Filmmaking is slowly becoming more accessible to more and more people, from all sorts of backgrounds. This effort has gone on to prove that one does not necessarily need heavy cameras to tell a good story. Some of the most brilliant, artistically crafted films were made on an iPhone. From indie gems to bold experiments, each of these projects pushes the boundaries of cinema and creativity.
Fursat
Fursat, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj and filmed entirely on an iPhone 14 Pro, is a visually striking short film that blends fantasy, romance, and philosophy in a way that feels both experimental and deeply emotional. The story follows Nishant, a young man who discovers a magical device called the Doordarshak, which lets him see into the future. Consumed by his desire to control time and secure what lies ahead, he risks losing the present and the love of his life, Diya. Starring Ishaan Khatter and Wamiqa Gabbi, at its core, the film explores the timeless conflict between destiny and free will, reminding us how an obsession with the future can take away the beauty of the present.
Big Man
Directed by Academy Award-winning director Aneil Karia, Big Man is a short film shot on an iPhone 16 pro, telling the story of Tenzman, a world-weary musician, and two bright, industrious kids who come into his life by chance. Soon, the trio find themselves on a journey — one that will reinvigorate a sense of warmth, spontaneity, and optimism in the faded star, before revealing a better way forward for them all. On the filmmaking process of using an iPhone, the director said 'I like trying to strive for an intimacy with characters, and sometimes a big camera is not particularly conducive for that.'
Jal Tu Jalaal Tu
Jal Tu Jalaal Tu directed by Prateek Vats and Shubham Vradhan, is a short film that was created to explore the thin lines between agency, respect and rebellion. The narrative follows Madan, a senior tailer in a garment factory, whose simple giggle during a tense moment spirals into a larger, gaping problem of the system that he is prisoned by. The small, human act of laughing is just one of the examples of the way the workers are policed in this incredible, well-composed film. It is not an aspirational tale but a deeply humane one, celebrating the workers’ existence while questioning the people that crush them.
A Place Under the Sun
A Place Under the Sun, directed by Jason Lopchan, holds the distinction of being Nepal’s first feature film shot entirely on an iPhone 14 Pro Max. The film unfolds with tenderness, highlighting bonds of friendship, cherished memories, and the challenges of human life. What begins as a gentle story of friends coming together takes an unexpected turn when a stranger enters, throwing in elements of mystery and suspense.
Left-Handed Girl
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Taipei’s night market, Left-Handed Girl is a moving and funny examination of a single mother and her two daughters as they navigate the complexities of working-class life & family bonds. Directed by Shih-Ching Tsou and edited by Sean Baker, their affinity for iPhone lensing aesthetics in constant wide-angle opens up the film's cramped corners and narrow walkways to the eyes of a child who sees everything in nothing, and only confusion in the middle of the city. Having premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, it is also scheduled to release on Netflix later this year.
Words Neeraja Srinivasan
Date 27-8-2025