rowing up, Rohit Lila Ram never thought that producing small music videos in Karachi, Pakistan, and having a passion for making movies would take him to the biggest stage of filmmaking, also known as Hollywood. He didn’t know anyone in the United States when he went to study at the University of North Carolina School of the Art. Ram finished his degree with the astounding and prestigious Kenan Excellence Award, which paved the way for him to empower the stories he wanted to share with the world.

Coming from a humble background in Sindh, he retained his humility. His values have been a binding force between his art and the smooth execution of his projects. Ram has produced for various television networks and award-winning films, but his new short film, Good For Me, directed by Hannah Wolny, is gaining considerable traction.

Ram line-produced Good For Me with incredibly talented filmmakers from Germany, being the only US-based producer working on this project in North Carolina. “This project was international. You’re dealing with multiple factors. These incredible filmmakers are counting on you for location scouting, casting and the right logistics that fulfil the vision of the creator,” Ram says.

Good For Me is about Julie, who has to return to her parents’ place to wait for her abortion appointment. During the 72 hours, she is obliged to think over her decision and the family has to navigate between old habits and unspoken questions. The film is nuanced and subtle and focuses on the unspoken family dynamics everyone must go through when making tough decisions.

Good For Me has been chosen for the prestigious NEXT GENERATION SHORT TIGER 2024 Programme, a highly competitive short film competition. This recognition is a testament to the film’s quality and its ability to resonate with audiences. The film is set to make its international debut at the Marché Du Film at Cannes Film Festival ‘24, a moment of pride for the entire team. It will also be showcased at the esteemed Filmfest Dresden ‘24, further solidifying its international acclaim.

“My voice, selection of projects and work ethic are full of passion and strategy. I believe in the projects I produce, especially the people I work with, so I’ll say: find your voice, your people and your stories; the rest will fall into place.”

This is a proud moment for Rohit Lila Ram as he celebrates his second film being premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, the first being his web-series pilot MASTERPIECE in 2022 at the American Pavilion. “I mean, I am still in awe; Cannes is a huge platform for filmmakers from all around the world, and getting an international premiere is honourable,” he says.

Ram remembers the rough preparation he had to undergo due to a shorter pre-production time and constant work to finish this project on time due to limited resources. He adds, “I mean, every movie has a limited budget; there’s never enough time for all the shots, but that’s the testing time of how efficient you are with your filmmaking; finesse is the key.”

It is a significant moment for Rohit and his team; his journey from Karachi to Cannes is remarkable as a producer. He’s a beacon of hope to many aspiring filmmakers in Pakistan. We are eager to hear how he wants to share his experience. “My voice, selection of projects and work ethic are full of passion and strategy. I believe in the projects I produce, especially the people I work with. I’ll say: find your voice, your people, and your stories. The rest will fall into place.”

The writer is a multimedia journalist based in Hyderabad, Sindh. His X handle: @MathraniSanjai. He can be reached at smmathrani1@gmail.com