Private Project

Butterfly

Butterfly is about Nadia, a young painter, who walks out of her home only to find herself staring back at her. Her mental illness has been manifested in the form of a doppelgänger and it challenges her to think back to the past in order to resolve the issues of her present: Nadia’s failed art career, the death of her father, and her complicated relationship with her alcoholic mother.

  • Blue Daniels
    Director
  • Blue Daniels
    Writer
  • Brooke Casal
    Producer
  • Tandy Turk
    Producer
  • Will Gehring
    Director of Photography
  • Tiara Kennedy
    Key Cast
    "Nadia"
  • Tyneckia Lewis
    Key Cast
    "Mrs. Bennett"
  • Donovan Williams
    Key Cast
    "Mr. Bennett (voice)"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 23 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    November 14, 2021
  • Production Budget:
    12,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Savannah College of Art and Design
  • WorldFest Houston
    Houston, TX
    United States
    Gold Remi Award
  • USA Film Festival
    Dallas, TX
    United States
    April 24, 2022
    Finalist
  • Venice Shorts
    Venice, CA
    United States
    Official Selection
  • LA Indies Fest
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Blue Daniels

Blue Daniels is a filmmaker from Houston, TX. She grew up drawing, writing, and dancing. Her love of art and ability to tell stories through multiple art mediums drives her love for film, as she can combine those mediums and put them on camera in order to create a visually compelling story. She has worked on film and theatre projects, including Viral: A Web Series and Cirque La Famille. She has also worked with Atlanta local indie artist, Often.

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Director Statement

Butterfly is about overcoming the loss of a loved one while not being limited to the superficiality people attribute to mental illness. Having struggled with depression for years, Nadia is a fragile caterpillar that believes her life is over until she manifests and goes to battle with her inner demons. Through all of it, she realizes that letting go of the past and embracing her mistakes is how she can emerge out of her cocoon and use her wings to fly again. I wanted to make this film to start this journey of healing for myself. Hopefully, this film can raise conversations and help people on their journeys with mental health as well.