ShortsTV’s “Tailing Pond” Qualifies for Academy Award® Nomination Moving Indian short film exposé of India’s post-independence nuclear programme is narrated by ‘Sex and the City’ star Cynthia Nixon
Written on 20th Jan 2021.
LONDON, LOS ANGELES & MUMBAI, January 19, 2021, ShortsTV, the first and only 24/7 linear and OTT HD TV channel dedicated to short form video entertainment, is pleased to announce that the award-winning Indian documentary short film “Tailing Pond”, distributed globally and exclusively by ShortsTV, has qualified for consideration for the 93rd Academy Awards in the Documentary – Short category, having screened to critical acclaim at numerous Indian and international film festivals.
Produced and directed by Saurav Vishnu, and narrated by ‘Sex and the City’ star Cynthia Nixon,
“Tailing Pond” is an exposé of India’s post-independence nuclear programme. This short film investigates the horrifying effects of uranium extraction on the health of the indigenous population of Jadugoda, Jharkhand, East India, where thousands of young children are falling ill and ultimately dying due to radioactive waste pollution. The short film was shot in Jadugora and explores the impact on health and human rights and how the villagers are living amidst the situation.
“Tailing Pond” has travelled to film festivals such as the New York Indian Film Festival, the Jaipur International Film Festival and many more. As an independent entry from India, and as part of ShortsTV’s promise to provide support and a platform for bold, passionate filmmakers, “Tailing Pond”, alongside other leading short documentaries from around the world, now stands a chance of being nominated for the 2021 Oscars.
Expressing his excitement and gratitude, Saurav Vishnu says, “I feel honoured that “Tailing Pond” stands a chance at the 93rd Academy Awards. Being Indian and from Jharkhand, I personally took on the responsibility to bring out the true story of the people of Jadugora when I decided to make the film. I am humbled that the people of Jadugora trusted me and allowed me to enter their lives with a camera to document and share their story with the world. I truly hope that their story receives much-needed attention and that this film goes on to create a difference which was my honest intent.”
“I am thankful to the team at ShortsTV and the Academy for considering the film for an entry. Even a nomination for the Oscars will be a victory for the people of Jadugora,” he added.
On supporting “Tailing Pond”, Carter Pilcher, CEO of ShortsTV said, “we’re proud to join with Cynthia Nixon and the makers of “Tailing Pond” to bring this issue to light and showcase it across our global platform. This highlights the power of short films and ShortsTV to bring untold stories to global audiences that make change possible and give voices to those, such as the community of Jadugora, who aren’t otherwise heard.”
More information regarding the distribution of “Tailing Pond” in the U.S. and U.K coming soon.
About ShortsTV
ShortsTV is the first and only 24/7, linear and OTT HD TV channel dedicated to short form video entertainment, including films and series. With over 13,000 titles, ShortsTV has the largest catalogue of quality short form video entertainment, including award-winning and star-studded live action, animated and documentary shorts from filmmakers around the globe. Distributed globally, the channel is available in over 100 million homes across the US, India, Latin America and Europe. In addition to the channel, ShortsTV distributes a significant catalogue of on-demand shorts through video-on-demand on iTunes in 92 countries, Amazon Prime Video (UK, US and Germany), Google Play (US and Canada), and Verizon and Frontier (US). Since 2006, ShortsTV has exclusively presented the ‘Oscar Nominated Short Films’ theatrical release in cinemas across the US and Canada, South America, Europe, India, Australia and South Africa.
ShortsTV is owned by Shorts International Ltd, is headquartered in London, England and is represented in the United States by Shorts Entertainment Networks, a wholly owned subsidiary located in Los Angeles. The company is majority owned by Shorts Entertainment Holdings with AMC Networks a significant minority shareholder.
The company is led by Chief Executive Carter Pilcher and is owned by Shorts Entertainment Holdings, with AMC Networks as a significant minority shareholder.
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