Cannes 2025: Nihar Palwe's Short Film The Storm, The Calm, The Madness, The Magic To Premiere In Straight 8 Competition

Nihar Palwe's short film The Storm, The Calm, The Madness, The Magic, has been officially selected as one of the top eight films globally in the Straight 8 competition, as per a report in PTI. It will premiere at the ongoing 78th edition of the international festival, on May 19, at Cinema Olympia. The short film will have its world premiere at BFI IMAX in London on May 24.

Straight 8 is a UK-based filmmaking challenge, where participants have to shoot a film on a single Super 8mm cartridge, which is entirely edited in-camera, with sound submitted blind and no post-production. Out of hundreds of entries from all across the world, only top 8 are selected for premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, the release stated.

The Storm, The Calm, The Madness, The Magic, was made in association with Harkat Studios. It stars Prit Kamani and Aditi Sandhya Sharma. Music has been given by Adith Anande.

The makers said it is the first time in over 25 years of the competition that an Indian film has ever made it to Straight 8's Top 8.

They also said that the short film deals with the themes of chaos, serenity, and artistic surrender.

Palwe, in a statement, called it a "huge moment" not just for him but for "Indian cinema as a whole". He feels honoured to represent the country on such an "unfiltered, global platform".

"Composing without the visuals was terrifying at first, but once I leaned into the unknown, it became deeply emotional. I had to feel what the film might be, not see it," said Anande.