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Truth Based Stories

FROM FIELDS TO FLIGHT

Breakthrough Trust
2025-26
<< BACK TO ALL WORK
project details

From the dusty heartlands of India rises Babita, a girl determined not to let patriarchy ground her dreams. Born into a Dalit family and forced to shoulder responsibilities after her mother’s death, she gave up dreams of college to care for her home. Pushing against early marriage and age-old expectations, she steps into work traditionally claimed by men, after training to be a drone pilot to help with farming. As her district’s first certified female drone pilot, Babita transforms skepticism into pride, inspiring other young women. Her story becomes a gentle yet powerful portrait of a world in transition.This film is a product of the Solutions Storytelling Project, a Skoll Foundation-supported initiative from the Video Consortium that connects regional filmmakers and social innovators to produce solutions-focused short documentaries that catalyze positive change.

Outcome
Ipshita Bhattacharyya was selected for this fellowship and through a period of 10 months during which she had the opportunity to build her documentary under guidance and mentorship from industry leaders. The fellowship culminated with an in person meet at the Doc By The Sea Pitching Forum held in Bali, Indonesia. After its release in March 2026. the film has screened at film festivals both within India and Internationally. It had its US premiere at the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival (AMDocs) and was an official selection at Tribeca X in New York City. The film had its Indian premiere at the 21st IAWRT Asian Women's Film Festival and is currently in consideration for many other prestigious festivals.
credits

Director
Ipshita Bhattacharyya

Cinematographer
Omkar Phatak

Sound Recording
Pravin Kumar

1st Assistant Camera
Hukumraj

Editor
Niladri Bhattacharji

Producers
Koval Bhatia
Veda Shastri

Executive Producers
Sky Dylan-Robbins
Gabriel Diamond
Phil Collis

Colorist
Omkar Deonalli

Sound Designer
Darshan Shah

Breakthrough Campaign Theme
Mann ke Manjeeré by Shubha Mudgal

Consulting Editors
Koval Bhatia
Veda Shastri
Ernest Hariyanto

Post-Production Studio
Coolab

Featuring
Babita Paswan
Satya Paswan
Brijmohan Paswan
Priti Mishra
Roshni Pawan
Aradhana Paswan

For Breakthrough
Akash Srivastava
Epti Pattnaik
Nitika Salwan
Ritambhara Mehta
Supriya Tewari

Special Thanks
To the residents of Jindapur Village for their trust & support

 

services

End to End Production in collaboration with Video Consortium

client

Breakthrough is a non-profit working to change the culture and systems that limit women and girls from living free and equal lives. We do this by partnering with communities, schools, media and public institutions at scale.Through our work we are shaping a generation’s movement towards equality by changing hearts, minds and the systems that shape them.

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