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