Living in Fear | Short Film Nominee

Short Film Nominee October 13, 2025

Living in Fear

By Kayvon Derak Shanian with 7

drama · Short Films · english

Cameron is a high schooler whose life is vastly different from his peers. With only one friend in Diego, getting homeschooled, and being away from the rest of the world in a manner that truly worries his mother, the protagonist's life harbours deep trauma, a gory past, and racist prejudices that overwhelm his existence. By portraying all of this, the film presents a post-9/11 reality and its immediate repercussions for someone in a very polarised social milieu.

The performances and writing exhibit skill and investment of thought. The storytelling is marked by an undeniable intimacy, telling a story that stands out in its coherent and vocal expression.

The development of events, though deeply disturbing and set in 2003, makes a crucial comment about a reality that remains relevant in contemporary times as well. The narrative is constructed in a balanced manner, thus succeeding in conveying all of this without becoming cumbersome or overly maudlin, while being impactful in the articulate assertion it presents to the audience.
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