Private Project

Distant

A misfit illegal immigrant working two jobs is pushed into a corner by the deteriorating health of his mother back in India. This is a story about the emotional struggle of a son to keep his mother alive from a distant country and how he stands up to the adversities of a marginal life to find true happiness

  • Akhil Deva
    Director
    Beyond Customs, Stardust, Homestead, Hallowed be thy name, Ugh
  • Akhil Deva
    Writer
  • Natasha Sequiera
    Producer
  • Triparna Banerjee
    Producer
  • Manahar Kumar
    Key Cast
    "Richie"
    Stardust, Mabrook, What remains of emily
  • Shekeb Sekander
    Key Cast
    "Raj"
  • Javier Jnr. Vasquez
    Key Cast
    "RJ"
  • Shalini
    Key Cast
    "Young mother"
  • Hephzibah Mulaka
    Key Cast
    "Old mother"
  • Jin Kim
    Director of Photography
  • Vamshi Krishna
    Director of Photography
  • Shashwat Bulusu
    Original Score
  • Akhil Deva
    Editor and Colorist
  • Project Type:
    Student
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 18 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 20, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Hindi
  • Shooting Format:
    ARRI Alexa classic, RED Scarlet
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Savannah College of Art and Design
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Student short Nominee
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Student Director Nominee
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Student Short "Silver Awards"
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los angeles
    United States
    Best Student Director(Male) "Platinum Award"
  • LIFFT INDIA Filmotsav - World Cine Fest
    Pune
    India
    Selected
  • First time filmmaker sessions
    London
    United Kingdom
    Selection
  • Oregon Short Film Festival
    Oregon
    United States
    Best Ensemble Cast
  • Global Indian Film Festival
    Mumbai
    December 10, 2020
    Jury Award "Best Student Film"
  • Smoky Mountain Film Festival
    Gatlinburg
    United States
    Selection
  • 6th International Short Film Festival Pune
    Pune
    India
    Selection
Director Biography - Akhil Deva

Akhil Deva, is a Director/Cinematographer currently based in Atlanta, Georgia. He is born and brought up in Hyderabad, India where he was influenced by the different stories around him. Sharing these stories has been his passion right from the age of 8. However, coming from a reserved South-Indian family, he had to earn his right to pursue film as a career. This lead him to complete a Bachelors degree in computer science technology from IIT Hyderabad so he could then follow up on his dream of studying Film and Production at Savannah College of Arts and Design. During his time in the states, he has worked on over 40+ projects ranging from music videos, features, commercials and short films. Multiple shorts film where he has taken the cinematographer's role have garnered their spots in film festivals across the United States, a few to name are "Stardust", "Beyond Customs", "Ugh","Race".

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Telling stories as a filmmaker is a way of life, one which requires commitment, dedication, planning, and accountability like any other job. I believe talent is over-rated whereas hard work towards mastering one's craft is paramount as a creative individual. If done right, with truthful intentions, with courage and care, with wisdom and heart, stories have the power to change the world for the better.