The touching short film Homeless will premiere in the US on ShortsTV on DirecTV and internationally on Amazon Prime

The touching short film Homeless will premiere in the US on ShortsTV on DirecTV on May 31 at 8:00 PM EST/PST and internationally on June 1, 2025, on Amazon Prime. It is dedicated to the millions of animals who are left homeless.

Roufus is a dog abandoned by his family who finds love with a homeless person.

For Immediate Release: Shachi S. Sharma and Rikhil Bahadur of Aexor-ent are pleased to announce that their touching short film, Homeless, is set to premiere in the US on ShortsTV on DirecTV’s Channel 573 on May 31, 2025, at 8 PM ET/PT. ShortsTV, a global short film entertainment network, showcases the best short content worldwide. Their US channel is available via DirecTV, AT&T U-Verse, and other major platforms. Homeless will also be available on the ShortsTV Channel on Amazon Prime in the US and internationally starting June 1. A UK release on Amazon Prime is planned for June.


Roufus is abandoned by his parents, Linda (Evelyn Tran) and Katie (Sam van Gogh). A dog was fun and games when life was shut down during the COVID pandemic, but as life restarted, Roufus became a responsibility. A homeless person, Fred (Blakely David), rescues Roufus and finds the love he never knew existed. Inspired by the colours of the City of Vancouver, this film is dedicated to the millions of animals who are left Homeless every day.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
When I first moved to Canada, one of the first things I noticed was the incredible dog culture in Vancouver. As someone who’s traveled worldwide, I’ve never seen a city so open and accepting of animals. The bond between people and pets here feels unique—dogs are as much a part of the urban fabric as the people themselves. However, as with any city, there’s an underbelly to the story. In Vancouver, like everywhere, there are painful moments of pet abandonment, often tied to broader struggles.



This story is inspired by a homeless person I saw near my apartment. The person has a beautiful dog that sleeps under a duvet on a warm Vancouver summer night. That image stuck with me—it’s so simple yet so powerful. It’s a quiet depiction of human and animal resilience in a world that often forgets them.



They frequently tell you in film school, “Don’t make a film with a dog.” The challenge of keeping a dog in every frame, maintaining the narrative, and making sure it’s not just a cute image but a meaningful part of the story is no small feat. But for me, this dog is not just a character; it’s a symbol of the bond between people and their pets —a bond rarely explored in mainstream cinema. This film explores the shared vulnerability, love, and survival that humans and their animal companions experience. We haven’t used any visual effects in the film; our actor, Rocco-the-Adorabull (Roufus), has performed all the tricks himself. He even dubbed his own voice for the movie.

Director Rikhil Bahadur specializes in narratives exploring everyday life’s beauty and complexity. His career launched with the impactful directorial feature debut, Time Out. Notably, one of the youngest filmmakers in India to prominently feature LGBTQ2IA+ voices, his work has gained international reach and is now streaming worldwide on Netflix. Rikhil’s portfolio includes directing and producing short series for established OTT platforms and creating compelling commercials. He remains committed to bringing diverse and meaningful stories to the screen, exploring human complexities with authenticity, as demonstrated by current projects like Homeless.

Producer Shachi S. Sharma is a seasoned producer with over a decade of experience and a sharp instinct for storytelling, honed as a Script Reader at Netflix. Shachi is one of India’s youngest producers. She made her mark with Time Out, a bold, LGBTQ-themed debut backed by Viacom18 and later streamed on Netflix.  Since then, she has produced digital series, international documentaries, and commercials for top global brands. With a global lens and a passion for diverse storytelling, Shachi brings creativity and strategy to every project.


Known for her versatility and global perspective, Shachi champions diverse stories and innovative storytelling in every format she touches.

Rikhil Bahadur, Shachi S. Sharma, and the actors are available for interviews.
Please get in touch with Publicist: Lesley Diana | lesley@thepromotionpeople.ca | 604-726-5575

TRAILER & SOCIAL LINK

Film Stills & BTS Credit: Marc De Vinci
Poster Credit: Kristen Bergum

List of all countries – https://shorts.tv/en/tv