Shadows of the Moonless Nights Shines at Cannes

'Shadows of the Moonless Nights', a 24-minute film by FTII student Mehar Malhotra, has been selected for the La Cinef Competition at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The Punjabi-language film will compete for three prizes at the festival, showcasing the talent from the esteemed film institute.

A short film titled 'Shadows of the Moonless Nights' by Mehar Malhotra, a student from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), has been chosen for the La Cinef Competitive section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. This prestigious selection highlights the film school's international prominence.

The 24-minute film, which is part of an impressive lineup of 14 live-action and five animated shorts, is scheduled to vie for three La Cinef prizes. The awards are set to be announced by a jury during a ceremony at the Bunuel Theatre on May 21, amid the festival taking place from May 12 to 23 in Cannes, France.

'Shadows of the Moonless Nights', also known by its Punjabi title 'Parchave Masseah Rataan De', follows the life of Rajan, a factory worker. It features actors Prayrak Mehta, Nikita Grover, and Himanshu Kohli, with a skilled crew that includes cinematographer Diggant Surti and editor Shreyas Bhopi. FTII celebrates yet another milestone, marking its fifth film inclusion in La Cinef since 2017.