There has been time travel before in several other films, but what makes Glitch stand out is the protagonist - a semi-naked child at the centre of all the action. As human instinct would have it, he too attempts to set mistakes right every time he travels to the past. However, we have seen enough sci-fi to know how wrong it can truly go. <br. While the butterfly effect sets in and situations spiral out of control, the short film keeps the viewer glued to the screen. The visuals are smooth and elegant, the writing is skilled and the lost child, trying to make sense of the utter disorder, is the most endearing part of it all. Add to it a sophisticated narrative progression and a brief but powerful performance by Mona Singh and an enriching viewing experience is ensured.

Glitch | Short Film of the Day

The visuals in this music video translate beautifully into a narrative about the life of a serial procrastinator. The viewer finds the protagonist resorting to cloning to get all his pending tasks done. Suddenly, the to-do list begins to get shorter and shorter, as an armada of Jim Sarbh clones populate the screen to see every task to its completion. While the video is shot most gracefully, the editing deserves a special mention for keeping it even more seamless. The final product is effervescent, colourful and funny.

Ape Echoes | Short Film of the Day

The film opens on a promising note, gradually allowing itself to build its narrative, one fraught with tension and uncertainty. With strong visuals to back it, the story develops to involve the viewer further, leading them by the hand to a place of no return. The thriller brings in elements of sci-fi, insanity, violence and brutal murders. The plot comes across as a smaller part of a bigger whole which also leaves a few aspects of the narrative open ended and unexplained, prodding the viewer to fill the gaps with their own imagination. Overall, the product, marked by a convincing protagonist, is skilfully conceived and executed, allowing it to be an engrossing, entertaining experience for the viewer.

Other Side | 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

The film attempts a conversation around surveillance and offers differing views that make you pause. Set in a dystopic society where the government's presence in an average person's life has become all pervasive, the film is a conversation between a couple, convincingly played by the two lead actors. While one questions this invasion of privacy, the other is quick to point out the same process set in motion in the name of marketing in the digital space. The narrative concerns itself with a topic that could have slipped into the space of propaganda or over-glorification of particular ideologies. However, its strength lies in the fact that it falls in neither of the two categories and offers an objective, balanced approach to both sides of the argument.

Naukri | Short Film of the Day

The year is 2023 and it has been three years since humanity’s existence got confined to their houses in the wake of a pandemic. Because of the long periods of time people have spent away from each other, society has evolved and adapted accordingly. 

With travel permits, heavily regulated ration allowances, and scent devices that allow you to catch odors and fragrances over video calls, the reality presented to us is different in several ways from the world as we know it. And yet, as Kshitij, Mehek and the characters around them go ahead to portray, human emotions and relationship dynamics are as similar as they can be. The short film does a seamless job of tying these two components together - difference and similarity. 

The film, which was shot during the lockdown with a limited cast and crew, as well as within the same physical space, also utilizes its measured resources efficiently. At the end of it all, it weaves a story that involves and shocks you in equal measure, while conjuring a world that is far more disturbing than you would have believed at first glance.

Ab-Normal | Short Film of the Day

An astronaut has found herself stranded in a remote part of the universe, far away from home. The year is 2160, and she is all by herself except for a strange presence - a solitary red rose. The image of a lone figure with only a rose as its companion immediately draws to mind the image of an iconic little boy who too had found companionship in a flower on an empty planet. The image in the viewer’s mind is further strengthened the moment we hear the astronaut’s title, the Little Prince. 
The film that subsequently comes into existence is quiet, mellow, and characterized by an intensity of emotion that is both sincere and honest. The result exhibits potential and perhaps could also be developed into a longer project exploring the many (mis?)adventures of this particular Little Prince.

The Astronaut and Her Rose | Short Film Nominee

The short film is an interesting conversation that weaves in poetry, psychology, romance, sci-fi, time travel and some darker realities of relationships and couples quarantined in the national lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. It starts on a note that does a successful job of concealing the disturbing, twisted themes it would eventually come to engage with. While it is a dedicated attempt to explore the many nuances of something as novel as a virtual date, the film would have benefited from a tighter pace. Overall, it is a sincere product that allows the viewer to partake in the unique experience of being an outsider on a romantic rendezvous that unfolds on the computer screens of its two participants.

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