FTII Student's Short Film Competes at Cannes: 'Shadows of the Moonless Nights'

'Shadows of the Moonless Nights', directed by Mehar Malhotra, a student at the Film and Television Institute of India, has been selected for the La Cinef Competitive section at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The film, a 24-minute Punjabi-language short, is among 14 live-action and five animated shorts chosen from 2,750 entries globally.

The film highlights the struggles of Rajan, a factory worker who battles grueling work hours and an unsettling home life, in a quest to find rest during sleepless nights in the city. The fictional narrative is brought to life by lead actors Prayrak Mehta, Nikita Grover, and Himanshu Kohli.

With cinematography by Diggant Surti and music by Sudin, the film team includes Rashmi Kushwaha for production design and Shreyas Bhopi as editor. Competing for three La Cinef prizes, the winners will be announced on May 21 at the Bunuel Theatre, marking Malhotra's remarkable achievement celebrated on social media.

(With inputs from agencies.)