‘Ayak’’s world is constructed with a controlled, and steady hand, taking the viewer into the story gradually, but irrevocably. The sustained pace ensures that even though the dialogue in the film is frugal, you are deeply invested in the fate of the protagonist. Manu has arrived at the Forest of Chithari to perform an age-old ritual that takes place every twenty years. 

The forest is not only the abode of innumerable secrets and unsaid things, but also of forces far beyond Manu’s comprehension. The story that began in ancient Egypt, is about to come to fruition with his arrival for the ritual. Ayak, or the potion that unites one with the gods, is soon presented to him in the most unlikely circumstances. 

As the events unfold, the film puts forth a narrative that is quiet, but stern. It employs no sudden thrills or jump scares to unsettle the viewer, and still ensures that it remains disconcerting throughout. The visuals of the vast expanses enhance it manifold, as do the smooth edit and the screenplay. The seamless weaving of all of these elements allows 'Ayak' to become a beautiful final result that is not simply defined by mystery or thrill, but also by an element of fantasy and something terrible awaiting right around the corner.

Ayak | Short Film of the Year

The world of 'Sinthri' is intended to mislead the viewer with its apparent frivolity at first glance. However the story it eventually wants to tell is much darker and violent. The moment the crux of the plot arrives, there is no looking away. 

A herder has allowed one of the animals to wander away too far. Now, his employer’s son has taken it upon himself to find the missing animal, or run into immense trouble with his father. The simple act of looking for Sinthri, the buffalo, takes him down a shocking path. 

Though the film could have been tighter, it remains intriguing throughout. It offers a zealous endeavor in constructing this world, complete with its sinister and malicious elements, in the process, leaving the viewer with a disturbing world of rituals, sacrifices and a seemingly regular day gone terribly wrong for the protagonist.

Sinthri | Short Film Nominee

The well-intentioned narrative has the message of peace at its core, along with the celebration of sacrifice, kindness and selflessness which are all employed in the pursuit of a noble cause. 

The film endeavors the same by calling upon the example of the Indian Army personnel Aurangzeb who was a woeful loss of the Pulwama attack in 2019. The film reimagines his last moments to convey its message. The final result is defined by promising visuals, and dedication to performance and elucidating the plot's motivation, but exhibits writing that runs the danger of over-stating its intentions. In future projects, perhaps a territory of a little more nuance can be explored.

A Tribute to Aurangzeb | Short Film Nominee

The short video engages with a deeply sad and poignant subject. Faraaz Hossain, a twenty-year-old boy, put his life at stake to save two of his friends during the Dhaka attacks by ISIS militants in 2016. The narrative documents his sacrifice and discusses its significance in a world which seems ravaged from more divisions in the years that followed. The narrative is sincere, honest, well-intentioned, and strives to bring to life a story more relevant than ever before in contemporary times.

Still Living | Short Film Nominee

The short narrative is a simple and direct account of a man's unbreakable bond with his dog, Khan. Using a first-person approach, it is delivered by the subject himself. The final product employs a fixed frame to present all its intentions to the viewer. Nawab Sahab regales the viewer with stories of his adventures in the outdoors with his loyal companion who never left his side, even in the face of mortal peril. Consequently, Strolling Through the Jungles becomes a tale of friendship, love, sacrifice and an inevitable loss. As the protagonist takes a walk down the memory lane himself while sharing the story, it stirs intense emotions for him as well which, in turn, the film wants to portray for its audience.

Strolling Through the Jungles | Short Film Nominee

The story opens with a disturbing image of a young man vomiting blood, that immediately sets the tone of the narrative. It is soon revealed to the viewer that Shahid, the protagonist, is battling a terminal disease for which he needs a large sum of money. Before this thread is taken any further, there is the introduction of clandestine phone calls that suggest seedy transactions and exchanges between other characters. The rest of the film becomes about the development and progression of these aspects of the story. The narrative also ropes in emotions of guilt, regret and how they are often realised when it is already too late, leaving the viewer with a message about kindness and self-sacrifice.

Badkaar Paano | Short Film Nominee

The film weaves a story of poverty, illness, heartache, but above all, of the role of a father amidst it all. It takes us into the life of a couple in a village where their son remains paralysed and bed-ridden due to a chronic ailment. As they struggle to scrape money together for his treatment, they are left at the end of their rope. Buried under debt, and almost on the verge of losing his job as a labourer, the protagonist decides to take a step he has not taken before. What will then be the fate of their malady-stricken boy, as well as that of his concerned parents?

Baap | Shorted Screening

Snehapoorvam Pravasi, translated in English as “With love, The Expat,’’ is essentially, a love letter, from
an expatriate husband to his wife, but since phone calls have taken the place of letters, the film is then a
visual love note. We do not know for how long the man has been away from his home, but we get a
sense that he doesn’t get to see his children very often. He has been compelled by his financial
circumstances to work away from his family, but he tries his best to make their life easier by sending
them money and keeping in touch with his wife. In the entire emotional phone call, he describes to her
the allocation and expenditure of all the funds. Despite his small salary, the family makes space for
charity.

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