Lucía G. Romero

I was inspired by aspects of my family history to tell this story. The cycle of abuse, the expression of anger to mask deep sadness, and the consequences of a trauma-filled childhood are themes that interested me and served as catalysts for writing the film.

Both of my short films started as school projects, so the medium was chosen for me as part of the learning process. However, when writing and directing them, I discovered that the short film format forces you to be concise and intentional. Every scene, every shot, and every line of dialogue must communicate the themes and emotions of the film. This compact format helped me focus on what was essential in the story.

In casting, I aim to find actors who share some similarities with the characters they will portray. It’s also important that they are able to be fully present in the scene, especially during improvisation, and demonstrate a vivid imagination. Once the actors are cast, I like to rehearse extensively. This helps me get to know them on a personal level and allows me to identify what works in the script and what needs to be changed. I give the actors some freedom in how they deliver their lines, and we sometimes improvise scenes on set to keep the performances feeling fresh and authentic.

The main challenge was the limited budget, which added a lot of stress. On the other hand, it also pushed us to be more creative. The cinematography, wardrobe, and set designs were all influenced by our lack of resources, but we managed to turn this constraint into an advantage.

Berlinale was the first time I screened something I had both directed and written outside of school, making it a truly magical, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Both times I’ve attended with my short films in different sections, it has been incredible. The entire team traveled to Berlin, and we felt so supported and cared for. We had the opportunity to screen the film multiple times and engage in meaningful conversations with the audience. Berlinale has also opened many professional doors, allowing me to continue making films.

I believe it’s the directors and writers with a clear, determined vision who stand out. Those who are deeply connected to their stories in both personal and non personal ways, and daring in how they present them to the audience. Most importantly, for me, a film needs to evoke emotion.

My advice is to start your project with whatever resources you have. Trust your intuition, make the film you’d want to watch, and aim for the stars when submitting to festivals.

I love this question. I’m currently very interested in exploring trauma, a theme I’ve already touched on in my previous work. I’d also love to delve into themes like love, fear, loss, and freedom.

I’ll be looking for films that speak to me in more ways then one, that linger in my heart or mind long after they’ve ended.

I’m currently in the process of writing my first feature film, which will explore themes of love and healing. I’m very excited about this new challenge 🙂