Actor Sayani Gupta is stepping behind the camera with her directorial debut, a short film titled Aasmani. The film is set to travel across the international festival circuit, with selections at 10 film festivals spanning four countries over the next two months.
Sayani Gupta’s Aasmani Festival Run Across Four Countries
Aasmani, which Gupta both wrote and directed, will screen at festivals in the US, Canada, Japan, and India. The upcoming appearances include the Washington DC South Asian Film Festival, Tokyo International Short Film Festival, India International Film Festival of Boston, Chicago South Asian Film Festival, and Atlanta International Film Festival.
According to the original story, these selections mark a busy two-month stretch for the film as it makes its way through the global festival circuit.
Aasmani Selected for India’s Kerala and Bengaluru Festivals
In India, the short film has earned a spot in the Short Film Competition at the International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala (IDSFFK). It was also part of the India competition at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival.
These domestic selections add to the film’s growing list of honors, placing it alongside its international screenings.
Our Take: A Promising Step for Sayani Gupta’s Filmmaking Career
To put it plainly, this is a strong start for Sayani Gupta as a director. Getting a debut short film into 10 festivals across four countries is no small feat. It shows that festival programmers see something worth sharing with audiences worldwide.
The mix of festivals — from South Asian-focused events in the US to international shorts showcases in Tokyo — suggests Aasmani has broad appeal. For Gupta, known for her acting work, this directorial debut could open a new chapter in her career. For audiences, it is a chance to see a familiar face take on a new creative challenge.
We will be watching to see how Aasmani performs on this festival run and what it means for Gupta’s future behind the camera.
