‘Holy Curse’, a powerful and evocative short film directed by Snigdha Kapoor, has won the coveted Best Short Film award at the 19th Tasveer Film Festival and Market in Seattle. The Indo-US-UK co-production is now eligible for submission to the 2026 Academy Awards in the Best Live Action Short category.
Kapoor, a filmmaker who divides her time between the US and India, is known for her work exploring gender, sexuality, and societal norms. ‘Holy Curse’ is a thought-provoking exploration of gender identity, tradition, and self-discovery. It not only challenges traditional gender expectations, but also offers a broader commentary on unacknowledged forms of conversion therapy in India, through misuse and misapplication of cultural practices.
MORE LIKE THIS…
Kapoor said: “Winning the Best Short Film award at Tasveer is an incredible honour. This film is deeply personal to me, and the fact that it is now eligible for the Oscars is beyond anything I could have imagined.
“I hope ‘Holy Curse’ opens up important conversations about identity and tradition, not just within South Asian communities but globally.”
Acclaimed for its bold storytelling and exceptional performances, the film has already made a strong impression on the festival circuit. The coming-of-age tale had its global debut this month across three continents, with a world premiere at the 68th BFI London Film Festival, an Asian premiere at the 21st MAMI Mumbai Film Festival and finally, a north American premiere at the Tasveer Film Festival.
Producer Neeraj Churi of Lotus Visual Production, a staunch advocate for LGBTQIA+ stories, remarked: “This film holds a mirror to how deeply ingrained beliefs can harm individuals who don’t conform to societal norms. The recognition at Tasveer affirms the importance of telling such stories and gives us the momentum to push for change on a broader scale.”
MORE LIKE THIS…
The film stars Mrunal Kashid in a breakout role alongside Adithi Kalkunthe, Shardul Bhardwaj, Anup Soni, and Prayrak Mehta. It centres around 11-year-old Radha, an immigrant in America who, during a family visit to India, is subjected to orthodox rituals believed to cure an alleged ancestral curse. As Radha grapples with the confusion of puberty and the complexities of their gender identity, they must also confront the deeply ingrained beliefs of their family, who turn to astrology and rituals in an attempt to “correct” Radha’s thoughts.
Kapoor’s creative team includes Emmy-nominated cinematographer Juhi Sharma, Indian National Award-winning editor Anadi Athaley, lauded colourist Mahak Gupta and composer Alex Symcox.
