Mel moves to Los Angeles with dreams of losing herself in a role, but when she ends up in an acting class that is more cult than class, there may be no coming back.
Mel Hansen was living in Minnesota with her dependable job, a fiancé, and a predictable future until her mom passed away. And she decided she could no longer ignore her dream. She moved out to Los Angeles and tried to make this far-flung dream of acting into a reality.
But the transition is harder than she expected. She is waiting tables, barely getting by, and trying unsuccessfully to break into the business. When her neighbor, Stevie, invites her to her acting class with Theo Martin.
Suddenly Mel’s life begins to change for the better. Theo believes in her giving her a boost of confidence, and the class provides a circle of friends that help her feel like she belongs. Theo even offers to help Mel get acting representation.
But when Theo’s tests become more intense, Mel must decide how much she is willing to sacrifice to achieve her dream.
We use cookies to customize your experience on this website and track site usage. Please use this website only if you agree to the terms in our privacy policy.
If you don’t have an Apple ID or Google account, click either button and follow the prompts to create a new account.
Why register?
Viewers: Sign in to purchase tickets and access screenings.
Creators: Sign in to add content to your film.
Authentication using your existing Google or Apple ID makes it easy for you to create an account quickly and securely. If you don't already have one, creating an account is free.
We use various technologies to track your identity and your interaction with our content while you are on our site. Our goal is to limit the use of this kind of technology to functions that are strictly necessary for the purpose of being a festival attendee, filmmaker, judge, or presenter. You have full control over the few exceptions that are not strictly necessary.
Cookies and Local Storage
We do not use any first-party cookies on this site, though we do use a newer technology called "local storage" to store information about your identity and interaction with our site on your computer. We may use a third-party cookie for analytics tracking and another for your purchases. We do not use third-party cookies for the purposes of advertising or collecting information for use by third-parties.
Use of Essential Cookies/Storage
The primary need for our storage of data on your computer is to track your authentication status and synchronize the purchases stored on the web site, thus enabling you to access the content to which you have access. When you are not authenticated, we also use this technology to track viewing of content in verification of our right to show you that content. On your profile page, you can see the information we store about you and manage it. You do have the right to be forgotten by us, but you will lose access to any purchased content should you exercise this right.
Non-essential Cookies/Storage Preferences
There are two non-essential functions: our use of Google Analytics to help us analyize usage of our web site and our automated watch list tracking. You may turn off one or both non-essential functions. We do ask that you allow these functions as they are used solely for the purposes of bettering this web site and are not used for advertising or sold tracking your beavhior for use by third-parties.
Tracking
Watch List
Click "Accept" to accept this use of cookies or "Reject" reject all but essential cookies.
Select any one of the tickets below to gain access to this content.
Screening Options
This content is available only for on-demand access.
This selection has not yet been programmed into the festival. Check back here for dates and venues as well as online options.
At the Festival
Ladies Illuminate Shorts Block Program #8
Date:Sep 27, 2025
Starts:20:15
Ends:22:00
A curated collection of short films that illuminate social issues, causes and build awareness. Films do not play in the order listed.
ASHER BABY - A picture-perfect influencer couple, eagerly anticipates the arrival of their unborn son, Asher, as cracks appear in their seemingly flawless facade. 0:13:35
Dance Your Fears Away* - A ballet dancer's audition is thrown into disarray when she recognizes a past abuser on the judging panel, forcing her to confront her complicated history and use it to her advantage. 0:06:00
I Was Here* - Elle and Jonah are reeling after their young child, Kai, receives a life changing medical diagnosis. On the run from facing the unthinkable, they turn to a retired grief counselor, Sarah. By being in Sarah's world, they are forced to face unspeakable truths and something within them begins to crack and let in the faintest of lights. 0:17:13
The Long Road Home - Based on the true story of a teenage girl who escaped twice from a concentration camp and finally freed herself and 3 other young women on, The Long Road Home. 0:07:00
MARINA* is caregiving for her aging father and strange leaks are dripping from the ceiling. As she and her dad journey up the stairs, the leaks worsen, his memory falters, and Marina struggles to keep her wits about her. In the end, they share a peaceful moment in a bedroom fully submerged in water – a half-oceanic, half-domestic time of otherworldly overwhelm and grief. 0:12:23
To Engage - A romantic picnic is derailed by a marriage proposal. 0:07:53
The Class - Mel has always dreamed of losing herself in a role, but when her acting class blurs the line between clique and cult there may be no coming back. 0:17:53
TOTAL 1:21:57
No on-demand viewing option is currently available for you.