Private Project

PIVOT

Upon receiving admission to a prestigious graduate dance program in New York City, a passionate and overworked Anjani is a train ticket away from the life of her dreams. After she breaks the news to her boyfriend Laksh, his impulsive willingness to move for her causes Anjani to question the future of their relationship. The collision between his aimless nature and her unwavering goals drives this codependent couple into psychological warfare.

PIVOT blurs the past and the present during Anjani's rehearsal in a dance studio. Her original choreography mirrors the agony from the altercation while she drives herself into mental and physical fatigue. Will she let pure passion dominate over her only pillar of support?

  • Aditi Sridhar
    Director
  • Aditi Sridhar
    Writer
    NAACH! (writer)
  • Anvita Gattani
    Writer
    Alone, Alone, Alone on a Wide Wide Sea (director)
  • Chitra Jagannathan
    Key Cast
    "Anjani"
    Any Given Night ("Noor"), Homecooked ("Shreya")
  • Dhruv Gohel
    Key Cast
    "Laksh"
  • Owen Gambill
    Director of Photography
    Where's the Album (writer & director)
  • Anishka Parikh
    Choreographer
  • Owen Gambill
    Editor
    August Wilson Storytelling Initiative (Editor), Silverback: The Trent Williams Story (Assistant Editor), Thanks To Her (Assistant Editor)
  • Aditi Sridhar
    Editor
  • Aditi Sridhar
    Producer
    August Wilson Storytelling Initiative (producer)
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student, Other
  • Genres:
    Romance, Drama, South Asian, Romantic Drama, Cultural Drama, Dance, Dance Film
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 5, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Pittsburgh
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Chicago South Asian Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    September 21, 2023
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Red Rose International Film Festival
    Lancaster, Pennsylvania
    United States
    November 4, 2023
    Pennsylvania Premiere
    Award Nominee, Official Selection
  • DC South Asian Film Festival
    Washington D.C.
    United States
    December 2, 2023
Director Biography - Aditi Sridhar

Aditi Sridhar (she/her) is a writer, director, & producer dedicated to telling culturally specific stories that inspire and challenge others to expand their worldview. Her experiences of growing up in the small town of Johnstown, Pennsylvania have inspired her to create opportunities for underrepresented voices through artistic collaboration in film and theatre.

Aditi recently graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and Frederick Honors College with a Bachelor of Arts in Film Production. She also spent a semester at the University of London, Birkbeck in collaboration with the Derek Jarman Lab, studying under Laura Mulvey. She is currently producing a feature documentary about Pulitizer-Prize-winning playwright August Wilson and is in post-production for her second short film, ALOO POORI.

Aditi has worked at Warner Brothers Pictures and graduated from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts Gold Rising Program, where she was selected to be a Trophy Presenter at the 95th Academy Awards.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

PIVOT is my directorial debut and a testament to the beauty of creating universally understood stories even under the limitations of a low-budget, independent film. I came up with the concept during a time in my life when pursuing my artistic goals felt like they were taking over my relationships with friends and family. Heightening the stakes with a romantic relationship at the cusp of new beginnings allowed the characters of Anjani and Laksh to come to life.

My storytelling goal is to showcase South Asian culture through universal situations and conflicts. PIVOT explores the intersection of South Asian American identity with the way that two young people can deal with the pressure they place on themselves. The push and pull of a particular co-dependency within a Desi relationship and through the medium of dance were fascinating to explore.

I hope PIVOT challenges people to reflect on their relationships during times of pivotal changes. And that it allows me to continue sharing my love for my identity through the seemingly small moments in a day that can alter the course of one’s life.