AKANKSHA
ROAD BLOCKED AHEAD
31 min | 2022 | Narrative Short | India
Diploma Film made during Direction & Producing course at Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute, Kolkata.

Ad-film cinematographer Ayesha is on her way to Saputara fort for a shoot when her car breaks down. Meera, a local girl returning to home from her college helps and gives company to Ayesha as the car gets fixed. As the time progresses they built a surprising connection that makes their separation a difficult yet necessary choice.

Director’s Statement: I did graduation in English Literature from Miranda House, which is an all-girls college, and that’s where the idea for this film originated. The Roads of life bound by conservative outlooks cross at beautiful Western Ghats. The touch of love will help them move forward in life with their head held high, fresh air on their faces, and heart full of love. Join us on the journey to Road Blocked Ahead.

ANISHA SHARMA
BEACH
15 min | 2023 | Narrative Short | India
First-time Filmmaker  

Karan is a transman, who recently had a gender affirmation surgery and something as trivial as going to the beach shirtless has been a dream and an act of liberation for him. Aditya, a cis-man and his buddy has been a testimony to Karan’s struggle with gender dysphoria throughout college, who stood up more often for Karan than he had for himself.

Director’s Statement:  This is a film about those moments in a person’s life that may seem insignificant to the world, but mean everything to the person. What millions take for granted could be the onetime on someone’s bucket list that takes them a lifetime to check off.

KAMYA N
LAILAA MANJU                                
53 min | 2022 | Featurette | Hindi, Marathi, English | India
First-time Filmmaker  

On a slow, hot day during Mumbai’s first COVID-19 lockdown, 21-year-old Manju sets out to apologize to her best friend and the love of her life, Lailaa. She has to re-affirm their love — and avoid a conversation with her formidable mother, who’s discovered the truth about the two young women, at all costs.

Director’s Statement:  I believe queer relationships need not always be star-crossed, impossibly challenged or hyper real. We’ve had too many stories of queer suffering and not nearly enough about the margins in which healing happens, creative muses are found and life begins. My team and I have created a story about women in their spaces, connected with the things that matter to them. We’ve brought to life a fully realised female gaze in the local tongue (Marathi).

KARTIKA NAINAN DUBEY
OAS (English Title: Dew Drops)
16 min | Narrative Short | India
Second Narrative Short                 

Oas is a story of two women who broke up some time back but are still in love. One has moved on while the other can’t let go. They meet for their last conversation that sums up their dreams and expectations. In this night of introspection, will their relationship revive?

Director’s Statement: I like to tell stories that are honest and full of layers. Vulnerable characters have always attracted me. Their stories have complications that might look easy but are very difficult to resolve. Oas is one such story with love as its soul and characters relatable to anyone in love or had been in love. It revolves around two women and their understanding of love. Story has many layers, many questions, many emotions and moments that will delicately tickle the heart. I hope after watching the film, the audience is left with love or the memories of it. It is my definition of love, translated in the form of this film.

PREETI KANUNGO
MALWA KHUSHAN
Co-director & DOP: Sourav Yadav | 20 min | 2023 | Narrative Short | India
First-time Filmmaker         

Coming of age story of two sisters Malwa and Khushan exploring and experiencing sexuality and attraction in their adolescent years. Living with their grandmother, Khushan always looks up to Malwa for her outspoken nature and courage. Soon a new girl arrives in her class Khushan begins to develop feelings for her.

Director’s Statement: Malwa Khushan is the tale of two adolescent sisters exploring love and attraction in all the ways they know how. The film mirrors the conflicts and messiness in understanding one’s own sexuality. It represents hope, that when one sees the film, they see the unaffected innocence of the girls, their love for each other, and their promise to always stand by each other.