Iulia Vântur shines as the lead in Joe Rajan's international short film 'Echoes of Us'

Actor and performer Iulia Vantur is set to explore a new cinematic space as she takes on the female lead in Joe Rajan’s upcoming short film “Echoes of Us”, a sensitive, character-driven project that also features veteran actor Deepak Tijori.

Currently making its way through both international and Indian film festivals, Echoes of Us delves into themes of emotional memory, past relationships, and human resilience. Known for his ability to blend heartfelt storytelling with visual simplicity, director Joe Rajan returns to the short film format with this poignant narrative.

Speaking about the project, Rajan shared, “Echoes of Us is a deeply personal story. Iulia’s acting is fantastic! She has surprised all of us with her sincerity, depth, and grace. We are more than happy to have her as our lead.”

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For Iulia Vantur, this marks a refreshing creative pivot. Widely recognized for her work in music and television hosting, Echoes of Us allows her to embrace a more intimate, performance-heavy role. The film offers a nuanced exploration of a woman navigating love, loss, and quiet reflection.

Expected to release later this year on a leading digital platform, “Echoes of Us” is part of the rising wave of impactful short-format storytelling in Indian cinema, fueled by layered performances and meaningful narratives.

“Echoes of Us” is already creating a stir on the film festival circuit. At the Independent Shorts Awards in Los Angeles, the film bagged the Best Actor award for Deepak Tijori and the Best Drama Short award for director Joe Rajan. It has also been nominated at the prestigious Love & Hope International Film Festival in Barcelona across major categories including Best Film, Best Actor (Deepak Tijori), Best Actress (Iulia Vantur), and Best Director (Joe Rajan). The film continues its winning streak with multiple nominations at Nawada International Film Festival, and was a quarter-finalist at the Festigious International Film Festival in Los Angeles. Additionally, it has been officially selected at 14th Bangalore Shorts Film Festival (where it received an Honourable Jury Mention), 14th Kolkata Shorts International Film Festival, IndieX Film Festival, Global Indie Filmmaker Awards, and Indie Short Fest, further cementing its growing reputation across global platforms.

With its powerful narrative, celebrated performances, and multiple festival recognitions, “Echoes of Us” is shaping up as a short film to watch out for.