Table of Contents
Three Key Takeaways
- Embrace the unexpected: Valerian Zamel transformed personal loss and a family scam experience into a poignant film about grief and vulnerability.
- Trust the process: On set, Zamel learned that sometimes less is more, as subtle performances can convey more than dialogue.
- Indie filmmaking potential: Even with a small budget, meticulous planning and personal storytelling can yield high-quality films.
Valerian Zamel, a writer, director, editor, and producer with a rich cross-cultural background, brings his short film Light Bunny to the HollyShorts Film Festival.
This emotional psychological drama explores themes of grief and vulnerability, inspired by personal experiences.
With a talented team including composer Rob Cairns, sound designer John Warrin, and actors Karole Foreman and Eric B. Anthony, Zamel's film delves into the depths of human emotion and connection.
Q&A Interview
What drew you to make this film? Why this story, and why now?
I was originally developing a horror film, but then my close friend passed away, and everything shifted. Around the same time, my mom was targeted by a phone scam. Those two experiences hit me hard and unexpectedly collided. Writing this story became a way to process both grief and anger, and to explore how vulnerable we become when we’re mourning. I wanted to channel that into something intimate, eerie, and honest, not just for me, but for anyone who's ever longed for one more moment with someone they lost.
What surprised you most about the filmmaking process this time—creatively or logistically?
On Light Bunny, there were moments I had meticulously scripted, but once we were on set, I realized some of those beats were actually overwritten. A glance from Karole Foreman, a pause, a shift in her posture, it carried more truth and poetry than any insert shot or line of dialogue could. It taught me to trust the process more, that the magic on set can sometimes do the heavy lifting.
"The magic on set can sometimes do the heavy lifting."
Is there a moment in the film that feels the most you—something only you could have made?
I’m drawn to characters who don’t usually get centered on screen, people with rich, complex lives whose stories often go untold. In Light Bunny, that’s Carmen, a grieving mother in her 60s. I wanted the audience to truly spend time with her, to feel her struggle in a visceral, intimate way. That combination of character choice, performance, and precise cinematic framing feels uniquely me.
What does it mean to you to have your film selected for HollyShorts?
It means the world to me. Fifteen years ago, I had a short film at HollyShorts called Canary Suicides. Light Bunny is dedicated to my friend Natalia, who passed away in 2021. It feels like coming full circle. Being here among so many talented filmmakers is meaningful on many levels, but most of all, I’m excited to see Natalia’s name on the big screen again.
"At the core of all my work is a desire to tell stories that make people feel seen, even when it’s uncomfortable."
For more about Light Bunny, visit their website.
Watch the trailer for Light Bunny
