trying to come up with a new story. They turn to the bartender for inspiration, requesting him to share some of his experiences with them. Thus begins an involving and thrilling narrative of a man's obsession with another, taking him down all sorts of strange routes and tactics to find him. However, soon after the former is able to track down the latter, he simply disappears. The film has a conclusion which is pretty much same as its origin text, yet, there awaits a dark, twisted turn for the viewer. What will it be?

Mugam | Short Film Nominee

Though once a happy couple, Sam and Leena's relationship is now burdened with the unfulfilled desire of conceiving a child. The two have grown distant and aloof to the point of completely breaking apart. Leena has chosen to move on and get married to a colleague, but the jilted, sullen husband can’t quite come to terms with the decision. 


The course of the film is narrated as the contents of a last note written by Sam is being read out. He talks about his pained existence and how wants to free Leena of any burdens of their past, hence, allowing her to live a happier, fuller life. However, as the narrative proceeds, the film steers towards a dark and irrevocable set of events, that will alter the life of the characters in a lasting manner.

Leena | Short Film Nominee

A man is sitting by himself, obsessively scribbling something. As voices begin to echo in his head, we are allowed a glimpse into what might truly be going on. The narrative introduces us to an incident where a professor dismisses his pupil in a very harsh manner. It is this incident which has now led to our protagonist's frenzied state while he attempts to desperately fix his folly, completely oblivious to those around him. The bad grade has disturbed him deeply, as has his teacher's censure. All of these developments will eventually culminate into a truly dark reality, one revealed to the viewer only at the film's conclusion.

Genesis | Short Film Nominee

The predominant action in 'Ear Damage' unfolds within a week, taking us into the fragile mental state of the protagonist, Rohan, in the brief span. The film chooses a non-linear narrative, along with a black and white palette to bring its reality to life. Soon, a world of extreme paranoia, obsession and fixation, nightmares and jitters is conjured for the viewer. 

For Rohan, it started with an article he read about a man's ear getting infested with cockroaches. This is followed by him seeing the insects everywhere, in wakefulness and in nightmares. They consume his reality, as he gradually ends up taking a terribly dark path of self-harm and destruction. The cockroaches could be a metaphor for the various struggles of a young man at a crucial crossroads of life. Or they can simply be a projection of a mind fraught with anxieties and trauma. 

The film leaves that open to the viewer's interpretation. It further exhibits potential in weaving a narrative, and employing different tools, be it the palette or the background score of Western Classical music, to achieve the same. Despite showing the need of a firmer hold on its sound, 'Ear Damage' concludes as what could perhaps be a seminal first step on a long road of storytelling.

Ear Damage | Short Film Nominee

The film wants to be an engagement with a man's struggle to achieve that perfect ending for his story, even in the face of a fixation with the same that has now acquired staggering proportions in his life. While the pen's nib seems to be sharper than ever, almost like a blade against his skin, the ending still evades him. As his mental health gets grasped tighter and tighter within the clutches of this obsession, we find him isolating himself from not only his day-job, but also his girlfriend. The pressure to find the perfect conclusion continues to mount while the pills that keep the protagonist sane begin to run out. Located before this double-edged sword, as he battles an uncertain fate, how will it all truly conclude for him?

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