SHE WHO RAISED ME

Best Female Director, Best Women Short, Runner-Up Best Short, Bronze Best Cinematography, Bronze Best Original Story at Independent Shorts Awards). Best Short at NYFA and finalist for Best Picture at LAFA.

After learning about the death of a family member, three women navigate what it means to be alive at their current stage of life, as their familial love starts to weaken and their priorities continue to differ.

‘She Who Raised Me’ deals with the unspoken. Through a multi-generational story, three women portray unspoken duty to family and the conflicts that go along with that when one may want to serve oneself, and oneself only. ‘She Who Raised Me’ follows the relationship of a mother and daughter after hearing the sad news of grandma’s husband's passing. Through three women, the audience is taken on a journey alongside one woman wanting to step into a new and exciting chapter of life, another wanting to serve, and another at her lowest. The three women simultaneously navigate what it means to be a woman and what to put their heart into.‘She Who Raised Me’ navigates the feelings of being loved and sharing love and what that looks like at different phases of life.

I think there are very few films that talk about what it means to fulfill your duty as a woman, as a child, as a mother, or a mother to a mother. I wanted to tell a story to tell familial relationships understand one another more--that we really are all living for the first time: to not be too hard on oneself, yet not only live for oneself. In a family of four women with a great admiration for my strong mother, I want to reveal an untold story of obligation as a woman versus one’s own pursuits. I believe this story will be made possible through generational imagery, using colors to reflect different stages of life, and the comfort one’s own home brings.

This story’s heart lies in my journey navigating what it means to be someone for others while simultaneously figuring out what I need to be for myself at different phases of life. ‘She Who Raised Me’ is meant to serve as a glimpse into female strength and what that can look like–strength for oneself versus strength for the outcome of holding others up. I think there are very few films that talk about what it means to fulfill your duty as a woman, as a child, as a mother, or a mother to a mother.

Being a team of females leading both the writing, directing, and producing, we feel this story is personal because it highlights just how much a woman plays a role in empowering one another and in serving others. No matter what her stance is, the woman is expected to know how to comfort and guide others, but when does she get to grieve? When does she get to pursue her own wishes? When does one prioritize their own needs and when does ‘service’ stop? This story allows us to show the vulnerability in women both young and old through first loves and the death of a loved one. ‘She Who Raised Me’ aims to ask How do we empower each other in a world that tells us to do whatever makes us happy while putting others first? We wanted to showcase how family and individuals at their score are held together by connection, what it means to be each other’s, and what it means to follow one’s heart.

WHEN A FIRE STARTS TO BURN

Short Film Written and Directed by Sophie Kairis. Award winning for Best Cinematography & Best Director.

A 12 minute short film about a student filmmaker obsessed with perfecting a scene.

This film was written to start a dialogue around the art of creating— designed to be a film within a film, telling the story of a storyteller with limited resources while having limited resources as a crew. I wanted the ending of this film to allow the audience to ponder the great lengths an artists take, why they take it, and if it is worth taking. This film’s story was inspired by the limitations and glass ceilings of being a young female director along with my hardworking classmates with big dreams.

In Hollywood Reel Independent Film Fest, Indie Short Awards, Venice Shorts, and Reel Stories Film Fest all in 2024.

Directing and Cinematography by Sophie Kairis, Camera Operator: Kaela Hockman, Sound: Emily Watson, Creative Director Matthew Dylan, Grip Lorenzo Mars and Azriel Zhang.

HOW’S IT GONNA END

Aidan Bissett’s ‘How’s It Gonna End’ music video by Juston Case

Working as a production assistant for overnight shoot, I assisted in set design, crafty run, talent assistance, building doorframes and structures, and bringing the space to life alongside an incredible team of creatives. 

THE INTERVIEW PROJECT

Directed by Matthew Dylan, Creative Producer Sophie Kairis

A man is tasked with finding someone with a story different than his.

DIANA: BLOOD RAGE

Short Film Written and Directed by Adam Seals | Production Assistant

Director of Photography: Joey Nicotra. Produced by ASD Studios.

After a tragic and life-altering event, a timid young woman experiences trauma and urges she desperately fights to control.

LAST CALL ON SUNSET

A detective makes a heart-wrenching decision while taking his brother out one last time.

A 1930s Film Noir directed by Kelly Needleman.

Assistant Camera Operator and Set Design

WHY DOES EVERYONE GO TO BED WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN

Written and Directed by Sophie Kairis.

‘Why Does Everyone Go to Bed When the Sun Goes Down’ is a short that revolves around the concept of dealing with reality versus one’s expectations.

I Will Walk 500 Miles: Camino de Santiago

a tribute to a 500 mile pilgrimage.