An award-winning short film screened at the 18th Habitat Film Festival exposes the rampant human rights violations under the problematic Kafala system prevalent in West Asia. The multiple award-winning Khadima: The Caregiver, directed by Govind K Saji, powerfully portrays the ordeal of a housemaid escaping from Saudi Arabia after three years of torture, highlighting the modern-day slavery disguised as a sponsorship program.

Malayalam director Govind K Saji's poignant 14.37-minute short film depicts the life of Janaki, an enslaved domestic worker in the Gulf, and her struggle for freedom. The film, which has been screened at 12 international film festivals including in California and Los Angeles, powerfully captures the plight of women trapped in the Kafala system.

Sunday magazine writeup in Malayalam language on Janmabhumi, a Malayalam National Daily about Govind K. Saji, a filmmaker from Kerala. His career transitioned from an IT sales in Bangalore to filmmaking after a chance meeting with director Blessy, eventually earning a Film Master's degree from NYFA Los Angeles and securing a Gold Rising Internship at the Oscar Academy. His thesis film Khadima — a 14-minute short about domestic workers trapped in the Gulf's Kafala system — was inspired by stories his father, a former Indian Labour Commission member. The film has since won 11 awards across international film festivals, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actress.

Janaki is a khadima, a domestic worker from South India employed in the Persian Gulf. She is ensnared in the kafala system. The short film Khadima, directed by Govind K. Saji, powerfully portrays her ordeal and exposes the enduring pains of this entrenched labour practice.

A Tamil language-review of the award-winning short film 'Khadima: The Caregiver' by Govind K. Saji, highlighting its global impact in drawing attention to the injustices and exploitation faced by domestic workers under the 'Kafala' labor contract system in the Middle East.

Govind K. Saji, a young filmmaker from Kerala, has produced a short film aimed at drawing global attention to the injustices inherent in the 'Kafala' labor contract system prevalent in the Middle East.

Govind shares his journey from an engineer in India to an award-winning filmmaker in Los Angeles. He discusses his transition into narrative filmmaking, his experiences at NYFA, and his current work as a creative producer.

A look into the making of 'Khadima - The Caregiver'. This project highlights Govind's ability to tell compelling, socially relevant stories through a unique visual lens.

An exclusive behind-the-scenes look at Govind's filmmaking process. Witness the collaboration, technical expertise, and creative direction that goes into bringing a vision to life.