Experiencing Interruptions?

Ever After

Belly sinks further and further down into the depths of a mysterious underwater garden. Above water, she is bullied at school for not speaking the language and already having her period. At home, her mother gives her nothing but tough love. Down below is the only place she feels free. But before she can truly live and breathe in this dark fairy tale realm, she must grow the fins of a mermaid, which requires a very painful sacrifice.

  • Helen Hideko
    Director
    The Hand that Feeds
  • Clara Maria Bacher
    Producer
    The Hand that Feeds
  • Felix Pochlatko
    Cinematography
    Der Bruder
  • Rada Rae
    Key Cast
    "Belly"
  • Miriam Hie
    Key Cast
    "Mother"
  • Joel Olano
    Key Cast
    "Father"
  • Manuel Sefciuc
    Key Cast
    "Pet Shop Owner"
  • Florian Sebastian Fitz
    Key Cast
    "Swimming Teacher "
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Fantasy, Drama, Fairytale
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 4 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    April 24, 2025
  • Country of Origin:
    Austria
  • Country of Filming:
    Austria
  • Language:
    English, German
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:1,85
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Filmacademy Vienna
  • BAFTA Student Awards 2025

    United States
    Finalist
  • Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BIFAN)
    Bucheon
    July 4, 2025
    World Premiere
    Jury's Choice for Shorts Winner
  • Fantasia International Film Festival
    Montreal
    Canada
    July 29, 2025
    North American Premiere
    Official Shortfilm Selection | Diasporic Dualities
  • Shortynale
    Vienna
    Austria
    August 15, 2025
    National Premiere
  • Hawai’i International Film Festival

    United States
    October 18, 2025
    USA Premiere
  • FilmQuest
    Provo, Utah
    United States
    Nominated for best Student Film
  • Lund Fantastic Film Festival
    Lund
    Sweden
    October 28, 2025
    Nordic Premiere
    Nominated for Future of Fantastic Award for best Student Film & Méliés d’argent
  • EnergaCAMERIMAGE
    Toruń
    Poland
    Polish Premiere
    Film and Art School Etudes Competition
Director Biography - Helen Hideko

Helen Hideko was born in Hawaii to first generation Japanese and Scottish parents. Before moving to Austria in 2010, she studied English literature in Canada, which invigorated her interest in modern retellings of myths and fairy tales. For the past 12 years, Helen has worked in various departments in film and television, and in 2020 she began pursuing a master's degree in directing at the Film Academy Vienna.

Filmography as Writer & Director:

2025 Ever After | dark fairytale | 18 min.
2023 The Hand that Feeds | Horror | 24 min.
2020 Love You to Pieces | Drama | 8 min.
2019 Ykcowrebbaj | Experimental/Horror | 9 min.
2014 Always on my Mind | Tragicomedy | 8 min.
2011 Schweigen | Drama/Horror | 9 min.
2011 Orpheus | Surreal | 6 min.
2010 Adam und der Mann | Comedy | 12 min.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

“Ever After” deals with the desire to return to a permanent state of girlhood rather than growing up—a kind of female Peter Pan. Cinematically, I decided to reverse the motif of “The Little Mermaid.” Our film invites viewers to explore the feeling of being different and the desire to simply disappear. At the same time, it shows that living out such fantasies does not lead to the “happily ever after” that we all deserve.

Throughout the project, I was able to rely completely on my producer Clara Maria Bacher, who paved the way with her intuition and experience. Together with ourcinematographer Felix Pochlatko, I developed a visual concept that is closely oriented towards our protagonist. In Rada Rae, we found a promising young talent who impressively embodies the role of “Belly.”

Wrapped up in a fairy tale, we were able to creatively address topics such as self-harming behavior in adolescence, migration, bullying, and the social role of women—with the aim of encouraging the audience to reflect. Since this is a very personal story, the audience's reaction is particularly important to me. That's why I want to be present at as many festivals as possible to experience this exchange firsthand.