By The Time It Gets Dark

When Alex gets pregnant and subsequently has an abortion, the already rickety foundation of her relationship with her boyfriend, Darby, crumbles. Alex and Darby must confront the realities of what it means to love, to be a parent, and to mature as a person.

  • Evan Galiffa
    Director
  • Evan Galiffa
    Writer
  • Lisa Jiang
    Producer
    Family of Too Many (2019), Wildflowers (2014), Lie (2013)
  • Quebrada Entertainment
    Producer
  • Connie Shi
    Key Cast
    "Alex"
    Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2017-2019), Honeybee (2016)
  • Taylor Rosen
    Key Cast
    "Darby"
    Tangerine Dream (2019), CMYK (2018), Hold Your Breath (2018)
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    13 minutes 53 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 19, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    11,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Canada Shorts - Canadian & International Short Film Fest.
    New Brunswick
    Canada
    Award of Commendation
Director Biography - Evan Galiffa

Evan recently graduated Temple University. Upon graduation, he stayed in Los Angeles and worked as a production assistant on various sets, from web series to Showtime's Shameless. He started working full-time with Quebrada Entertainment as a member of their development staff. Evan was also a staff writer for digital studio New Form, and developed a few shows with them. He hopes to be able to create a bi-coastal career since he just can't seem to get away from his first love, Philly.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I wish I knew the exact reason I wrote this film. As time has passed and the movie has taken different shapes, its meaning has changed. I think I initially wrote it because it's a story that I lived and that I could share.

Through the production process, it became a catharsis, a means to exorcise some demons. And now, after legislative changes earlier this year regarding abortion law in several U.S. states, as well as individual talks with female colleagues who had abortions--often in secret--after they heard about the film, our little movie has become a conversation starter.

There are a number of films and TV shows that talk about and depict abortion, but the topic remains controversial. Crew members and I often received similar reactions from people when we explained the short's premise: mild shock, unease, and/or quiet reflection.

This is a tiny personal film that happens to have a ripple effect into a much wider pool of influence. To me, it's more about these characters, their relationship, and the meaning of parenthood than it is about the abortion itself. I hope people can take away something positive.