Three Goan Films Screened at the 129th AAFT International Festival of Short Films in Noida

Three Goan Films Screened at the 129th AAFT International Festival of Short Films in Noida

Three Goan short films Rishi, directed by Mario Pimenta and Anlisa Rodrigues; Illuminate, directed by Numair Khan; and Her Unfinished Chapters, directed by Sharvi Dhond  were screened in the Up to 20 Minutes category at the 129th AAFT International Festival of Short Films, held at the Marwah Studios Complex in Film City, Noida.

Rishi, directed and conceptualised by Mario Pimenta and Anlisa Rodrigues, explores themes of love, loss and emotional closure. Anlisa also served as the cinematographer, while Mario handled the editing. Cyrus Fernandes plays the titular character, Rishi, while Roshni Maurya portrays Zoya.

The film features no dialogue and unfolds through narration by Sneha Fernandes, who voices Zoya’s conscience. Exploring the idea that everyone has a “Rishi” in their life — someone who becomes an inseparable part of their journey — the film follows Zoya as she navigates the emotional void left by the loss of her best friend, highlighting the inevitability of death and the struggle to find closure.

Directed by Numair Khan, Illuminate explores the emotional and social significance of eye and organ donation. The story follows a young man who initially struggles to accept his mother’s decision to donate her organs after death. However, an unexpected encounter with a blind child gradually changes his perspective, helping him understand and embrace the value of organ donation.

The film stars Rameez Shaikh as the protagonist and Falak Fatima Siddiqui as his wife, while Sakshi Kittur and Sarah Cabral portray the pivotal roles of the mother and the blind child, respectively. Lenin Rodrigues and Abigail Picardo appear in supporting roles. Varun Kashyap handled the editing, Sharvi Dhond provided the voice-over, and Rameez Shaikh also served as the assistant director.

Her Unfinished Chapters, created by Sharvi Dhond and Poonam Bind. Written and directed by Sharvi Dhond, who also plays the lead role, the film explores themes of memory, trust and emotional vulnerability. Poonam Bind handled both cinematography and editing.

The story centres on a young woman with a passion for writing who finds comfort in documenting the people who pass through her life. Over time, her mind becomes a library of memories filled with fleeting encounters, deep relationships and painful betrayals, reflecting the lasting impact of the people who shape her life.

The 129th edition of the AAFT International Festival of Short Films, organised by the Asian Academy of Film & Television (AAFT) at Marwah Studios, featured 208 films from India and abroad, with 36 films honoured by the jury across various categories. The screening of these three Goan films highlighted the diverse storytelling approaches of their filmmakers, with narratives exploring friendship and loss, the importance of organ donation, and the complexities of memory and human relationships.