With its haunting tenderness and piercing humanity, Holy Curse has emerged as one of the most anticipated shorts in the 2026 Oscar® race, and for good reason. Directed by rising talent Snigdha Kapoor, this powerful work of art transcends the limits of short-form storytelling to deliver something intimate yet monumental. It’s a film that doesn’t simply tell a story; it restores dignity to the act of storytelling itself.

Set against the dual landscapes of India and diaspora identity, Holy Curse follows 11-year-old Radha, whose discovery of self collides with a world bound by ritual and social conformity. The plot could have easily fallen into the well-trodden traps of issue-based cinema, yet Kapoor elevates it into pure emotional poetry. Her direction, assured yet delicate, evokes the sensibilities of Céline Sciamma’s Tomboy and Deepa Mehta’s Fire, while remaining uniquely her own rooted in South Asian cultural nuance but resonant to anyone who has ever felt unseen.

The cinematography by Juhi Sharma is simply breathtaking. Each frame feels like a painting charged with meaning; smoke from incense curling through sunlight, temple bells echoing through a child’s fear, the quiet beauty of rebellion found in a defiant gaze. Anadi Athaley’s editing is masterful, guiding the viewer through time and memory like a prayer.

What gives the film additional gravitas is the involvement of Lilly Singh as Executive Producer. Singh’s presence underscores the film’s growing awards momentum, while her advocacy for underrepresented voices aligns perfectly with Kapoor’s intent. In Hollywood, where representation often becomes a buzzword, Holy Curse feels refreshingly earned  an authentic depiction of queerness and cultural identity that refuses tokenism.

Already celebrated across the festival circuit, from its Best Short Film win at Tasveer to the Grand Jury Prize at IFFLA and accolades from Flickerfest and Reeling Chicago LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Holy Curse stands as a testament to the global appetite for stories that merge specificity with universality.

It’s not just a film to watch. It’s one to feel, to reflect upon, and to celebrate. Kapoor has crafted a work of emotional precision and political courage that is destined to stand tall on Oscar night.

Sofia DeSorbo