New Delhi: Among the 36 short films to be premiered in the annual New York Indian Film Festivals, Patna filmmaker Azad Alam’s latest women-centric, pandemic-based short film, ‘Together’, has secured its place. Considered one of North America's oldest and most prestigious festival, the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF) will take place from May 7 to 14 and will showcase films from India and the Indian Diaspora.


'Together' is set in the time of Covid second wave and explores the struggle of families, class divide, and the indomitable human spirit.  


Told from the perspective of two women, 'Together' is about an upper-middle-class woman, Rekha played by Natasha Rastogi of Made in Heaven, Gehraaiyan, and Paglait fame, and her migrant domestic help, Munmun of Sherni and Sonchiriya fame. The women, who were initially at the loggerheads, find themselves stuck under the same roof during Covid lockdown. 


The striking fact about ‘Together’ is that it is helmed by women not only on screen but behind the scenes too. Priyanka Singh, a known Bollywood filmmaker is the co-writer along with Alam, cinematographer, and co-producer of the film. A member of the Indian Women Cinematographers’ Collective, Priyanka Singh’s directorial film, 'Maunn' had bagged India the Best Film award at Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival and was voted the film of the year by Shorted India in 2020. 


The Ghazi Attack fame Azad Alam often explores themes related to women. Together, according to him, is a special film, because it reflects the truth we all have lived. 
The short film has bagged a place in the NYIFF among the likes of ''Taangh/Longing'', directed by Bani Singh, and  ''The Beatles and India: An Enduring Love Affair'', a documentary directed by Ajoy Bose and Peter Compton. 


The fest will showcase documentaries and short films on burning and thought-provoking issues. Faraz Ali’s ''Shoebox'' (Hindi) explores a young woman’s complex relationship with her father as the world around them changes drastically. It will also screen a collection of shorts exploring LGBTQ stories set in India with ''Dal Bhat'', ''Keep Punching'', ''Kiss, Man & Wife'', ''My Mother's Girlfriend'', ''Pariah'' and ''The Way We Are.


(With additional inputs from PTI)