Ana

A heartfelt psychological horror set during a tense Christmas. 18-year-old Alex must navigate the awkward encounters with her family and confront her fractured relationship with her mother amid an eating disorder that has manifested into an unrelenting monster.

  • Vanessa Babic
    Director
  • Vanessa Babic
    Writer
  • Tan Stevens
    Producer
  • Matthew Williams
    Producer
  • Camille Gerrard
    Key Cast
    "Alex "
    Mother & Son (2023), Social Media Me (2018), Picnic at Hanging Rock (2017)
  • Kim Denman
    Key Cast
    "Natalie "
    Neighbours, Blue Heelers, Romper Stomper, Offspring,
  • Angela Dodson
    Key Cast
    "Amy "
  • Sue Rosenwax
    Key Cast
    "Edith "
  • Peter Wilson
    Key Cast
    "Lucas "
    All’s Well That Ends Well,
  • Alexandra Hubbard
    Key Cast
    "Ana "
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    drama, horror
  • Runtime:
    12 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 20, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    7,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    ARRI Amira
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:00:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Swinburne University of Technology
Director Biography - Vanessa Babic

Vanessa Babic is an emerging filmmaker who has always felt most comfortable expressing herself through stories. While drawn to genres such as horror and fantasy, Vanessa utilises these fantastical elements to tell in-depth, heartfelt stories about the complexities of the human experience (such as mental illness, dynamic relationships and human emotion) as a vehicle for positive discourse and change.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

Ana was drawn from my personal experiences with eating disorders and witnessing a close friend suffer from anorexia nervosa. The story was born from the immense frustration of watching my friend's illness be dismissed and misunderstood. Therefore I wanted to tell an intimate story that explores not only the inner turmoil of this disorder but how it negatively impacts personal relationships. The horror elements were utilised as a way to visualise the complexities of a disorder that is frequently treated as invisible. Ultimately Ana is about showcasing the importance of love, connection and open communication about grief and mental health.