I Was Still Here.
A Film by Dennis Büschemann10 Minutes 00 Seconds | Germany |Synopsis: “Germany, 1941. In a world ruled by silence and fear, two boys share a bond beyond words. Together, they find a way to pass on a hidden warning — a message that will save lives.“”I Was Still Here”” is a poetic animated short about friendship, quiet courage, and how empathy can become an act of resistance. A story of one boy who couldn’t speak — and another who truly listened.” About the Director: “Dennis Büschemann is a filmmaker, editor, and motion designer based in Germany with over two decades of experience in the creative industry. Starting in trailer editing and motion graphics, he has contributed to numerous national and international film campaigns — including the Oscar-nominated feature Never Look Away (Werk ohne Autor) by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. His work is driven by a fascination for emotional precision and the art of distilling complex narratives into powerful, visual moments. With a background in Media Informatics and Design from Bielefeld University, Dennis combines technical skill with a deep sensitivity for rhythm, tone, and storytelling. Dennis believes that powerful stories don’t always need big words — but they always need honesty, emotion, and human connection.”
Gift
A Film by Rajat kaushik22 Minutes 44 Seconds | India | English, HindiSynopsis: story revolves among baloon seller, baloon manufacturer and waiter and their journey in finding joy and happiness in different ways .
the counter-currents
A Film by Aurélien RAPATEL24 Minutes 44 Seconds | France | FrenchSynopsis: “Nathan, in his twenties and amidst his medical studies, feelsdisconnected from his life. Seeking clarity about his uncertainfuture, he decides to embark on a solo vacation to Corsica.Amidst the blazing summer sun, the introverted young man encounters Léana and Felix, with whom he shares a modestroom in a youth hostel. The duo warmly embraces him as ifthey were old friends, which unsettles Nathan. Initially distant,he gradually forms an unexpected bond with this contrastingpair, ultimately leading to a profound transformation.” About the Director: “Aurélien Rapatel est un scénariste et réalisateur passionné par le septième art depuis son enfance. Après avoir obtenu son BAC en cinéma à Clermont-Ferrand, il poursuit ses études en Licence puis en Master Cinéma à l’Université Paris-Diderot et à La Sorbonne. Parallèlement, il écrit et réalise des courts-métrages auto-produits, qui sont sélectionnés en festivals, et il atteint notamment la finale du Nikon Film Festival en 2018. Tout en développant ses projets artistiques, Aurélien travaille comme auteur et journaliste pour la télévision, contribuant à des émissions telles que Tchi Tcha (Canal+), la Cérémonie des César et Télématin (France 2). Il est également l’animateur des podcasts cinéma “”Clap m’en Cinq”” et “”Derrière Les Projecteurs”” dans lesquels il propose des entretiens au cœur de la carrière d’invités prestigieux tels que Sandrine Kiberlain, Cédric Klapisch ou encore Lambert Wilson. En 2024, il termine la réalisation de son premier court-métrage produit, intitulé « Les Contre-Courants » et soutenu par la Région Corse.”
Skin Deep
A Film by Adarsh Reddy12 Minutes 52 Seconds | United States | EnglishSynopsis: After getting a tattoo to fit in, an Indian American teen is pulled deeper into assimilation — but when it puts his relationship with his cousin at risk, he’s forced to confront the cost of erasing himself. About the Director: “Adarsh Reddy (Red) is a South Asian writer/director born in Chicago and raised in Texas and California. His voice is shaped by a childhood spent moving between American suburbs and extended trips to India, navigating the dissonance between cultures. With an early obsession for storytelling, he picked up a camcorder to document the in-between spaces of identity, belonging, and home. He is interested in intimate stories that explore cultural duality, emotional inheritance, and the quiet rebellions of everyday life.”
Antim Modd
A Film by Rohan Rajput7 Minutes 11 Seconds | India | HindiSynopsis: “A locked door, a breaking news bulletin, and a shared anxietytransform two strangers into deadly enemies.
The taste of tangerine
A Film by 강령 이14 Minutes 48 Seconds | South Korea | EnglishSynopsis: “Deep in the mountains, at a small rural train station, a neatly dressed young girl waits from dawn for someone to arrive. Blind, her only joys are meeting the friend who visits once a month and trading playful jokes with the old station master. As time passes, the train she waits for stops coming—and the station master who once shared her laughter is gone. In the silence of the abandoned station, the girl remains, sitting alone.”
Bhramari (The Turn)
A Film by Sugandh Lamba, Siddharth Kumar5 Minutes 00 Seconds | India | No DialogueSynopsis: “In the Indian cultural art fraternity, gurus position themselves as demigods and ultimate rule makers. So artists often find themselves at cross-sections – of the mind’s voice or the heart’s calling, of the norms or the extraordinary, of the discipline or the unruliness. ‘Bhramari or ‘The Turn’ is a short metaphorical dance-thriller film, showing a classical dancer’s fascination of breaking such rules and idols, and chasing what many may consider, a rebellion.” About the Director: “Sugandh:My name is Sugandh Lamba. I am a multidisciplinary artist and an educator. My practice encompasses dance, theatre, photography and filmmaking. As an upcoming artist, I wish to merge these practices to effectively communicate stories/ideas through movement. I was born and brought up in Delhi. I am a trained Kathak dancer. My training in Kathak began at the age of 5. I received my initial training at Pt. Birju Maharaj’s Kalasharam and later Smt Kumdini Lakhia’s Kadamb Centre for Dance. I am also trained in contemporary techniques – release and contact improvisation from Gati and Jazz from The Danceworx, New Delhi. I have also attended theatre at Shri Ram Centre of Performing arts. I am a graduate in Mass Communication and Journalism. I have worked extensively for a decade as a video producer for prestigious media companies like NDTV GoodTimes and HT Mint. Now I live in Mumbai, imparting my knowledge to the youth of tomorrow, as an educator. Siddharth:With about 12 years of evolved experience in writing for advertising, I have created many communications for major brands in the past. I have experience as a writer and subsequently a creative director in renowned advertising agencies such as Ogilvy, McCann, JWT, Leo Burnett and Publicis. During this tenure, have made ad films for global brands like Saint Gobain, Mastercard, Coca Cola, Sanofi, Nestle, Dove and more. As a writer, have also published a book by the name of ‘And in the parallel world…’, which is a compilation of 25 short stories and poems. As a film-maker, in addition to my ad films, I have made short experimental digital films for social media and other web platforms. Additionally, indulge in song/music composition and creation for film and video.”
Paper Swans
A Film by Sehar Bhullar Batra14 Minutes 00 Seconds | United States | EnglishSynopsis: When Cole shows up at his ex-lover Aurora’s door one rainy night, a seemingly innocent reunion turns into something more sinister. What secrets do they both hide? About the Director: Hi, I’m Sehar! I’m a writer, director and cinematographer from Delhi, India. I have been fascinated with cinema and storytelling ever since I was first able to comprehend them, and started dabbling in photography, writing and filmmaking by the time I reached middle school. I got my Bachelor’s in Literature and Film Studies and am now completing my MFA in Cinematography in Los Angeles. I’m just officially starting out on my filmmaking journey and can’t wait to share more stories with the world!
Goolar Ke Phool (The Cluster Fig Flowers)
A Film by Aronn Miitr18 Minutes 03 Seconds | India | HindiSynopsis: “Set in rural India, Goolar Ke Phool is a sensitive and gently humorous film that unfolds through the conversations of two farmers—Murari, an elderly man shaped by years of agricultural hardship, and his young nephew, Puttu. Most of the film takes place beneath the shade of a tree, where the two sit, observe life around them, and reflect on their personal struggles and the changing world. Murari represents experience, patience, and quiet resilience, while Puttu embodies youthful energy and curiosity. As they talk, everyday realities of farming surface: unpredictable weather, rising costs, financial pressure, and the wide gap between government policies and their actual implementation. Welfare schemes meant for farmers often remain confined to paperwork, a truth the two characters address with sharp wit and understated satire. Their discussions gradually move beyond money and systems to deeper questions about human responsibility. Murari and Puttu reflect on the increasing frequency of natural disasters—droughts, floods, and erratic climate patterns—and question whether these are purely natural or the result of human actions. They point toward pollution from factories and vehicles, excessive use of air conditioners, unchecked industrialization, and careless exploitation of nature as factors contributing to environmental imbalance. What happens to the ozone layer and the environment, they realize, ultimately affects the farmer’s field, crops, and survival. Blending humor with emotional depth, Goolar Ke Phool invites the audience to laugh, reflect, and introspect. The film is both a tribute to the resilience of farmers and a quiet reminder that environmental destruction and its consequences are collective human responsibilities, not distant or abstract concerns.” About the Director: “In 2004, Aron Mitr has cultivated a rich foundation in performing arts,working as a director, writer, and actor alongside renowned theater figureslike Padma Shri Raj Bisaria, Salim Aarif, and Piyush Mishra. His pursuit ofexcellence led him to complete a two-year diploma in Dramatic Arts fromBhartendu Natya Academy, Lucknow (2008-10), and a Film OrientationCourse at FTII, Pune, in 2010. Since moving to Mumbai in 2011, he has beena dynamic presence in both theater and film. His directorial debut, AccheDin (2016), won an award at MAMI and led to a year-long internship withthe MAMI team and Vidhu Vinod Chopra Productions. His short film OldKid (2020) earned a Filmfare nomination, highlighting his growth as afilmmaker with a distinct voice. Continually writing and directing, he strivesto make a lasting impact on the world of cinema.Winner at Kolkata International Film Festival 2025- Best Indian FilmWinner at Frames Film Festival, Nerul, Mumbai 2025. Best Indian ShortFilmWinner at Jaipur International Film Festival 2025, (special jury mention) –Best Indian Short Film.Winner at Mumbai International Cult Film Festival-Best Director &BestOriginal Screenplay.”
Chashma (Spectacles)
A Film by Ritesh Bhaskaran10 Minutes 51 Seconds | India | HindiSynopsis: “Three small boys are playing cricket when the ball goes into the house of an old man. The boys ring the bell and the old man answers the door. The old man searches for the ball but cannot find it. One of the boys notices that the old man is wearing spectacles with extremely dirty lenses and offers to clean them for him. To his surprise, the old man politely turns down his offer saying that the spectacles are not dirty. The boys find the ball and leave. About the Director: Ritesh Bhaskaran has assisted on several projects including Feature Films, Commercials, Docuseries and Short Films and has independently directed multiple Short Films, Corporate Films and a Vertical Show.
