The 11-minute thriller Switch Off, created by Abhishek Pathak and Sandeep Francis, has been selected for the 32nd edition of L’Étrange Festival in Paris. The film will screen at Forum des Images as part of the festival, which runs from September 1 to September 12, 2026.
Switch Off thriller earns Paris festival spot
The selection marks another international milestone for the short film. Before Paris, Switch Off was screened at South Korea’s Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN). The Paris pick gives the project a fresh wave of recognition on the global stage.
Abhishek Pathak, who produced the film, spoke about what the selection means for the team. "Being selected for L’Étrange Festival Paris is a wonderful recognition for the film and the team," Pathak said.
What is Switch Off about?
Switch Off follows a mobile repairman whose night takes an unexpected turn after he finds himself alone on the streets of Kochi. The story builds tension around a simple situation that spirals into something far more unsettling.
The film’s setting in Kochi adds a distinct local flavor to the thriller genre, giving international audiences a glimpse of a specific Indian urban landscape at night.
L’Étrange Festival and its global reach
L’Étrange Festival is known for showcasing genre-defying and unconventional cinema. Being part of its 32nd edition puts Switch Off alongside works that push boundaries in horror, fantasy, and thriller storytelling.
The Forum des Images venue is a central spot for film culture in Paris, making the screening a notable platform for the short film’s European debut.
Our Take: A small film with big international momentum
In our view, the back-to-back selections at BIFAN and now L’Étrange Festival say a lot about the quality of Switch Off. Short films often struggle to find audiences beyond festival circuits, but this one is clearly connecting with programmers who look for fresh voices in genre cinema.
The Paris selection is not just a win for Pathak and Francis—it is a signal that Indian short-form storytelling is finding serious traction internationally. For viewers, this is a film worth tracking, especially if it lands on streaming platforms after its festival run.
To put it plainly, Switch Off is doing what every short film hopes to do: building a reputation one festival at a time.
