A few friends have already asked me if I’m going to the Cannes Film Festival. I don’t often admit it, but I’m an introvert. That’s why I didn’t go before — even when my ex‑producer Judy (rest in peace) urged me to. Her voice still lingers, reminding me that sometimes you have to step into the crowd to let your work breathe. For too long, I leaned on others. I was spoiled by their guidance, their presence. This year, I chose to stand alone. I completed my Marché du Film regi

Grateful to Indie Shorts Mag  for opening the door — not just to coverage, but to conversation. In conversation, I spoke of leaving the dictatorship of advertising: a gold mine without a soul. Precision without poetry. Rigor without resonance. To walk away was not rebellion, but release. I spoke of learning to surrender. Because only through surrender can vulnerability in cinema be found. To let go of control is to let the abyss speak back — to allow silence, fragility, and u

Today I finally sat down to watch Luc Besson’s Dracula: A Love Tale . I walked in with a lot of curiosity. We’ve seen the Count reimagined a thousand times, but from the opening frames, I found myself pulled in by the texture of it. The cinematography is genuinely stunning—there’s a richness to the 35mm film that makes the whole thing feel like a dark, moving painting. It’s lavish and moody, with a painterly quality that reminded me of the Flemish masters. But the real surpri

As the writer‑director of Melodies of the Abyss , I was honored with the Best Director Award  at the Paris International Short Festival and the Vienna Indie Short Film Festival. Awards are not the destination, but they mark a pause — a moment when the journey reflects back at you. Directing is often described as control — the orchestration of light, sound, and performance. Too often, control is mistaken for dictation. In truth, directing is leadership: guiding with a clear vi

A post caught my eye recently: “Making actors cry on set is one of the hardest things I usually face as a director.” Yeah, it’s tough. And honestly—it should be. You’re asking someone to open a wound. Sometimes, they didn’t even know it was there. That’s where acting techniques come in—and why I believe every director should spend time in acting classes, learning to speak in an actor’s language. Like I always mentioned, there’s no single formula. I can only speak from experie

The other day, my friend asked me a deceptively simple question: “How do you find your style?” I paused. Not because I didn’t have an answer, but because the question deserved reflection. Style isn’t something you declare—it’s something you discover, often in hindsight. Then he followed up: “Would you say your style is more David Lynch or Christopher Nolan?” I smiled. I’ve always admired Nolan’s work—his philosophical layering, nonlinear structures, and obsession with time an

I don’t want to discourage AI content creators—it’s simply not my cup of tea. But I’m sharing the following to express my existential alarm toward AI. While many are celebrating AI’s rise, I urge you to pause and consider this: AI absolutely has the potential to do incredible good for society—but only if it’s used responsibly. And as long as the world is driven by greed, humanity is on a dangerous path. Corporations won’t care about you. They care about maximizing profit. And

I was ready to book my ticket to London to attend my x-boss Rankin’s exhibition and celebrate his birthday. But by the time my ETA gets approved, the party will have already passed. Disappointing? Yes. But moments like this remind me why Rankin’s work continues to inspire, even from a distance. For many young creatives, Rankin is more than just a photographer—he’s a cultural force. His lens has captured icons like Queen Elizabeth II, David Bowie, and Kate Moss, revealing char

I once heard someone say, "The older you grow, the wiser you will be." But with time, I’ve come to believe it’s more accurate to say, "The older you grow, the wiser you should be." Wisdom comes through experience, yet it often clashes with the youthful desire to forge their own paths. While it may feel like unwelcome advice, shared thoughtfully, wisdom becomes a powerful guide. In one of our film communities, someone shared this thought: "Jumping at several small opportunitie

I recently watched Writing Doom, a short film by Suzy Shepherd. This award-winning film explores the dangers of artificial superintelligence (ASI) and won the Grand Prize at the Future of Life Institute's Superintelligence Imagined Contest. Writing Doom  avoids typical Hollywood AI clichés and focuses on the risks of ASI pursuing its goals. This approach makes the film thought-provoking and unsettling. The film shows how ASI, even without malice, can pose significant danger

I’m thrilled to share that I received my Australia 408 Entertainment Working Visa yesterday! This milestone marks a turning point: Melodies of the Abyss  is officially set in motion. With this visa in hand, I can now work on-site in Australia—immersing myself fully in the creative process and collaborating closely with our talented team. The potential of this project is immense, and I can’t wait to see how it evolves through our collective efforts. I’m ready to bring every ou

I spent my weekend engrossed in the film "Anora." If you were to ask me whether I see it as an Oscar contender for Best Picture, Cinematography, Editing, or Writing, I would say I'm not entirely sure about the Editing or Writing. However, I absolutely loved every second of its visual artistry. As I watched, I couldn't help but think, "This is exactly the vision I had for my upcoming project." It's fascinating how a piece of art can resonate so deeply with your own creative as

Just now, I watched a short film that defies the ordinary—it was nothing short of perfection. The title, “Over the Board”, hints at its uniqueness, setting the stage for a narrative that's profoundly moving. The story revolves around twin brothers, Eric and Ian, who meet for the first time under unusual circumstances. These siblings, portrayed by real-life twins Elijah Shane Bell and Isaac Bell, are brought to life with compelling authenticity. Elijah, as Eric, and Isaac, as

Yesterday, we said goodbye to a true legend. David Lynch, the filmmaker whose unique vision and creativity left a lasting mark on the world of cinema, has passed away at the age of 78. His storytelling transported us to surreal and unforgettable realms, inviting us to explore the unknown. Thank you, David, for the art, mystery, and worlds you created. Your legacy will endure in every frame and in the hearts of those you've inspired. Your work's impact will resonate with audie

In today's fast-paced digital age, technology has permeated every aspect of our lives, including the world of storytelling. After sharing my thoughts on someone's LinkedIn post, I began to reflect on my own stance. I firmly believe that technology should not be seen as an enemy but as a powerful tool to help us embrace and enhance our stories. However, the advent of AI has brought about a new trend among Gen Z creators—churning out what I can only describe as no-brain "conten

Looking back, I’m grateful that my past has shaped who I am today, but I often wish I had spent more time studying. Maybe then, I’d be able to express myself more fluently and quickly, especially in writing. I was one of those students who couldn’t stand reading—I’d see the alphabets flying around like aimless butterflies, lost in the mist. Because of this, I hid from books, making me a slower reader and writer. Discovering Life's Unexpected Passions Through Reflection Howeve

I was asked the other day how to become a successful cinematographer, also known as a Director of Photography (DOP). For clarity, let’s refer to this role as "DOP" from now on. While I’m not a DOP myself, I can share some insights from a writer-director’s perspective. First, let’s understand what DOP is.   DOP is the art and science of capturing visual images for film and television. It involves the strategic use of camera techniques, lighting, framing, and composition to tel

At first glance, the roles of TV commercial directors and film directors might seem similar, but they come with very different challenges and skill sets. Here’s my breakdown of why transitioning from commercials to film can be tricky. TV commercial directors are masters of brevity. Their job is to craft short, eye-catching ads that grab attention and communicate a brand’s message in seconds. Because of this, commercials prioritize the product or service, often at the expense

Well, there are plenty of answers out there, and here is one of mine. Directing is an art and a craft that requires a blend of creativity, leadership, and quick thinking. Besides just being a storyteller, being a director means you're constantly bombarded with questions throughout the entire filmmaking process. It's a non-stop decision-making marathon. Quick, decisive, and cohesive decision-making is key. I've realized many directors, especially young ones, struggle to make c

Martin Scorsese once said: "Cinema is a matter of what’s in the frame and what’s out." Here was my answer: First thing, get good at storytelling because it's the core of your job. The best way is by learning to write screenplays. Next, work on your communication skills, since film production is all about talking and listening. Write, then grab a camera—NOT a cell phone (you'll learn more, including lighting, with a camera than with a phone, which can be too perfect nowadays a