Sayani Gupta’s Aasmani Adds Five Film Festival Selections as Her Directorial Debut Gains Global Attention

Sayani Gupta’s transition from actor to filmmaker is gathering momentum as her directorial debut, Aasmani, continues its journey across the international film festival circuit. The short film has earned recognition at events in India, Canada and the United States, with five additional festival selections announced in October.

The film’s upcoming and recently announced appearances span the US, Canada, Ukraine and India. The list includes the LA Femme International Film Festival in Los Angeles, the Molodist Kyiv International Film Festival in Ukraine, the Dharamshala International Film Festival and the Vancouver Asian Film Festival. The film was also selected for the Tasveer Film Festival in Seattle, which ran from October 13 to 18.

Aasmani Builds on Festival Recognition

According to the announcement carried by Bollywood Hungama on October 19, Aasmani had screened at nine festivals over the preceding month and was lined up for 12 festivals across a two-month period.

The short film has already collected several honours. At the International South Asian Film Festival (iSAFF) in Vancouver, it received an honourable mention for excellence in short filmmaking, while Gupta was recognised with the festival’s Leadership in Film Award.

At the Atlanta Indian Film Festival, Aasmani won Best Film. It also received Best Director and Best Child Actor awards at the Boston festival, according to the announcement. At the International Film Festival of South Asia (IFFSA) in Toronto, Gupta received the South Asian Screen Excellence Award and participated in a masterclass as a Guest of Honour.

These recognitions mark an important early chapter for Gupta as a filmmaker, extending her work beyond her established acting career.

Where Will Aasmani Screen Next?

The festival schedule reported in October includes several international appearances:

• LA Femme International Film Festival, Los Angeles: October 22-25, 2026.

• 55th Molodist Kyiv International Film Festival, Ukraine: October 24-November 1, 2026.

• Dharamshala International Film Festival, India: October 29-November 1, 2026.

• 30th Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Canada: November 5-15, 2026.

The Tasveer Film Festival in Seattle, listed in the original announcement for October 13-18, had already concluded by the time the October 19 update was published.

The Vancouver Asian Film Festival’s official programme lists Aasmani as a Vancouver premiere, directed and written by Gupta, with a screening scheduled for November 8. The festival’s 2026 edition runs from November 5 to 15. Dharamshala International Film Festival has independently confirmed that its 15th edition will take place from October 29 to November 1, although individual film screening details should be checked against the final programme.

What Is Aasmani About?

Aasmani centres on Smita, a spirited woman in her late sixties, her ten-year-old granddaughter Tiya and a powder-blue vintage Fiat that holds a special place in Smita’s life. As money becomes scarce and maintaining the car grows increasingly difficult, the grandmother and granddaughter try to find a way to save it.

The story explores companionship, family bonds, ageing and the emotional value attached to objects that become part of a person’s life. The film stars veteran actor Revathy alongside Daria Bedi and Abhay Kaul.

The subject gives the short film an intimate, character-driven foundation, while its festival journey is bringing the work before audiences in different regions and cultural settings.

The Celebrity Hour Take

For Gupta, Aasmani represents more than another festival appearance: it is an opportunity to establish a creative identity behind the camera. Her acting career has taken her across films, theatre and streaming, and directing allows her to shape a story from the writing stage through to its final presentation.

The film’s selections and awards indicate that it is finding opportunities within the independent and short-film circuit. Festival recognition does not automatically translate into wider commercial distribution, but it can help a debut filmmaker build professional relationships, reach new audiences and create momentum for future projects.

With screenings scheduled across several countries and further festival activity reported into 2027, Aasmani is becoming a significant early milestone in Gupta’s journey as a writer-director.

Sources & Verification

This report draws on Bollywood Hungama’s October 19 announcement, independent coverage of the film’s festival journey and official festival programme information from the Vancouver Asian Film Festival and Dharamshala International Film Festival. Festival dates and selection details have been distinguished from awards and screenings that have already taken place.