Editor-turned-filmmaker Sandeep Francis' short Switch Off has been selected in the main competition section of the prestigious Bucheon Choice: World Shorts category at the 30th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN). The psychological thriller will have its world premiere at the fest and is the only Indian short film in the main competition lineup.
According to the makers, in Switch Off, when a seemingly dead phone mysteriously comes back to life, it begins documenting a man's reality—and his future. As the images turn increasingly fatal, he finds himself trapped in a moment he cannot escape. Presented by Panorama Studios, the short marks the directorial debut of Sandeep Francis, the editor behind films like Raid 2, Drishyam 2, Shaitaan and the upcoming Drishyam 3.
Widely regarded as Asia's foremost genre film festival, BIFAN celebrates its 30th edition in 2026, running from July 2 to 12 in Bucheon, South Korea.
Director Sandeep Francis expressed his exhilaration with the BIFAN selection.
"As a longtime admirer of Korean cinema, premiering my first film in South Korea feels truly surreal," he said in a statement. "I’m especially grateful to Abhishek and Panorama Studios for believing in the film and backing this project so wholeheartedly—their support gave me the confidence to bring this story to life. We are also proud that Switch Off is the only Indian short film competing in the section this year, making it an even more meaningful moment to represent India on such a prestigious global platform. We look forward to sharing the film with audiences in BIFAN and beyond."
Abhishek Pathak, filmmaker and managing director, Panorama Studios, said, "At Panorama Studios, we have always believed that great stories can transcend borders, languages and cultures. Over the years, our vision has been to create and champion content that resonates not just with Indian audiences but with viewers across the world. Switch Off is a perfect example of that philosophy—a sharp, original and universally engaging thriller that showcases the incredible creative talent emerging from India."