Fantasy Comedy Short Dreamboat Set for World Premiere at Dharamshala Film Fest

Director Aastha Tiku is ready to debut her new 24-minute fantasy comedy film titled Dreamboat. The movie will hold its global premiere at the upcoming Dharamshala International Film Festival, which runs across four days in late autumn, specifically opening on October 29 and closing on November 1, 2026.

The Plot

The story centers on an underground musician who shares an unusual bond with a cherished pillow. Her life takes a turn when her mother disrupts this routine, forcing the protagonist to walk across Mumbai on a bizarre trip. During this outing, her personal relationships, goals, and grip on reality begin to shift. The left-behind pillow soon wakes up with a mind of its own, bringing a surreal touch to the narrative as the main character hunts for affection in a strange urban setting.

Cast And Crew

Tiku wrote and directed the project, drawing inspiration from a nighttime vision she spent months turning into a script. She previously wrote the 2021 feature Sherni. National Award-winning filmmaker Amit Masurkar co-produced the short alongside the director. Masurkar praised the unique concept and style, which mixes pop culture, music, and bold colors. Rapper, activist, and artist Sofia Ashraf makes her main acting debut in the project, known earlier for her protest track Kodaikanal Won't. The ensemble also includes digital creator Supriya Joshi, Tenzin Dalha, Prayrak Mehta, Moses Koul, and Gurpal Singh. Following this release, Tiku plans to start filming her first full-length feature movie as a director in 2027.

Context

Independent cinema often relies on film festivals like this one to find audiences and build momentum before wider releases. Directors frequently use short films to test creative ideas before moving on to larger feature productions.