Big, Small, Scared, At Ease

A distraught young woman recalls and shares her memories and dreams. An abstract stream-of-consciousness collage of image, color, and sound, intimately woven by threads of loss, growth, and rebirth.

  • Ethan Nopah
    Director
  • Ethan Nopah
    Writer
  • Ana Gershenson
    Key Cast
    "Ada"
  • Evan Smith
    Key Cast
    "Partner"
  • Priscilla Hensley
    Key Cast
    "Mother"
  • Tyrell Etsitty
    Director of Photography
  • Ethan Nopah
    Director of Photography
  • Adensunset Levy
    Assistant Director
  • Brandon Martinez
    Assistant Camera
  • Isabella Edmo
    Sound Mixer
  • Ethan Nopah
    Colorist
  • Ethan Nopah
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Experimental, Short, Student
  • Runtime:
    7 minutes 26 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 3, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    250 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, BRAW
  • Aspect Ratio:
    4 x 3
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Institute of American Indian Arts
Director Biography - Ethan Nopah

Ethan is an Indigenous filmmaker (Navajo) with an unmitigated passion for writing, directing, cinematography, editing, and color grading. He is currently attending the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe and is approaching his fourth year (2023-2024). Throughout his time at IAIA, he has received several accolades for his work, including Outstanding Student Film, Outstanding Directing and Editing, and an Audience Award at the 11th Annual IAIA Student Filmmaker Showcase.

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Director Statement

We often don't trust the nature of ourselves. We turn to our realities, our perceptions, our dreams.

And eventually, something happens and we'll stop dreaming.

When we feel insecure and afraid, we often reflect on our emotional turmoil by revisiting past experiences that often blur the line between reality and perception.

It is during such moments of deep-rooted insights and emotions that we can discover beauty and form connections in the most unexpected places.

Because existence cannot be without reason.