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Angry Lily

A disoriented young woman wakes inside a hidden, windowless facility and is forced into a brutal fight for survival after discovering she’s trapped in a human trafficking operation run by a powerful criminal network.

  • Arman Sayat
    Director
  • Arman Sayat
    Writer
  • Ayaulym Sayat
    Producer
  • Deuce Jones
    Producer
  • Aidana Kassymkhanova
    Key Cast
    "Lily"
  • Anastasiia Ovsiienko
    Key Cast
    "Anna"
  • Raul San Martin
    Key Cast
    "Ricardo Hernandez"
  • Jhett Brown
    Key Cast
    "Dr Thomas Walker"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Thriller, Drama
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 32 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 27, 2026
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Kazakhstan
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Russian, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:39
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - New York Film Academy
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
Director Biography - Arman Sayat

Arman Sayat, a visionary filmmaker hailing from Kazakhstan, has meticulously navigated his journey through the dynamic landscapes of storytelling and cinema. born in 1995 amidst the post-soviet transformations of his homeland.

A pivotal moment in his career materialized during a pandemic, where a mini internet series propelled his short film "Ink" to a finalist position at a film festival. This success marked a turning point, propelling arman towards impactful storytelling and addressing social issues.

As a filmmaker, Arman’s recent projects have garnered acclaim, with numerous submissions to festivals underway.

In addition to his thriving career, Arman actively experiments with various genres, infusing each project with a unique character. His latest project, "Mr. Nightmare," within the thriller/horror genre, has left a lasting impression during screenings, with preparations underway for prestigious film festival submissions.

Arman’s involvement in the filmmaking process extends beyond the director's chair, collaborating closely with the director of photography and contributing to various aspects of production. noteworthy projects, such as "On the Other Side of the Road," where arman served as the screenwriter and director of photography, are captivating audiences at film festivals.

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Director Statement

Angry Lily is a survival story told through the body and memory of a young woman forced into the most extreme circumstances. From the moment Lily awakens, disoriented and stripped of control, the film places the audience inside her experience—where fear, instinct, and the will to survive become inseparable.

Lily is not just a character; she is a reflection of countless real women whose stories are rarely seen or fully understood. Her journey is shaped by violence, but the film is not about violence itself—it is about what remains after it: resilience, defiance, and the refusal to disappear. Through her, I wanted to explore how a person transforms under pressure, how survival becomes an act of resistance.

The world of the film is intentionally claustrophobic and disorienting, mirroring the psychological state of those trapped within systems of exploitation and abuse. While the narrative unfolds as a tense, contained thriller, its roots are deeply personal and political. It draws from stories I have encountered—of women facing domestic violence, systemic neglect, and the silent normalization of their suffering.

As an immigrant in the United States, I have also witnessed the harsh realities faced by those crossing borders in search of safety and dignity. The film subtly intersects with these experiences, reflecting a world where vulnerability is often exploited, and where survival itself becomes a dangerous journey. These elements are not presented as statements, but as textures within Lily’s reality—inescapable, oppressive, and real.

My intention was not to create a film that explains, but one that immerses. A film that places the audience inside Lily’s perspective, forcing them to feel rather than observe. The tension, the violence, and the silence are all tools to bring us closer to her truth.

Ultimately, Angry Lily is about reclaiming agency. It is about a woman who refuses to remain a victim, even in a world designed to break her. And in that refusal, there is something powerful—something that speaks not only to survival, but to the possibility of change.