Browse films

Ciao Bella

Mathilde Norholt
Denmark, 2025, 11 min.

In Danish with English subtitles.
Includes adult language.

On the morning of her 15th birthday, Bella tries to hide the evidence of her nightly adventures and new found womanhood for her protective father.

Director's Statement

Growing up I remember having a "bad conscience" about getting older and detaching from my parents. Because what would become of them? The older I got the older they would get -and in that sense getting closer to death. In "Ciao Bella" Bella is left with the same divided feelings: Wanting to live her own youthful life, but also feeling conflicted about hurting her father in her quest for independence. Quite common and universal teenage feelings. And if the adults have not completely erased their own adolescence hard drive, they can perfectly remember it too.

Category: Short, Drama.
Themes: Sexuality, Family, Relationships, Youth.

More in Short

  • The Inbetween

    The Inbetween

    Theo Weierstall
    United States, 2024, 10 min.

    Stuck in the land between life and death, Ray must solve the mystery of his missing sister before it’s too late to wake up again. Following a car... more ›

  • Ya Hanouni

    Ya Hanouni

    Lyna Tadount
    France, 2024, 3 min.

    While the Mom and the Dad try to put their baby to sleep, a competition arises between them: who will manage to get the baby to say the first word?... more ›

  • Mutual Tides

    Mutual Tides

    Christian Gregg
    United States, 2024, 7 min.

    This film follows the budding friendship between a Sea Creature and a Deep Sea Diver, and explores the question what happens to companions when the... more ›