Pune Medical Students Shine as Their Short Film Wins 5 Prestigious Awards
Pune Medical Students Shine as Their Short Film Wins 5 Prestigious Awards
A short film created by students of Smt Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospital has won international recognition. The Staircase: A journey of emotions captures the untold stories of people in a hospital, as witnessed by a staircase. The film was part of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Pune Film Festival and has won five international awards.Â
Directed by Dr. Ajay Patil, head of the Forensic Medicine and Toxicology department, the 16-minute short film highlights the emotions and struggles of doctors, patients, and hospital staff. It was conceptualized by medical student Faraj Shaikh, with resident doctors Dr. Sagar Patil and Dr. Malhar Thorat co-directing.
The film tells multiple stories. One of them is about Prashant, a man who lost his wife and children to COVID-19 and now visits the hospital, speaking to the staircase where their bodies were once kept. Another story follows Shekhar, a wealthy businessman who loses his daughter in the hospital. Hearing another patient celebrate the birth of a baby girl deeply affects him. The staircase silently witnesses all these moments.
Students handled everything from scriptwriting and direction to set arrangements and music.
Dr. Ajay Patil, who trained at the Film and Television Institute of India, guided the team.
According to the Indian Express, the film won Best Short Film at the Dreamz Catcher International Film Festival 2024, Best Inspirational Film at the Shunyatam International Film Festival 2024, and Second Best Director at the same festival. It was also officially selected at the International Kolkata Short Film Festival 2024 and Abhijaat Short Film Festival 2024.
IMA Pune honored the team on March 30 for their achievement.
