Sagi Sree Hari Varma, director of ‘Signal’, which won the Best International Short Mini Award at the SF3 Sydney Film Festival, is also seen with festival director Angela Blake. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT
Written and directed by Visakhapatnam-based Sagi Sree Hari Varma, the Italian sci-fi horror short film ‘Signal’ won the Best International Short Mini Award at the SF3 Film Festival in Sydney, Australia. ‘Signal’ stood out among 400 qualified entries from around the world.
The short film, shot entirely in Italy, has previously won four awards at the “Cinemadamare” festival in July 2025. Originally conceived as a “proof of concept” for a feature-length project, the short film has received widespread acclaim. “I am thrilled to see ‘Signal’ receiving appreciation from audiences across the globe. The reception we have had at the screenings has exceeded my wildest expectations and has given me immense confidence to move forward,” Mr Sree Hari Varma told The Hindu on Wednesday (February 4).
Buoyed by the short film’s huge success, he announced plans to develop the concept into a full-length feature film, promising to expand his unique brand of sci-fi horror to a global audience. The director expressed his deep gratitude to his parents, family and friends for their unwavering support and gave special thanks to SF3 Festival Director Angela Blake for her support throughout his journey.
The film festival hosted screenings in various categories at the renowned Sydney Opera House and the iconic Palace Chauvel Cinema. SF3 boasts a panel of industry titans, including top directors, producers and cinematographers from Australia, America and Africa. The festival also features esteemed ambassadors such as legendary filmmakers Phillip Noyce and Pieter De Vries.
The film has also received accolades from prominent Hollywood directors Ted Melfi and Tarsem Singh in the past.
Sree Hari Varma expressed his gratitude to his parents SVSN Raju, Executive Engineer, Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) and Sagi Anuradha, a housewife, for their constant support.
Sree Hari Varma plans to screen ‘Signal’ in Los Angeles in a few months and is optimistic that it will receive wide acclaim there as well.
Published – 04 Feb 2026 20:41 IST
