This year’s Marché du Film at the Cannes Film Festival has brought a major achievement for India’s independent cinema, with three short films backed by Ahmedabad-based producer Harshvardhan Patel being selected for screening. All three films have been directed by first-time independent filmmakers, with one of them shot at Ahmedabad’s Balvatika amusement park.
Mumbai filmmaker Manisha Makwana will make her Cannes debut with her short film Gudgudi, scheduled to screen on May 20. Starring Ahsaas Channa and backed by Mukesh Chhabra, the film follows Ritu, a young woman secretly working as a mascot at an amusement park while struggling with loneliness and family responsibilities. Shot at Ahmedabad’s Balvatika in just two-and-a-half days, the film is inspired by Manisha’s own experiences working at an amusement park. Known for assisting creators Raj and DK on projects like The Family Man, Farzi and Guns & Gulaabs, Manisha described the Cannes selection as surreal and emotional.
The second selected film, The Pissing Tales, directed by Ajmer filmmaker Chirag Balani, is set in a school in Kashmir and tells the story of two boys dealing with bullying, friendship and childhood innocence. Shot in Kashmir, the film presents a softer and more emotional perspective of the region beyond violence and politics. The third film, Dhanki Devi, directed by Mumbai filmmaker Aashna Singh, explores how modern parents push children towards social media fame, highlighting the loss of innocence in the age of online validation. The film had earlier been showcased at Berlinale EFM before being picked for the Cannes market.
Ahmedabad producer behind all three Cannes selections
Producer Harshvardhan Patel, an engineering graduate who earlier worked in journalism and hospitality, called the achievement a milestone in his filmmaking journey. He said independent filmmaking comes with uncertainty, financial risks and creative struggles, but persistence and honesty help stories reach audiences worldwide. Manisha also spoke about gender imbalance in the industry, calling filmmaking “a man’s world”, while adding that leading projects as a woman filmmaker gives her confidence and pride.