Short Films Showcase (Day 2)

Day - 2

Dhummas: Dhummas highlights the irony that the most insidious forms of patriarchy is passed down through the female members. It is with the emergence of the newfound self by women, which shakes the foundations of the patriarchal frameworks.

Kicking Balls: Each year, 12 million girls are married before the age of 18. That is 23 girls every minute.

In three small villages in Rajasthan, a non-profit org is trying to change this. Through football. 200 teenage girls playing and training regularly. What sets them apart is, almost all of them are child brides. The film explores their sisterhood and journey.
Football has given them the confidence, ­independence and agency to stand up to the patriarchy and say no to child marriages. 

Many have fought to get their marriages annulled.  Some have staunchly refused to go to the husband's home. What the future holds for these little girls, nobody knows. But for now, they are in charge, they are confident, and they love kicking balls!

Kicking Balls is the story of these brave young girls from rural Rajasthan, tackling their way out of forced child marriages, poverty and caste oppression by playing football and fighting for their right to study. It's an exploration of everyday feminism, unbelievable courage, that's so inspiring for everyone to watch.

Little Fishies: Little Fishies follows 13-year-old Raya as she strives to care for her younger sister amidst their father's funeral. Faced with the absurd atmosphere of a grieving Punjabi household, Raya decides to break free by embarking on a mission to take her sister to the beach — against her mother’s wishes. Their mission turns into a poignant, transformative journey wherein Raya confronts the sudden loss of her own childhood and explores the complexities of grief.

Samayada Harivu (Flow of Time): Samayada Harivu (Flow of Time) delves into the lived experiences of Noor Mary and Prasad, inhabitants residing on opposite sides of the Historic Begur Lake. The documentary observes the complexities surrounding the concept of reclamation and its relevance today. For Noor Mary, the lake is a way to practice sustainable agriculture, whereas for Prasad it is a means of recreation and a chance to stay connected with nature. The contrast between the two distinct voices and the communities they represent emerge. The film paints a picture about the historical significance of the lake, emphasizing on the daily interactions that defined lives then. However, shifting water and land usage patterns resulted in a diminished connection with the lake over time. As the documentary unfolds, it sheds light on the recent community-driven efforts to reclaim the Begur Lake. Through the voices of Noor Mary and Prasad, the film prompts viewers to reflect on the very essence of reclamation—raising essential questions about its true nature and the beneficiaries of such endeavours. The Begur Lake once meant a way of sustainable livelihood. Today it is testament to an act of restoration.

Seige In The Air: Women in Indian-administered Kashmir weave memory threads to piece together a narrative of what it feels like to live under perpetual uncertainty and unending cycles of lockdowns in Kashmir, with a focus on the recent communication blockade of 2019, post the abrogation of Article 370.