Bhaderwah — In the secluded village of Dhadkai, nestled within the rugged terrain of Jammu and Kashmir’s Bhalessa region, silence is more than a momentary pause—it is a way of life. This is the reality that Only if the Baby Cries…, a short documentary directed by Shadab Farooq, captures with unflinching poignancy.
The 2024 Indian documentary short film, which has already won the Best Short Film award at the 28th Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival, has now earned a coveted spot on the longlist for the 2025 TOTO Short Film Awards. Chosen from a field of 140 entries, it is one of 27 films to advance in the competition, which celebrates excellence in short filmmaking across genres.
Produced by Rajiv Mehrotra under the Public Service Broadcasting Trust (PSBT), with Aparna Sanyal as the executive producer, the documentary explores the lives of residents in Dhadkai, a remote village in the Doda district often referred to as the “silent village of India.” A significant portion of the population here is affected by congenital hearing and speech disabilities, a condition that has shaped the social fabric of the community.
“This film is not just about the challenges faced by this community; it’s about their resilience and humanity,” Mr. Farooq, a filmmaker from Bhaderwah, said in an interview.
The project, created in collaboration with Anzer Ayoob and Sahib Goni, uses intimate visuals and a sensitive narrative to delve into the social isolation and perseverance of a community that often exists beyond the margins of public discourse.
The TOTO Short Film Awards, founded in 2013 and supported by O2 Financials, honor works in animation, documentary, fiction, experimental, and mixed genres, provided they are no longer than 30 minutes. The awards are an initiative of TOTO Funds the Arts, a trust established in memory of Angirus “Toto” Vellani, a patron of music, literature, and film.
The competition’s jury, composed of filmmakers, editors, and critics, will evaluate the longlisted works to determine a shortlist and, ultimately, the winners.
For Mr. Farooq, this recognition is more than a personal milestone—it is a platform to elevate untold stories from his region. “Dhadkai is a place that remains unseen, its voices unheard,” he said. “This film is our attempt to ensure those voices reach beyond the valley.”
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