Shobhita’s short film ‘Khilawadi’ selected in competition at 45th Cambridge Film Festival

Director Shobhita’s acclaimed short film, Khilawadi (The One Who Plays Khilawadi), has secured an official selection in the Short Fusion Competition Programme at the 45th Cambridge Film Festival (CFF).

The selection places Khilawadi (The One Who Plays) among international entries competing in the Short Fusion Programme, recognising its storytelling and artistic vision.

In its official invitation, the Cambridge Film Festival programming committee wrote, “We are thrilled to inform you that your short film has been selected for the Short Fusion Programme 2026! Your work showcases the talent and vision that make the world of cinema so captivating.”

Khilawadi (The One Who Plays) has earned international recognition, winning awards at the Kazan International Altyn Minbar Film Festival in Russia, the SAMA International Film Festival in Sweden and the Fascinasian Film Festival in Canada.

The short film has also been screened at the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF), the Jaipur International Film Festival and other international festivals in France and Mexico.

The Cambridge Film Festival, the UK’s third-oldest film festival and a BAFTA-qualifying event, is a prominent fixture on the international cinema calendar.

Established in 1977, CFF has built nearly half a century of rich cinematic history, celebrated for balancing high-profile vanity and glamour with a steadfast commitment to artistic glory.

Over the decades, the festival has served as a launchpad for legendary filmmakers and landmark cinema, hosting premieres and screenings for masterworks by directors such as Quentin Tarantino, Pedro Almodóvar, Mike Leigh, and Jean-Luc Godard.