Into the Forest of the Mind

Neel Soni on the longlist BAFTA nomination for his film Babli By Night and the never-ending love for the woods

- IRAM ARA IBRAHIM

Discomfort causes evolution," believes 23-year-old filmmaker Neel Soni. The itch to tell stories which are not convenient and comfortable is what led the young filmmaker to bag a nomination in the 2025 BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) longlist for his short film, Babli By Night.

"I wanted to try and create understanding and empowerment in regions where they are greatly needed, revealing the sanctuary that nature provides to those ostracized by the society," says Soni.

The film follows the story of Babban, a Muslim transgender forest guard battling societal as well as familial indifference, seeking solace among nature, and grappling with an unexpected HIV diagnosis. It took Soni five years to put together the pieces of the puzzle that had intrigued him since he was 13.