Kochi-set thriller Switch Off to travel to Paris genre festival

The 11-minute thriller Switch Off, directed by Sandeep Francis and produced by Abhishek Pathak, has been selected for the 32nd edition of L'Étrange Festival in Paris. The film will screen at the Forum des Images during the festival, scheduled from September 1 to September 12, 2026.

The selection marks the latest international stop for the short film, which was previously showcased at South Korea's Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN).

Switch Off follows a mobile repairman whose routine night shifts into something unexpected when he finds himself alone on the streets of Kochi. Pathak noted that Francis' approach to building the story's atmosphere was a key draw. The narrative begins inside a small repair shop at night before moving to the deserted city streets.

Pathak expressed confidence that Parisian festival audiences would appreciate the film's storytelling. He highlighted how the movie immerses viewers quickly and maintains momentum throughout its brief runtime. He also distinguished between the thrill of commercial success and the distinct satisfaction of festival recognition, calling the Paris selection a special moment for the team.

Reflecting on the project, Pathak said the core idea was simple but presented in an engaging cinematic manner. He felt the short format packed enough emotional and narrative content to hold an audience's attention from start to finish.