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Phantom Train

Phantom Train is a psychological thriller following Shehan, a young traveler whose early morning
train ride turns into a surreal nightmare. As tensions rise between fellow passengers a clerk and two
fishermen Shehan’s disturbing hallucinations blur the line between reality and imagination. A
violent confrontation appears to unfold, only for Shehan to snap back to reality, questioning his own
perceptions. His journey becomes a haunting exploration of fear and confusion as he struggles to
determine what is real.

  • Dimantha Ranaweera
    Director
  • Dimantha Ranaweera
    Writer
  • Dimantha Ranaweera
    Producer
  • Sonduru Lokupothagama
    Key Cast
    "Shehan"
  • Kulasiri Mallikarachchi
    Key Cast
    "Clerk "
  • Shantha Priyadarshana
    Key Cast
    "Fisherman 1"
  • Kasun Chathuranga
    Key Cast
    "Fisherman 2"
  • Akindu Bodiyabadu
    Key Cast
    " Sleeping Passenger"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 2 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 8, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    680 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Sri Lanka
  • Country of Filming:
    Sri Lanka
  • Language:
    Sinhala
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - NSBM Green University
  • ONSCREEN25' Short Film Festival
    Colombo
    Sri Lanka
    May 28, 2025
    SPECIAL JURY AWARD FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
  • NSBM Youth Film Festival 2024
    Homagama
    Sri Lanka
    May 29, 2025
    Best Film - 3rd Place (Intra University Category)
  • NSBM Youth Film Festival 2024
    Homagama
    Sri Lanka
    May 29, 2025
    Best Cinematography (Special Jury Award)
  • HECare International Film Festival 2025
    Toronto
    Canada
    October 5, 2025
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Dimantha Ranaweera

I’m Dimatha Ranaweera, a multimedia undergraduate and filmmaker from Sri Lanka. My journey into storytelling started with photography and grew into a passion for filmmaking. I’m drawn to stories that explore the psychological and the surreal, blending reality with deeper emotional undertones.

My debut short film, Phantom Train, is a psychological thriller that explores the fine line between fear and imagination, and it reflects my love for visual storytelling that challenges the audience’s perception of what’s real.

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Director Statement

With Phantom Train, I set out to explore the unsettling space between reality and imagination. This story dives into the psychological depth of fear, drawing on surreal hallucinations and tension-filled moments that challenge the viewer’s perception of what’s real. I’ve always been fascinated by the mind’s ability to warp everyday experiences into something far more intense, and I wanted to capture that in Shehan’s journey both physical and mental.