Private Project

Far Away Places

A boy from the streets of LA, travels to Tahiti to visit his relatives. Once there he discovers that his young cousin is being abused by one of the locals. What starts as a summer vacation in paradise, becomes a journey of discovery and growth for both of them.

  • Tatiana Shanks
    Director
  • Tatiana Shanks
    Writer
  • Tatiana Shanks
    Producer
  • Kenta Asars
    Key Cast
    "Kyle"
    IMDB
  • Meleana Hirshon
    Key Cast
    "Te'a"
    Introducing
  • Vaitiare Hirshon
    Executive Producers
    US Marshals, Stargate SG-1
  • Vicky Cornell
    Executive Producers
  • Christopher Wagner
    Executive Producers
  • Mark Spiro
    Music
    Top Gun
  • Toni Cornell
    Music
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 43 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    June 8, 2018
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    French Polynesia
  • Country of Filming:
    French Polynesia, United States
  • Language:
    English, French
  • Shooting Format:
    HDV
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.78
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Madrid International Film Festival
    Madrid
    Spain
    July 24, 2018
    Winner Best Original Screenplay of a Short Foreign Language Film
  • Melbourne City Independent Film Awards
    Melbourne
    Australia
    August 24, 2018
    Australia
    Winner Best Actress
  • Around International Film Festival
    Berlin
    Germany
    May 15, 2018
    Winner Audience Award
  • Southern Shorts Awards
    Roswell
    United States
    CINEMATOGRAPHY Award of Merit
  • Southern Shorts Awards
    Roswell
    United States
    Award of Merit for Individual Achievement MUSIC to Mark Spiro
  • Southern Shorts Awards
    Roswell
    United States
    Award of Merit for Individual Achievement MUSIC to Toni Cornell
  • Southern Shorts Awards
    Roswell
    United States
    Award of Merit for Achievement in PRODUCTION DESIGN
  • Los Angeles Cine Fest
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Semi-Finalist
  • Amsterdam IFF 2018
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    August 13, 2018
    Nomination BEST DIRECTOR of a Short Foreign Language Film
  • The European Independent Film Awards

    France
    July 28, 2018
    Europe
    Official Selection
  • Queen Palm International Film Festival
    Palm Springs
    United States
    August 8, 2018
    Official Selection
  • L.A. Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 8, 2018
    Platinum Award Best Short Film
  • L.A. Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 8, 2018
    Platinum Award Best Director Tatiana Shanks
  • L.A. Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 8, 2018
    Best Actor (Female) Meleana Hirshon
  • L.A. Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 8, 2018
    Diamond Award Best Score Toni Cornell
  • L.A. Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    September 8, 2018
    Diamond Award Best Score Mark Spiro
  • Culver City Film Festival
    Culver City, California
    United States
    December 9, 2018
    Best Short Narrative
Director Biography - Tatiana Shanks

I began working for three American clothing companies, MissBehave Girls, Modiste Youth Contemporary and Penelope Tree in 2015. I then started my 12th grade Homeschool year at Self Design which pulled my focus more towards Photography and Film projects.

My interest for Art began when I first discovered what a paintbrush could do, but I realized later on that my passion for Photography and Editing were getting to be much more serious as I was getting older.

Although Photography is what I’m well associated with, in the future I want a career as a Director. I’m an ambitious 19 year old and a quick learner with a creative outlook just itching to learn more, while still playing around trying to find my own style.

During my last year of high school, I wrote and directed my first short film "Far Away Places" that was shot in Tahiti when I was 18 years old.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

I believe film is the best medium to tell a story. I have created this film on the sole purpose of deepening peoples understanding of important issues in life. Creating films isn't just for entertainment purposes. It's a visual art that can make you feel and understand a subject you may yourself have or never experienced before. We often grow an attachment while watching films and are emotionally moved, which leaves us inspired and compelled to want to do more.