The documentary follows the lives of two siblings, Juliette and Howard, living on Isle de Jean Charles.The reason it is important to introduce the viewer to this particular island is because, owing to climate change and its disastrous effects on the environment, it is simply a sinking mass of land, declared to be in a state of emergency by the US state of Louisiana. The two teenagers are amongst those who are the first "climate refugees" of the country, to be relocated with their family as well as the other inhabitants of the island. It is through their story, one that hides an intense struggle underneath the surface of everyday, mundane activities, that the film invokes a powerful narrative. It succeeds especially for it manages to make the urgent concerns of climate change a deeply personal issue. It is no longer about faceless people in an unknown part of the world, instead it is about regular kids and their kin living in a neighbourhood probably no different from yours. The wonderful camerawork and the seamless edit allows it to be a story of childhood, memories of the past, growing up and everything else associated with the idea of home. While the siblings try to cling to their sense of familiarity and security, despite all the obstacles life has thrown their way, their safe harbour has been declared uninhabitable by the government, forcing them to leave it all behind. Yes, the film is poignant and deeply moving in the manner in which it shifts the anxieties surrounding a macro issue to a very micro level, but it is also so much more for it tells a story that is becoming increasingly relevant in contemporary times.

Lowland Kids | Short Film of the Day

A group of girls are on a sleepover in a suburban neighborhood and trying to fix a situation without getting the adults involved. The boy who is the sole cause of this situation is blissfully unaware of the events that are unfolding before you, as the narrative goes ahead to reveal. Since this is a situation filled with blood, secrecy, misguided shame and even fear, the last thing you would expect here is humor, which is precisely what the story brings in in an effortless manner, like an organic, most natural aspect of it. This remains the most well-sustained victory of the film throughout. The story is about teenaged girls whose friend has had a miscarriage on their sleepover. Now while a mother awaits the group at an elaborate, hearty breakfast she has prepared for them, the situation has to be somehow brought under control. The narrative, once again, does a wonderful job of filling the moments before they all have to turn up at the meal table with deep tension and unease, and yet undercutting it regularly with laughter induced at the misfortune of our young characters. Further, Player One becomes a lovely offering of an all-female space, authentic and honest in its delineation without bogging itself down with sentimentalism or corniness. The thematic concerns of the film remain subtle, but powerful in its quiet engagement with the anxiety of a young girl in the aftermath of a miscarriage, female friendships and a pivotal moment about ascertaining the share of responsibility in a chaotic situation.

Player One | Short Film of the Day

Friday, an endeavor marked by a team of enthusiastic actors and filmmakers, introduces us to the events of a single day, the crucial aspects of the story that precede it and the horrifying conclusion it is eventually moving towards. The narrative follows a non-linear trajectory to portray it all for the viewer as it introduces them to one character after another. 

 The plot progression is further equipped with a wry narratorial voice that aims to involve you further into the story, thereby attempting to enhance the final result by adding another layer to it. The film exhibits deep potential, a bona fide desire to share an important story, along with a sincerity to performance by all the actors. 

 Additionally, the plot pushes its limits by breaking the fourth wall, fast-paced development of the circumstance and a shocking turn of events in a story that had begun on a fairly harmless note. Consequently, Friday becomes an engaging film with a relevant message, finally leaving the viewer with the interesting prospect of seeing more similar projects by its tenacious team.

Friday | Short Film Nominee

The film is a sincere endeavour to understand the cause and effect of violence, especially when it takes place in spaces we otherwise consider safe. Violence meted out in a familial territory by a father to his son, and bullying that takes place in a high school are the two threads the narrative picks up to weave a story of a school boy. At the cusp of adulthood and all the decisions it entails at the age of eighteen, he is about to be met by crucial choices. It would be by employing these that the film will allow a glimpse into its own internal reflections. It is interesting to note that the brutal father is not the only adult voice we are met with in the film. It is further supplemented with two more kind, rational and helpful adults who would eventually lead the protagonist to understand his situation better, and to perhaps even allow his dreams to be an artist, spread their wings for a flight. Additionally, there is an attempt to understand the origins of physical abuse, and thus, the possibility to work towards a solution of ending it, rather than simply presenting the viewer with the occurence of the problem.

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