Experiencing Interruptions?

Dream Cycle

Two young lovers try to remember their dreams, and discover they are sometimes more than just amusing stories. Some dreams form entire worlds of desire and emotion — and like memories, can even influence our waking lives and become an ever-present companion as enduring as the stars.

  • Don Sano
    Director
    The Book of Judith
  • Don Sano
    Writer
  • Don Sano
    Executive Producer
  • Luis Garcia
    Producer
    The Departed, Beech Knoll Road
  • Don Sano
    Producer
  • Hannah Evans
    Key Cast
    "Estela"
  • Darnell Handcox
    Key Cast
    "Ray"
  • Don Sano
    Director of Photography
  • Nicholas Van Buren
    Editor
    Hellscreen, Boba
  • Ashley Kae Snyder
    Costume Design
    Looking Glass, Permitted
  • Jeremy John Rogers
    Assistant Editor
    Z Nation, Chair in the Woods
  • Michael Louis Huffstutler II
    Gaffer
    Stalked, Wristbands
  • Nicholas Van Buren
    Colorist
  • Dashawn Bedford
    Camera Operator
    Recollection, Vacant Lot
  • Anna Johnson
    First Assistant Camera
    A Match Made at Christmas, Vacant Lot
  • Evan Hoff
    Key Grip
    Time Loop, Lab Rats
  • Don Sano
    Production Design
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    8 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    September 10, 2022
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.39:1
  • Film Color:
    Black & White and Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Los Angeles Cinematography Awards
    Los Angeles, CA (United States)
    2 AWARDS: Best American Film | Best American Cinematography
  • Wyoming International Film Festival
    Cheyenne, WY (United States)
    July 6, 2023
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Tietê International Film Awards
    Tietê | Sāo Paulo (Brazil)
    1 AWARD: (Silver Anhuma Winner - Best Sound Design) / 1 NOMINATION (Best Editing)
  • Canadian Cinematography Awards
    Toronto (Canada)
    2 AWARDS: Best Short Film | Best Cinematography
  • Hollywood Verge Film Awards
    Burbank, CA (United States)
    1 NOMINATION (Best Short Film)
  • Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival
    Waverly, PA (United States)
    OFFICIAL SELECTION
  • Experimental Forum
    Los Angeles, CA (United States)
    HONORABLE MENTION (Best Short Film)
  • San Diego Film Awards
    San Diego, CA (United States)
    2 NOMINATIONS: Best Cinematography | Best Musical Score
  • Vision Feast Film Festival
    Auckland (New Zealand)
    1 NOMINATION: Best U.S. Film
Director Biography - Don Sano

Don Sano always loved stories from an early age would try to reenact films he saw with his sister and friends. After realizing that film was his true passion, he abandoned his profession in Aerospace management and has directed and produced films in San Diego (California), Austin (Texas), and Spokane (Washington), and Coeur d'Alene (Idaho).

Don is greatly influenced by his childhood overseas and strives to incorporate universal themes into his films. His first film, “The Book of Judith” won 11 film festival awards.

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Director Statement

I’ve always been fascinated by the cinematic nature and emotional power of dreams. Especially ones which entwine our memories, imagination, and aspirations into spellbinding sagas which haunt and even influence our waking lives.

My goal for this film was to capture the feeling of being in a dream for an audience. Dreams have an evocative visual artistry along with a penchant for effortlessly bleeding into one another — sacrificing traditional narrative for meanings of richer significance.

Due to difficulties related to the pandemic, this film was produced and shot in Austin, Texas, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and Spokane, Washington. However, the many delays encountered during principal photography (and both pre- and post-production) resulted in the very positive outcome of meeting and collaborating with wonderful filmmakers from each of these fine cities.