KASHISH 2026 Indian Narrative Shorts in Competition

Iss Taraf offers a glimpse into the quiet struggles and momentary victories of a trans man living in a cisnormative world, navigating the journey of acceptance in daily life. This short film is a restrained and evocative exploration of perception, identity, and the fragile space between how we are seen and how we exist within ourselves.

The rift enters into a small group of Hijras and threatens to break the tradition of a centuries old marginal practice. However, compassion wins in the end.

NISHA
Dir: Kris R | 30 MIN | 2025 | India | English, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam

Nisha, a Bangalorean in her late 20s, is trying to move on from a long and intense relationship with her ex, Nidhi. Armed with dry humour, good friends, and terrible dating app matches, she gets back into the game- awkwardly, hesitantly, and with surprising honesty. Each date opens a window into Nisha’s emotional landscape- from absurd mismatches to fleeting sparks. Amid these, MJ stands out: a thoughtful, genuine person who sees Nisha clearly. But Nisha, still entangled in memories of her Ex, Nidhi, can’t allow herself to truly reciprocate.

At a school in the Himalayas, Sachin is bullied for cross-dressing in a folk dance performance. Anju, the middle-aged vice principal of the school, steps in, but it unravels more than she anticipated. As both quietly navigate their secret struggles, their lives begin to intertwine, forming a bond that neither can name but both of them need.

Trapped in a loveless marriage with her domineering husband Raghu, homemaker Ammu moves through the routines of her household with quiet resignation. In a home where even food becomes a symbol of control and neglect, she is often denied the care and dignity she deserves. Ammu finds solace in Pathu, her neighbor and the wife of Raghu’s rival. Pathu expresses her affection through food quietly shared across boundaries, offering Ammu the nourishment and warmth withheld from her own home.

Every Sunday, Jo and her traditional family come together for their cherished Scrabble ritual, filled with chatter and quiet comfort. But this Sunday, Jo uses the game to reveal a truth about herself – that she is a lesbian.

Sunil, a visually impaired masseur, lives independently in Mumbai. He spends his time doing household chores, playing the flute, and having phone conversations with his mother. The one thing he looks forward to is the hushed conversations he shares with his sports-teacher client, Kamran, during massage sessions. These conversations move beyond the massage room, and their bond deepens into intimacy. But a buried past unsettles Sunil, testing his desire, his boundaries, and the future of their relationship.