Cininfo Screenwriters Lab 2025

Based on the brief below, all Cininfo Community Members need to submit the form to apply for the screenwriters lab:

1. Logline – Submit a logline
2. Synopsis – up to 1000 words
3. Character Sketch of the main characters – up to 1000 words
4. Two Sample Scenes – with placeholder dialogues

CASE STUDY FOR WRITERS

In Mansi village in Khagaria, Bihar, fourteen-year-old Vishal’s life was spiralling into darkness. Like many boys in his school, he had fallen into the grip of smack addiction, an unfortunate consequence of Bihar’s liquor ban, which had led to the rise of alternative substances. His family are poor agricultural labourers, and given the vagaries of climate in the district- the annual floods and rain, his father was forced to migrate for months at a time in search of work, and his mother worked long hours in neighbouring fields or homes, anywhere she could find work. This left Vishal alone and unattended for long hours. Besides, his mother was really unable to control or even begin to understand Vishal and his moods. Vishal’s desperation for drugs pushed him into theft and violent outbursts, culminating in a dramatic escape from school. One evening, after being caught smoking smack and vandalizing school property, Vishal disappeared.

Understandably, panic set in among his family and teachers. Particularly touched was Ram Parvesh, the village tola sevak whose job was to make sure children attended school and didn’t drop out. He’d been seeing the growing numbers of boys huddled in dark corners who quickly scattered when an adult passed. He had learned to recognise the wild look in their eyes. He knew so many of the boys personally. He also knew what it was like to grow up in this village – slightly bored, slightly hopeless, lacking connection with the outside world, and with opportunities, a deadly combination, especially for restless young boys.

So when Vishal disappeared, he sprang into action and joined in the search. He searched tirelessly with the other teaching staff, following up with villagers and scouring the railway station. Finally, at 11 PM, Ram Parvesh and a group of men from the village found Vishal at the railway station attempting to board a train. They managed to stop him. With urgency and compassion, they pulled him back physically and emotionally, reminding him of the good things in his life and promising to help him.

Rescuing Vishal was only the beginning. Ram Parvesh played a crucial role in counselling his parents (who were ready to thrash him), ensuring strict but fair monitoring, liaising with the school, and providing an ear to the boy himself. Through frequent follow-up, Vishal is gradually regaining stability. Though his journey is far from complete, having a caring adult on his side is an asset and a guard against him falling through the cracks again.

Why this story matters: Across bastis and villages in 5 hotspot districts of child harm where children live in difficult circumstances because of families needing to migrate and children being left alone or unattended, NGO’s and activists have been working with local frontline workers like tola sevaks or school principals to be a watchful and caring support for children, to observe, identify and support them from falling through the cracks.

WRITING CHALLENGE:

Use this case study as a springboard to craft a short film narrative that includes:

• A central protagonist—young or old—who takes the first step toward action.
• A conflict between what is acceptable and what is right.
• An environment where harm is often hidden in plain sight.
• A moment of quiet transformation—individual or collective.

You are free to set this in any location, community, or format—but the heart of the story must reflect the emotional cost of action and the subtle strength of solidarity.

Avoid villains and saviours. Focus on the tension, the hesitation, and the humanity of those who choose to step up when it would be easier not to.