Experiencing Interruptions?

A Night Off

Cassie challenges her friends to a night off the grid in order to be present with each other in the digital age.

  • Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg
    Director
  • Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg
    Writer
  • Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg
    Producer
  • Salena Qureshi
    Key Cast
    "Cassie"
    The Society (Netflix), Madam Secretary (CBS), Tommy (CBS), Bull (CBS)
  • Jessie Jennison
    Key Cast
    "Laura"
  • Nicholas Barasch
    Key Cast
    "Chris"
    She Loves Me (Broadway), West Side Story (Broadway), The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Broadway), Bull (CBS)
  • Logan Sutherland
    Key Cast
    "Luke"
    Hunters (Amazon), Almost Family (Fox), Blue Bloods (CBS)
  • Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg
    Key Cast
    "Haley"
    Sam & Cat (Nickelodeon)
  • Maria Akay
    Line Producer
  • Eddie Carroll
    Director of Photography
  • Katya Semyonova
    Composer
  • Steve Boghossian
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 4 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 26, 2020
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • MFI North Fork Film Festival

    United States
    August 21, 2020
Director Biography - Kiarra Hamagami Goldberg

Kiarra Goldberg is a 22-year old Canadian-American actress, director, and filmmaker based in New York City and Vancouver, BC. "A Night Off” is her first film which she wrote, produced, and directed. She is also the director of the student ambassador circle for Project Broadway, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing youth educational experiences in the arts. Kiarra is represented by A3 Artists Agency and Play Management.

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Director Statement

How do our devices influence our social life? Are they really to blame for disconnection in our relationships? I have friends who take frequent breaks from social media and believe in the importance of staying off their phones while spending time together, but I have also experienced gatherings where no one looks up from a screen. So how do we find the balance? “A Night Off” explores the widely intricate and ever-evolving presence of technology in our lives. The film itself is just one exploration of a group of friends who put their reliance on “the blue light” and interpersonal relationships to the test.

So many of us are striving to limit our screen time and when we do, we certainly reap the benefits. On the contrary, the convenience and purpose of connection that the digital age intends to provide can also be vital. In "A Night Off", our character, Haley, is faced with an unfortunate disconnection that was brought on by her friends’ pure intention of coming together. For the rest of the gang, the success of their experiment to be present and attentive resulted in blissful unawareness of the outside world.

My outlook on this topic changes day to day, especially now, when technology serves as a lifeline to the people that we love while our community navigates social distancing. Find the balance, be present with the people that are physically in front of you, and maybe keep your ringer on just in case.