Exfil
Exfil is a high-octane short action thriller that follows the journey of an ex-military operative who has left behind a life of war and violence for the promise of peace. Haunted by his past, he has built a quiet existence with his daughter, the only light in his world. But when she is kidnapped by a ruthless organization, his demons resurface, forcing him back into a world he swore to leave behind.
With time running out and no one to turn to, he embarks on a relentless mission to track down the kidnappers and bring his daughter home. Armed with tactical expertise, unyielding determination, and a father’s love, he must outsmart and outfight those who stand in his way. As the bullets fly and the stakes rise, he discovers that this battle is not just about saving his daughter, it’s about redemption.
Exfil delivers gripping action, intense hand-to-hand combat, and a powerful emotional core, making it a must-watch for fans of action-packed thrillers.
Project Description
This film was originally planned as a series of social media reels, shot on a very limited budget with a minimal crew. However, during the shoot, the vision evolved into a complete short film. Despite the constraints, we pushed forward with passion and creativity. The entire process from directing, cinematography, lighting, editing, to visual effects was handled single-handedly by Naseer Haider Siddiqui. While I have previously worked with large crews on major productions, this marks my first fully self-executed project, shot over 9 days with dedication and a deep love for storytelling.
Director, Writer and Editor:
Naseer Haider Siddiqui
Production Company:
Black Bird Films
Cast & Crew:
Starring: Kamran Shaikh (Haunted Mansion, Outer Banks)
Directed, Written and Edited by: Naseer Haider Siddiqui
Produced by: Black Bird Films
High-intensity action & tactical combat
A father’s love & redemption
Psychological depth & emotional stakes
Fast-paced storytelling with cinematic visuals
Technical Details:
Genre: Action, Thriller
Runtime: 20 Minits
Format: 4K UHD 17:9
Sound: 5.1 Surround Sound
Filming Locations: Atlanta, Georgia
This is first ever solo production and post production single handed by Naseer Haider Siddiqui for camera, lights, edit, composite, animation and drone.
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Naseer Haider SiddiquiDirector
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Naseer Haider SiddiquiWriter
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Naseer Haider SiddiquiProducerHouse of Aradia, Alison 2024
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Kamran ShaikhKey Cast"Kamran"Outer Banks, Cobra Kai, The Resident, Haunted Mansion, The Tutor
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Daniel WheatKey Cast"Dan"Ick, People in the walls, Cobra Kai, Cobra Kai Canada
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Solange OliverKey Cast"Sarah"Ironheart, The Blackening, Chicago Fire, Paper Girls, Night sky, 4400, Chicago PD
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Project Type:Short
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Runtime:20 minutes
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Completion Date:April 4, 2025
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Country of Origin:United States
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Country of Filming:United States
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Language:English
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Shooting Format:Digital Blackmagic 6K RAW
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Aspect Ratio:17:9
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:Yes
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Student Project:No
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Sweden Film AwardSweden Film Award
Sweden
April 19, 2025
Finalist -
Stockholm Film FestivalStockholm City
Sweden
May 14, 2025
Winners -
Thilsri International Film Festival
India
May 1, 2025
BEST EXPERIMENTAL & SHORT FILM
Winner -
TRILOKA INTERNATIONAL FILMFARE AWARDS
India
June 6, 2025
Best First time Director
Winner -
Majestic King International Film Festival
India
May 17, 2025
BEST US SHORT FILM, BEST DIRECTOR, BEST CINEMAPHOTOGRAPHY
Winner -
Atlanta Film FestivalAtlanta
United States
June 21, 2025
Atlanta Film