Short Film 'Switch Off' Selected for 32nd L'Étrange Festival in Paris

Producer-director Abhishek Pathak and director-writer Sandeep Francis have hit a significant international benchmark as their 11-minute psychological thriller, 'Switch Off', earned an official selection at the 32nd L'Étrange Festival in Paris. The short film is set to screen at the iconic Forum des Images between September 1 and September 12, 2026, putting Indian genre storytelling on a prominent European stage. Expressing his delight, Pathak described the festival selection as a wonderful recognition for both the film and the entire creative team.  

The short film arrives in France following a successful international trajectory, which includes a world premiere and Jury Choice win at South Korea’s Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN). Pathak shared his excitement about presenting the project to Parisian audiences, noting that the narrative's swift pacing and unpredictable setup are well-suited for a festival crowd. He highlighted that while commercial box-office success offers scale, festival recognitions grant the unique fulfillment of seeing a story travel across diverse cultural environments.  

The story unfolds primarily at night, opening inside a quiet mobile repair shop in Kochi where a technician works in isolation. What begins as a routine night turns unsettling when a dead smartphone mysteriously comes back to life and begins documenting the man's immediate reality and future events connected to his fate. Pathak noted that the atmospheric setting and the isolated character backdrop were key elements that initially drew him to back the project.  

Director Sandeep Francis, an acclaimed editor known for his work on thrillers like 'Drishyam 2' and 'Shaitaan', applied his editing expertise to craft a tight, fast-paced narrative. Francis emphasized that his primary focus was keeping the viewer hooked from the opening scene onward, ensuring every shot moves the story forward without losing emotional resonance. Presented by Panorama Studios, 'Switch Off' proves that a simple concept, executed with cinematic precision, can bridge geographical boundaries and engage global audiences.