Independent short filmmakers find a new stage in Kolkata

Independent short films often begin with sleepless nights and relentless effort, yet many struggle to reach audiences once their festival journeys end. In several cases, they remain limited to a handful of online shares before quietly disappearing into digital archives.Recognising this gap, ShortFlicks Entertainment is launching a new initiative titled ShortFlicks Screen & Speak, Edition I. The platform aims to create a space where independent filmmakers can showcase their work on the big screen while engaging directly with audiences.The inaugural edition will take place on April 10, organised by ShortFlicks Entertainment in association with the International Kolkata Short Film Festival.

Unlike traditional festivals, the platform is not designed as a competition. There will be no awards or trophies. Instead, the initiative seeks to create a meaningful exhibition space where filmmakers can present their work, interact with viewers, and discuss the stories behind their films.

The event will feature curated screenings of short films and music videos, along with filmmaker interactions, behind the film conversations, media engagement, and PR support for participating creators.

Audience entry will be completely free, encouraging film lovers to attend with friends and family and experience short films collectively in a theatrical environment.Among the films that have already been submitted for the initiative are Iti-The Beginning, starring Debleena Dutt and Biswanath; Shudhu Mone Rekho, featuring Falguni Chatterjee and Manasi Sinha; Bhalo Achhi, starring Debshankar Haldar and Laboni Sarkar; and Sahara, featuring Chandan Sen. Organisers have also confirmed that several other promising films are currently under consideration.Two short films that are part of the ShortFlicks Entertainment showcase include Binimoy and Chhayapath, both written by Adityanath Mukherjee and directed by Debjyoti Ghoshal. Binimoy features Debashish Roy, Alokananda Roy Banerjee, Payel Dutta, Saheb Sarkhel, and Priyanka Chatterjee, while Chhayapath stars Shibnath Acharya, Neelanjan Dutta, Meenakshi Ghosh, Suban Roy, Sagar Debnath, and Subrata Sarkar.

Both films have been produced by Keshabananda Mukherjee under the banner of Amaladitya Films and Creative Works.

The initiative builds on the digital platform launched earlier by ShortFlicks Entertainment through its YouTube channel, IKSFF ShortFlicks, which supports independent filmmakers and helps their films reach wider audiences online. The channel follows a revenue sharing model that allows filmmakers to receive a share of the revenue generated through their content.Speaking about the initiative, organiser Sourav Chakraborty said, “Making a short film requires immense dedication, time, and passion. Our aim is to ensure that these films do not remain unseen but instead reach the audience they truly deserve.”With the initiative, the organisers hope to create a vibrant platform where independent cinema finds its audience and short films receive the space they deserve on the big screen.