I'M KAMALA

“It Breaks the Rules. Logically.” — A Revolutionary Short Film Experience

BASED ON TRUE EVENTS

This story is uniquely rooted in the Dutch context. Remarkably, although based on true events, it is also the first fictional work to address this subject.

Film

This is not just a love story—it’s a brutally soft meditation on connection, told from an angle few dare to explore. Its script and structure are so precise, they could serve as a handbook for filmmakers worldwide.

RAVI JOGHEE DIRECTOR

With unwavering vision, Ravi Joghee delivers a groundbreaking tale—one that breaks new ground and will forever be etched in the history of Dutch storytelling.

DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

After the tremendous success of my first short film, I began searching for my next story—and I found myself drawn to a subject that’s rarely spoken about, one that is deeply specific to the Netherlands. That specificity is what ultimately made the story so unique and urgent.

From the beginning, this project faced seemingly insurmountable challenges. With virtually no budget, I was overwhelmed by logistical and practical hurdles. At one point, I almost gave up entirely. But then there was New Rootz—their belief in the project, and in me, kept the flame alive.

I tried exploring other ideas, but my mind always returned to this one. The pull was undeniable. During a one-month stay in South Korea for a film festival, I reached a point of no return. I skipped the final festival events, locked myself in my hotel room, and wrote the first draft in four intense days. For the first time, I felt a deep sense of clarity and joy.

Back in the Netherlands, a real-life event that occurred in 2024 reframed the entire story for me. It was like a signal—I knew I had to keep going. As I revised the script, I realized something startling: if told correctly, this could be the first story of its kind in the world. That realization drove me through two more sleepless weeks, until I finally held a finished script that felt complete—and necessary.

“I’m Kamala” is not just a film. It’s a brutally soft love story, told from a perspective no protagonist in cinematic history has ever led from. This narrative dares to go where others haven’t. It challenges convention, not with noise, but with silence and emotional truth.

To an ordinary viewer, the script may seem simple. But to those who look deeper, this is a mini Bible for short film storytelling.

“I’m Kamala” dares to challenge—and redefine—what it means to tell a story.

Director’s Vision – I’M KAMALA

I’m Kamala is not just another short film—it’s a bold cinematic experiment that redefines how an investigative narrative can unfold.

This is, to our knowledge, the first film in the world to tackle an investigative subject using a fully linear narrative structure. Traditionally, films in this genre rely heavily on non-linear storytelling—flashing back to past events to uncover truth, piece by piece. But I’m Kamala defies that convention. The story dares to move forward—unfolding moment by moment—revealing its secrets without ever visually returning to the past.

And yet, it still grips like the best of thrillers. The climax is not only emotionally charged—it’s unprecedented in its timing, placement, and impact within the structure of this specific theme. Never before has the core element of such a subject been revealed in this way. It is not a twist—it’s a revelation.

This theme, by the way, is not new to cinema. In fact, according to publicly available data, it has already been explored in over 65-70 feature films, around 100 short films and documentaries, including works that have won Oscars and Golden Globes. And yet—all of them followed a standard scriptwriting format. All of them approached the subject in the same expected way. When you hear the topic, your mind immediately goes to that type of screenplay.

But I’m Kamala is different. It challenges that very instinct.

This is the first time the subject has been approached with a completely fresh narrative logic. The result? A film that stirs all kinds of emotions and keeps the viewer in suspense—not about what happens, but why and how. It is hard to guess what the film is truly about until the very end. And even then, it leaves you reeling.

Though a short film, I’m Kamala follows a classic feature-length three-act structure. In short films, it’s typical for the central conflict to emerge within the first 3–4 minutes. Here, the film takes its time—8.5 minutes—to introduce not a conflict, but a curiosity. From that moment on, the story races ahead—through tension, revelation, and an unexpected climax, followed by a subtle emotional fall-off.

A typical feature film in structure. An atypical short film in form.
An enlightenment in narrative risk.

And perhaps most daring of all: in a genre where the problem is usually revealed early, this film chooses to withhold it until the end—delivering both problem and solution at once, brutally and bravely. From a screenwriting perspective, this is considered suicidal. But I embraced it—because this story demanded a new language.

No protagonist in the history of cinema has led a story quite like I’M Kamala.

And now, the world is invited to listen.

I'M KAMALA

An Incredible Short Film That Logically Breaks Every Filmmaking Logic

Stills

I'M KAMALA

“A Short Film That Defies Logic—And Redefines It”

Behind The Scenes

SPECIAL NEWS

“None of the actors in I’m Kamala are professionals. In fact, not a single one had ever stood in front of a professional cinema camera before this film. The cast is made up entirely of children between the ages of 8 and 14—first-time performers who brought raw emotion, honesty, and courage to the screen.”

“This isn’t a high-budget Hollywood production—it’s a high-concept, high-heart film powered by the passion and presence of young newcomers. Their authenticity is the soul of the story, and their performances elevate the script in ways no training ever could.”