AN EXTRA DAY IN PRAGUE was my graduation film for my master's degree at FAMU International in Prague, Czechia. Co-Written and performed by my Haitian-American friend Philippe Theodore and his son Alex, the film explores themes of identity through the story of a 13-year-old hockey player who spends an unexpected extra day in his home country, reuniting with his estranged father and saying goodbye to his best friend.
The film’s festival journey began at the Cannes Short Film Corner, where it was selected to premiere at the Drama International Short Film Festival in Greece, an Oscar- and European Film Awards–qualifying event. It subsequently screened at numerous festivals worldwide, earning awards for Best Film and Best Screenplay.
LOOKING AWAY was shot in Ohrid, North Macedonia, during my studies at Ivo Trajkov’s now-closed film school, FIOFA. Inspired by the true story of Slavica Srbinoska, who plays herself in the film, it follows Darko, a 9-year-old boy who learns his father has a mistress and must decide whether to tell his blind mother. The film sensitively explores themes of family bonds and disability.
Looking Away screened at several festivals, including the FIAPF-accredited CineDays in Skopje, Drim Shorts in Struga, TIFF ODA in Tirana, and was showcased as part of the New Filmmakers Presentation at Film Noir Cinema in Brooklyn, New York.
FADE was my debut short film, originally conceived as a single continuous take. When that approach wasn't working, I found myself struggling to reimagine the structure. At the time, I was working on the pilot episode of Vinyl, directed by Martin Scorsese, where I met the incredibly talented actor Jake Cannavale. He inspired me to write a new character with backstory that would tie the entire film together, and I cast him in the role. The film went on to become one of five finalists selected for David Lynch's Masters in Film program. David Lynch watched it himself and offered his compliments. Though it wasn't chosen as the winner, his recognition was a monumental boost to my confidence and encouraged me to continue pursuing filmmaking.