Panchariya Brothers Wrap Filming on “Playing For Love” — A Micro Short Tackling Teen Sports Pressure
Independent film collective Panchariya Brothers Productions has completed filming on Playing for Love, the companies fifth project this year, a micro short story that offers a poignant look into the often-unseen emotional toll teenage athletes face in competitive sports environments.
Shot over a single day with support from local badminton training facility The Badminton Zone, the film delves into the psychological pressure placed on young athletes by external forces such as parents and coaches — a topic rarely explored in short-form storytelling.
Starring rising talents Eve Shanu-Wilson (Phantom of the Opera) and Natasha Cayabyab, Playing for Love captures the raw, internal struggle of two teenage badminton players navigating the fine line between passion and performance.
The production made use of cutting-edge technology, with principal photography completed on the Blackmagic Pyxiscamera system, paired with the DJI Ronin 6K for dynamic movement and stabilized visuals. The combination allowed the filmmakers to craft a visually intimate and emotionally driven piece, despite its short runtime.
“Playing for Love is about the invisible weight young athletes carry, especially in high-stakes, high-expectation environments,” said the director Matthew Rowney, “We wanted to tell a story that felt immediate, real, and relevant — and do it in a way that’s visually compelling.”
The film was made in association with The Badminton Zone, whose team assisted with access, equipment, and real-time gameplay coordination. Their collaboration helped ground the film’s setting in authenticity, drawing from real training conditions and competitive routines.
A release date for Playing for Love has yet to be announced, but it is expected to screen at several upcoming youth-focused and microfilm festivals in late 2025.
