10 Short Films Worth Watching: Discover Independent Cinema on DPIFF
Ten films. Ten filmmakers. Ten different ways of seeing the world. Explore a curated collection of short films released through the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival’s official YouTube platform.
Short films do not need two hours to tell a story.
Sometimes a few minutes are enough to make you laugh, question something, feel uncomfortable, remember someone or simply see the world differently.
DPIFF’s Season 4 Short Film Release Collection brings together filmmakers and stories in one place, giving audiences a direct way to discover independent cinema through the festival’s official YouTube platform.
Press play. Pick a film. Stay for the story.
What Are You In The Mood For?
Choose a mood and let the collection narrow itself down. All ten films remain available below.
The Collection
Watch the films directly on YouTube. Every thumbnail and watch button opens the official DPIFF release.
WATCH FILM
DENIAL
A short film by Arshad Siddiqui
Two college lovers with very different personalities plan a romantic surprise that takes an unexpected turn.
Written and produced by Simmer Bhatia and directed by Arshad Siddiqui, DENIAL explores love, individuality and the emotional shock of a final twist.
WATCH FILM
WATCH FILM
Ruthusrava | The Periods
A short film by Dr. Vani Sundeep
A young girl’s first period becomes a moment that asks an important question: who should be there when a child needs support?
Based on true events, the Kannada short follows Dhhriti and her father as the family confronts early menstruation, stigma and the need for open conversation.
WATCH FILM
WATCH FILM
SISTER RANI MARIA, A STORY OF FORGIVENESS
A short film by DPIFF Release
A story of extraordinary forgiveness inspired by the real-life journey of Sister Rani Maria and the family who chose compassion after tragedy.
The film centres on forgiveness, reconciliation and the possibility of transformation after one of the most painful experiences a family can face.
WATCH FILM
WATCH FILM
Darr
A short film by Danish Kabir
Fear can be invisible, but it can shape every decision. Darr turns that emotion into a compact cinematic experience.
Starring Mohammed Fouzuddin, with story by Mohammed Fouzuddin and direction, screenplay, editing and cinematography by Danish Kabir.
WATCH FILM
WATCH FILM
PARIJAYEE
A short film by Badal Sarkar
A deeply emotional story about the untold struggles faced by married women and the battles that often remain invisible.
Directed by Badal Sarkar and written by Partha Chakrabortty, PARIJAYEE uses drama, strong performances and a socially relevant theme to reflect on women’s lived realities.
WATCH FILM
WATCH FILM
BAAZ
A short film by Dhruv Pandav
Pride, resilience and self-respect become the driving forces in a story about rising above life’s toughest challenges.
BAAZ was directed by Dhruv Pandav with concept and writing by Charanpal Singh. The film has also received festival recognition, including a Best Actor award for Charanpal Singh at the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival.
WATCH FILM
WATCH FILM
Destiny
A short film by Vishakha Bhardwaj
A young girl’s dreams, family support and an unimaginable tragedy collide in a story about courage and resilience.
Destiny follows a spirited young girl determined to chase her dreams before a devastating event changes everything. The film explores hope, perseverance and the harsh realities that can interrupt a young life.
WATCH FILM
WATCH FILM
The Changing Season
A short film by Dr. Mohd Fouzuddin
Life changes quietly, then suddenly. This award-winning short turns change itself into the heart of the story.
An emotional drama by Dr. Mohd Fouzuddin, presented through the DPIFF Release platform and recognised as an award-winning short film.
WATCH FILM
WATCH FILM
AALOR THIKANA
A short film by Rupsa Chatterjee
In a village affected by arsenic contamination, illness is complicated by superstition, stigma and the struggle for scientific awareness.
Written and produced by Dr. Pradip Kumar Das and directed by Rupsa Chatterjee, this Bengali documentary follows two affected women and a doctor working to restore understanding, dignity and hope.
WATCH FILM
WATCH FILM
Good Bad and Ugly
A short film by Dr. Mohd Fouzuddin
Human nature rarely fits into neat categories. This film explores the unpredictable space between good, bad and everything in between.
Story, screenplay and direction are by Dr. Mohd Fouzuddin, with cinematography by Chidathala Naveen. The film invites viewers to reflect on human nature, resilience and life’s unexpected turns.
WATCH FILMStill watching?
Good. You are halfway through. Five more stories are waiting.
Why Short Films Deserve Your Attention
The internet has changed how cinema is discovered.
You do not always need to wait for a theatrical release. You do not need a multiplex. You do not need a two-hour commitment.
A short film can deliver a complete cinematic experience in the time it takes to have a coffee.
For filmmakers, short films are much more than content.
A First Film
The first finished work that turns an idea into a real piece of cinema.
A Calling Card
A direct demonstration of a filmmaker’s voice, craft and creative instinct.
A Proof of Concept
A compact way to test a world, character, theme or filmmaking approach.
A Story That Needed Telling
Sometimes a short film exists because a particular story could not stay unwatched.
Why Watch Independent Short Films?
Because the next filmmaker you discover may not be famous yet.
Independent cinema gives creators room to experiment with unusual stories, regional languages, unconventional characters, social themes, personal experiences and new filmmaking techniques.
That is what makes short-film discovery exciting.
Stories From Different Perspectives
Look at the ten films in this collection and the range becomes clear.
A love story can suddenly become something else. A family conversation can become a social statement. A story of fear can become a study of resilience. A documentary can turn a local health crisis into a human story with universal meaning.
Cinema does not have to make everyone feel the same thing.
It simply needs to make you feel something.
A Festival You Can Watch From Anywhere
A physical festival happens in a venue. A digital film collection can travel anywhere.
Mumbai. Delhi. London. Dubai. New York. Bengaluru. Kolkata. Or a small town where someone simply wants to discover a good film tonight.
DPIFF’s Release Program is built around giving filmmakers an opportunity to premiere eligible projects on the festival’s official YouTube channel and support the release through promotional activities. The current program accepts Short Films, Music Videos, Documentaries and Animated Films, with submissions open year-round.
That creates a simple bridge between filmmaker and audience: make the work, release the work, let people discover the work.
Do Not Just Watch. Support the Filmmaker.
If a film connects with you, do something small that matters.
Like it. Comment. Share it. And where available, discover more work from the filmmaker.
For an independent creator, one genuine viewer can become another recommendation, another conversation, another opportunity and another person who remembers their work.
Your Film Could Be Here.
Watching these films might make you ask a simple question: when will my film get its chance?
If you have already completed a short film, documentary, animated film or music video, DPIFF’s Release Program provides a route to submit the project for consideration for release on the official DPIFF YouTube channel.
Already have a completed film and want to take it further? Explore the current DPIFF 2027 nomination categories for Best Short Film, Best Documentary Short Film, Best Animated Short Film, Best Student Short Film and Best AI Short Film.
EXPLORE DPIFF 2027 NOMINATIONSOne Screen. Ten Stories. Endless Possibilities.
You do not need a blockbuster to discover great cinema. Sometimes, you just need to press play.
WATCH ALL 10 SHORT FILMSWatch the full collection on the official DPIFF YouTube channel or explore the DPIFF Release Program.
