There’s a certain unpolished charm to films made with borrowed cameras, improvised lighting, and the cast still learning how to respond to “Action” and “Cut.” Believing in a story and finding others who believe in it too is what forms the essence of campus filmmaking.When classrooms, hostel corridors, and dorm rooms turn into film sets, film students begin to shape their first ideas, frame their first shots, and discover their cinematic calling.
When these humble efforts find themselves on a much bigger stage,that moment is more than a milestone, it is a collective affirmation that stories, no matter how small their beginnings, matter.This year, such a moment belongs to Neo Film School, whose students have made a striking impact at the 17th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK).
Out of the ten films selected in the competitive Campus Films category, three are from Neo alumni,a feat that reflects not just individual talent, but a deeper culture of creative empowerment.
Why Campus Films Matter
Unlike most mainstream content, campus films don’t exist to meet market expectations.They often emerge in environments where limitations are the only asset.With close to zero budgets, tight schedules, and inexperienced crews, campus filmmakers begin their journey with just one thing in abundance,the passion to create and express.They may lack polish, but their honesty cuts deeper and in cinema, that’s what truly matters.
Some of the world’s most renowned filmmakers began their journeys with campus films. Wes Anderson’s quirky, genre-defining style had its first iteration in Bottle Rocket, a short film made with Owen Wilson during his college days . Similarly, The Lunch Date, an Oscar-winning short film known for its powerful portrayal of racism, was a student project by Adam Davidson.These stories remind us that the seed of filmmaking is often planted in the soil of academic and creative exploration.
When such films are acknowledged on larger platforms, the recognition resonates beyond the filmmakers alone—it becomes a moment of pride for institutions, teachers, mentors, classmates, and communities that nurtured those early steps.
IDSFFK: A Festival that Values Vision Over Finish
The International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK), organized by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, has long been a champion of independent, documentary, and short-form storytelling.Now in its 17th edition, the 2025 festival features a compelling lineup across multiple categories including long documentaries, short fictions,animation national and international non-fiction etc.
Campus Films at IDSFFK are not just a student showcase.but a snapshot of the future of cinema. By creating a competitive category specifically for student work, IDSFFK validates their voices and gives them a stage on par with established names.
This year, with hundreds of entries and only ten slots in the final Campus Films selection, three being from a single institution, Neo Film School is not only impressive, it’s indicative of something deeper.
As Pradeep Badhar, a faculty member who mentored the selected students, puts it:
“At Neo, we don’t just train students as students, rather we train them as professionals.That’s why every single film we sent to IDSFFK this year was selected. It reflects the standard we strive for, and the kind of discipline and creative maturity we instill in our students.”
This culture becomes the bedrock on which first-time filmmakers build their confidence and their creative identities.
Recognition That Echoes
For the students behind the three selected films, IDSFFK is more than a screening, it’s a launching pad. To have their work judged by an eminent jury, watched by festival audiences, and celebrated by fellow filmmakers is a reward years in the making. Three out of the 10 official selections were made by students of Neo Film School:
Rahasyam
Anand Mohan’s Rahasyam delves deeper into the life of a 17-year old boy who wants to meet a prostitute for the very first time and seeks help from his colleague to meet someone. An N26 batch pass out,Anand is known for his ability to explore human relationships with emotional depth and nuance.
- Script and Direction- Anand Mohan
- Cinematography – Bharat Radakrishnan
- Editor – Vivek
- Sound Designer – Abhijith M A
Echoes of Silence
Jackson Cyril’s The Echoes of Silence explores the quiet complexities of the relationship between a man in his mid-30s and his bedridden mother. Jackson is a pass out of the N28 direction batch. As our faculty Vineeb Krishnan notes,he is someone who places strong emphasis on visual aesthetics in his narrative style.
- Direction-Jackson Cyril
- Script- Arvind Babu
- Story- Christy Alby
- Cinematography- Arvind Babu
- Editor- Vyshakh
Statues of Sadness
Statues of Sadness tells the story of a daughter in search of her father who abandoned her before she was old enough to remember his face. Director Thejus Rajeevan also hails from the N28 batch.He brings a layered honesty to emotions through his storytelling.
- Direction- Thejus Rajeevan
- Cinematography- Mohith Mohan
- Editor- Subin S Kumar
- Sound- Sudev Krishna,Alan Prakash
17th IDSFFK Official Selection Campus Films (Source: IDSFFK official website)
But this recognition is also a signal to every student still scripting their first short, still wrestling with their first scene as it challenges the notion that only established filmmakers have something important to say.The achievement is also a reminder to institutions: investing in the creative arts pays off,not just in accolades, but in creating thoughtful, engaged, and expressive individuals who will shape the cultural narratives of the future.
We wish the very best to our students as they step into the spotlight, carrying with them not just their films, but the spirit of Neo. The newest students, the N32 batch, have proud alumni to look up to, and excellent works to take notes from. The admissions for N32 batch is still ongoing as of today, but if you are considering joining any time now or in the future, contact us today to start your filmmaking journey.
