Do you only have less than 30 minutes until the next work deadline? Are you looking forward to watching something during that time? A three-hour movie or three-day web series won’t cut it for you. So, here are some impactful short films that are as good as any movie or web series. These seven award-winning short films will leave you with movie-level entertainment.

1. Tears of Roses

As reflected in the title, Tears of Roses underlines the theme of finding poetry in broken things. A young man finds solace in poetry to deal with a recent heartbreak. He goes to his ex-beloved to prove his innocence and get a second chance to revive the relationship. On his way, he meets a flower seller who introduces him to an emotional reality to improve his perspective. Directed by Anmol Mahla, the movie stars Jatin Mulani, Sujal Punmiya, Shabrish Nair and Janvi Tharwani.

2. The Elephant Whisperers

India’s first short film that received an Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023, The Elephant Whisperers narrates an engaging tale of an Indigenous couple in south India, Bomman and Bellie. The film portrays the love shared between the couple and the two elephants they are fostering, Raghu and Ammukutty. Moreover, the movie explores the themes of animals’ intelligence and the positive co-existence between humans and animals.

3.  Not Friends Not Strangers

Set in the Covid-19 lockdown era, Not Friends Not Strangers recounts a captivating story of two women exhibiting class polarities. One woman has lost her job due to the pandemic, while the other is forced to step outside to ensure timely food deliveries. But one day, something changes their lives as their complexities unite them. These changes further foster distrust, insecurities, and more complicated emotions. The short film showcases the great on-screen presence of Aneet Kriplani, Ekta Shri, Sudhanshu Rana and Meena Sabharwal.

4. Jane

Jane is a story about every girl’s dilemma around the horrors and comfort of using a menstrual cup. As Jane uses a menstrual cup for the first time, it does not end the way she expected. Hailing from a middle-class family, she is unable to express her internal struggle due to taboos around menstruation. How will she cope with this discomfort alone? Will somebody come to her rescue? Jane brings out the stigma attached to women’s menstrual health and creates awareness about the same.

Related: 10 Women-Centric Short Films On YouTube If You Need An Emotional Riot

5. Carbon

This coming-of-age short film is an astounding work directed by Maitreyi Bajpai and Ramiz Khan. The story talks about our future, nearly 43 years from now, where oxygen will be too scarce for survival. Carbon urges us to think about climate change critically and take immediate measures to improve it. The film presses on the expected future unrest due to the commodification of oxygen — the reason behind our existence. Spectacular actors, including Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Prachi Desai, Jackky Bhagnani and Yahpal Sharma, make the writing impactful through their craft.

6. The Guest

Starring Avinash Tiwary, The Guest follows the story of a young man whose car breaks down on an isolated mountain road. He cannot receive any help in the dark until he finally finds a place after the day’s search. An old lady opens the door and provides the much-needed shelter to the guest. But things take a weird turn when something strange happens, changing the lives of everyone around. Directed by Ayappa K.M., the short film impressed the jury at the Mumbai Film Festival.

7. Parcel- Story of a Delivery Boy

Directed by Pramod Lahane, Parcel- Story of a Delivery Boy articulates the struggle of Vishal, a guy who recently lost his 9-5 job. Forced to take up the role of a delivery guy, he fails to deliver all the packages on time due to the Diwali rush. As Vishal feels crushed under the weight of undelivered parcels, something strange happens that leaves him in great wonder. The story features Suryabhan Dheple, Dev Kangane and Siddhi Kadam.

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