

A short film exploring absurdity in crisis
APOCALIFT
Genre: Short Film, 2023
Role: Concept, Script, Direction, Videography, Editing
Tools: Iphone, DaVinci Resolve
Team Project (NIFT Shillong)
“Apocalift” is a satirical short film that unfolds inside a single elevator, moments after a viral WhatsApp message
claims that the world is ending. Through chaos, comedy, and confrontation, it mirrors how humans react to collective
panic, sometimes with fear, sometimes with absurdity, and sometimes with self-importance.
The Story
Inside a cramped lift, five strangers get stuck just as a WhatsApp message goes viral, claiming the apocalypse is here.





Aryaman Pandey
Ira (Current Girlfriend)
Minakshi (Ex Girlfriend)
Rhea (Ex- Bestfriend)
The Stranger
Self-centered
Unbothered rich brat
Takes nothing seriously
Thrives on attention
Possessive yet Classy
Naive in her trust
Self Aware
Emotionally Intelligent
Still stuck on the past
A little arrogant
Self-centered
Emotionally composed
Has strict boundaries
Anxious
Claustrophobic
Bookish
Introverted
Apocalift was the first short film I ever made, back in my 4th semester and it came with every kind of challenge a first-time
filmmaker could imagine. We were just a bunch of students experimenting, figuring things out as we went, but completely driven
by curiosity and excitement. What made this project special was how we handled everything from start to finish, from developing
the concept, writing the script managing the shoot, and finally editing the film. It was the first time I truly experienced how each
stage connects, and how filmmaking is a beautifully layered, collaborative process.
The biggest technical hurdle was shooting inside a lift that had a large mirror, which made framing incredibly tricky. Every shot
risked catching a reflection of the camera, so we had to be extra precise with angles, blocking, and lighting. Working in such a
confined space also meant dealing with sound reflections and managing actor comfort during long takes.
But despite all of that, this project was the turning point for me, the moment I realized how much I loved storytelling. It’s where
my passion for filmmaking truly began to take shape.











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Assistant Director
Akshara Kachhawa



