The Women’s Cinema Collective Competition at the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival (BISFF) 2026 has officially selected Martya, a 20-minute Assamese short film directed by actress-turned-filmmaker Pragya Parmita and co-directed by Uday Patar. The selection adds another significant achievement to the film’s growing festival journey. BISFF is recognised as India’s only Oscar-qualifying short film festival, making the selection particularly noteworthy for Assamese independent cinema.
Shot in and around Guwahati, Martya explores the complexities of human relationships and the delicate balance between hope and reality. The film has a deeply personal connection for Pragya Parmita, who has dedicated the project to the memory of her late father, Mani Medhi. Through an emotionally driven narrative, the film examines how individuals negotiate relationships, expectations and the often-uncomfortable gap between what they hope for and what reality permits.
The short film has already travelled through several important festival platforms, including the 48th Moscow International Film Festival, the 18th Jaipur International Film Festival, the 9th New Delhi Film Festival, BISFF and the 9th South Asian Short Film Festival in Kolkata. Its journey across these diverse circuits has brought further visibility to contemporary Assamese short filmmaking.
The film features veteran actress Bina Baruwati, who completes her 50th year in the Assamese film industry, alongside acclaimed actor Dulal Roy. Their presence connects the project with Assam’s rich cinematic legacy while placing experienced performers within a contemporary short-film narrative.
Behind the camera, Martya features Sarpil Nandan Deka as cinematographer and Dheeraj Majumdar as editor. National Award-winning sound designer Debajit Gayan has handled the sound design, while Dr. Sourav Mahanta has composed the background score.
For Pragya Parmita, the film represents a significant transition from acting to filmmaking and carries the added emotional weight of being a tribute to her father. Its continuing journey through major Indian and international festivals demonstrates how intimate stories from Assam can find resonance far beyond their immediate cultural setting.
The selection at BISFF 2026, particularly in the Women’s Cinema Collective Competition, further strengthens Martya‘s position within India’s independent short-film circuit and adds another notable chapter to the film’s growing international journey.