Private Project

Annie and the Scar

An older, newish mom's c-section scar comes to life.

  • Christina Birdsall
    Director
  • Christina Birdsall
    Writer
  • Christina Birdsall
    Producer
  • Bo Barrett
    Producer
  • Benjamin Christopher
    Producer
  • Christina Birdsall
    Key Cast
    "Annie"
  • Regina Melzer
    Key Cast
    "CC"
  • Thea Rodgers
    Key Cast
    "Simone"
  • Tamara Santos
    Director of Photography
  • Shannon C. Griffin
    Editor
  • Juan I. Cabrera
    Color
  • Jess Parks
    Sound Design
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama, Comedy
  • Runtime:
    9 minutes 17 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    September 1, 2022
  • Production Budget:
    5,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Film Fort
    Boise, Idaho
    United States
    March 24, 2023
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Film Invasion LA
    Los Angeles
    United States
    June 24, 2023
    Los Angeles Premiere
    Best Performer in a Supporting Role, Audience Award Winner
Director Biography - Christina Birdsall

"Perfect lead performance, a tour de force. She's award-worthy for sure." – said a programmer from Oxford Film Festival (aforementioned film festival did NOT accept said film). I'm a 40-year-old filmmaker, comedian, actress, writer and mother to an opinionated toddler. In 2020 I wrote and starred in the short film, Lucy, which premiered at Filmfort. I feel it should be noted that I was either very pregnant or surviving postpartum throughout that entire process (script through post). I just finished my directorial debut, a short called, “Annie and the Scar” and am currently writing a TV series based on the story.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

On July 14, 2020, I gave birth to my son. Given his size and my tilted uterus, I had a planned c-section at 7:30 that morning. By 7:46 he was out and my guts were splayed open. The night before the surgery I broke down in tears. I was afraid I would not like him. I was afraid I would regret this life altering irreversible decision. Amidst all this, I was also afraid I might die on the operating table.

As I healed, the fear morphed into new things. I struggled with my new body. Nothing fit. My c-section scar was lumpy and fat deposited around it unevenly. I always looked so tired. And that made me look old. And time, there was never enough time. My career goals floated further and further away.

I loved my baby. So much. Not in the way people talk about in movies or instagram. It was gradual. But it grew. I had this amazing baby. An adoring partner. My basic needs were met. Nothing was really wrong. But the fear didn’t leave my side. I fixated on the smallest things to soothe my fear of the unknown. A new wrinkle. My ugly mom underwear. Which pacifier is the right pacifier? I felt stuck.

Frustrated with myself, I fantasized about an imaginary friend coming to swoop in and fix me. I had an idea. What if the part of myself that I currently hated the most (my scar)? What if that part of me saved me? I wanted to explore how even the parts of ourselves that we deem “broken” or “not good enough” can be our super powers.

I also wondered how the fuck I had NEVER seen a c-section scar before having one myself? Not in a movie. Not on TV. Not even my own mother’s. Why are we all so scared of something most of my immediate friends have? That so many women have. These babies aren’t all coming straight outta the vagina!

And that is how Annie and the Scar began.