Ayesha Khan
Directing
Biography
Ayesha Khan is a film director, animator, poet, and oil painter. Her narrative and documentary films such as To the Surface (2023) and The Carpet Cellar (2024) explore lives of artists and craftspeople and her animation films like Imaging House (2024) and Reported Speech (2025) are recognized for their use of traditional painting techniques and their dreamlike quality.
Known For
A group of girls are tasked with putting snakes to sleep before they can leave a cabin in the mountain. As they sing to the snakes, their thoughts unravel. This animated short film explores the sensory and perceptual alterations disabled individuals experience, impacting their understanding and interactions with the environment around them.
Imaging House
It is autumn in New York. Mia, a daydreamer in her early 20s, finds herself drawn to a cozy bookstore by Anto, a whimsical bookshop clerk. Their warm and lighthearted encounter sparks an unexpected connection, prompting Mia to confront her feelings and uncertainties. Over the following weeks, she frequently passes by the bookstore, struggling with her newfound emotions. Eventually, Mia musters the courage to reconnect with Anto, setting the stage for their next chapter, together.
Between The Lines
A short documentary that follows a teenage girl determined to rescue birds.
The Aviary
Essay-style animation film exploring the in-between state of a sick body— where one is both waiting to transcend the body and also trying to latch onto worldly desires.
Reported Speech
Psychological drama following a young dancer.
Periphery
An uninspired artist goes on a journey and returns with an image.