Sometimes the most beautiful journeys begin with a leap of faith, and Alan Ehsan's story is a testament to following your creative calling. The self-taught filmmaker has transformed his passion for storytelling into an award-winning short film that's resonating with audiences across the globe.

'Split,' written and directed by Alan, explores the authentic dynamics of friendship when economic differences enter the picture. What started as a story about a group of friends meeting at a social event evolved into something deeper during production—a heartfelt examination of how friends navigate what they can and cannot enjoy together when financial realities differ. Rather than dwelling on division, the film ultimately celebrates the power of honest dialogue to bridge any gap.

The film's success has been nothing short of remarkable. After premiering at the fourth Mumbai Independent Film Festival where it claimed the Best Short Film Award, 'Split' has embarked on an impressive festival circuit journey. It won Best Short Movie at the iNiM Indian International Short Movie Fest 2024 in UAE, earned special jury mention at the Neo Film Republic Kochi Festival, and received the Best Editor award. The film has also been screened at prestigious venues including the Delhi Shorts International Film Festival and the New Wave International Documentary Short Film Festival.

Now streaming on Bhavana Studios YouTube channel, 'Split' has already captured the attention of over 200,000 viewers. Acclaimed Tamil director Vetrimaaran, who chaired the jury at one festival, praised the film's authenticity, saying it felt effortlessly real and captured the energy of a generation while demonstrating that dialogue can resolve any conflict.

Alan's path to filmmaking is as inspiring as his work. After completing his Electrical Engineering degree in 2018, he knew his heart lay elsewhere. "By the time I completed my course, I was sure it was not something I wanted to do. Filmmaking was the obvious choice," he shares. Building industry connections from scratch proved challenging, but Alan found stability through another passion—chess. As an international FIDE-rated chess player and teacher, he created the financial foundation that allowed him to pursue his filmmaking dreams.

The production of 'Split' became a masterclass in perseverance. Working without assistant directors or producers, Alan managed the entire post-production himself. A chance encounter with music composer Deepak Dev at a coffee shop led to valuable mentorship about the editing process. These challenges taught him invaluable lessons about the importance of collaboration and team-building.

What makes Alan's achievement even more inspiring is that he's entirely self-taught, learning his craft through books and online classes. His dedication shows that formal film school isn't the only path to success in cinema.

Looking ahead, Alan is already working on his next projects, including pitching a feature film script, directing a music video, and completing another short film script. His journey from engineering student to chess teacher to award-winning filmmaker proves that it's never too late to pursue your true passion, and that creativity combined with determination can open extraordinary doors.