Behind the Scenes: My Experience as a Jury Member at Outsiders Film Festival 2

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Being invited to serve as a jury member at Outsiders Film Festival 2 was both an honour and a deeply enriching experience. This unique festival has carved a space for itself by spotlighting bold new voices in short films—stories that are often overlooked, yet urgently need to be told. 


Over the day, we watched an incredible spectrum of films—ranging from hard-hitting documentaries like The Dirty Sky to experimental fiction and socially charged narratives. Each screening reinforced the power of storytelling and the crucial role that platforms like Outsiders play in amplifying unheard perspectives.


What makes this festival truly special is its unwavering commitment to inclusivity. It champions narratives from the fringes and makes sure every filmmaker’s voice is not just heard but celebrated.


It was a privilege to share jury responsibilities with a diverse panel of stalwarts from the world of cinema, journalism, literature, and the arts. 


Esteemed figures included author, journalist and TEDx speaker Nandita Puri, filmmaker and author O.P. Srivastava, acclaimed cinematographer Aseem Bajaj, producers Tracy D’Souza, Jasmine Babbar, and Sidharth Jain, actress and voice artist Diiva Dhanoya, film and theatre critic Ajit Rai, actress Nikita Bisht, industrialists Sanjeev Gupta and Ganpat Kothari, artist Sangeeta Babani, and director Sanjay Khanduri.


The jury and curators also included producer Ramira Taneja, actor and producer Rahul Kapoor, publisher Akshay Sonthalia, actor Sudhish Sinha, lawyer Chandrachud Das, and myself, Karina Pandya, as an author and coach.


Some of the standout films that moved the audience included In Search of Julian, Alfaaz, Workplace Harassment, Halaahal, Lost Letters, India Files, and of course, Outsiders Welcome—each offering something distinct, powerful, and thought-provoking. Post-screening discussions gave us a chance to dive deeper into the films’ themes, intentions, and impact.Some of the film-makers whose films were screened include Marie Sushila, Saurabh Arora, Kalyani Khona, Param Kalra, Parth Gagan, Varuna Nigam, Rohan Gadi, Murali Bommaku, Ashok Patel, Tarun Agarwal, Dolly & Julian Sidana and O.P. Srivastava.


The day concluded with an awards ceremony that added a celebratory note to this cinematic journey—honouring creativity, courage, and craft.

It was an unforgettable day filled with meaningful stories, heartfelt conversations, and a shared love for cinema that dares to go off the beaten track.


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