Guardians of the Secrets of the Luminara Challenge
Embark on a mystical quest in search of the ancient Luminara. In this magical 5-minute short, writer-director VFX/3D artist Arek Zasowski brings to life an enchanting world fully realized inside Unreal Engine. A surreal journey illuminated by unforgettable performances from Lizet Benrey, Thomas Peterson, and Wendy Fout.
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Arek ZasowskiDirector
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Arek ZasowskiProducer
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Arek ZasowskiWriter
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Arek Zasowski3D Artist
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Arek ZasowskiKey Cast"Narrator"
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Lizet BenreyKey Cast"Mother"
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Thomas PetersonKey Cast"Train Announcer"
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Wendy FoutKey Cast"Tourist"
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Project Type:Animation, Experimental, Short, Web / New Media
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Genres:Holiday, Adventure
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Runtime:5 minutes 8 seconds
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Completion Date:December 20, 2024
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Country of Origin:United Kingdom
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Country of Filming:United Kingdom
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Language:English
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Film Color:Color
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First-time Filmmaker:No
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Student Project:No
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Digital Cinema Package:Unavailable
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Elegant International Film FestivalKolkata
India
February 26, 2025
Honourable Mention in the "Best Short Film" -
New York Movie AwardsNew York
United States
February 27, 2025
Official Selection -
Florence Film AwardsFlorence
Italy
March 6, 2025
Silver Award: Animated Film -
Paris Film AwardsParis
France
March 6, 2025
Best Fantasy -
Hollywood Gold AwardsHollywood
United States
March 6, 2025
Best Experimental Film -
AltFF Alternative Film FestivalToronto, Ontario
Canada
March 24, 2025
Nominee - Best Animation -
Hawaii International Film AwardsHonolulu, HI
United States
April 15, 2025
Semi-Finalist -
Indie Cinema Tube AwardsKolkata
India
April 30, 2025
Best Mystery Film -
Fusionfilm International Film FestivalCalifornia
United States
May 20, 2025
AWARD WINNER in BEST SHORT STORIES -
Telly AwardsNew York, NY
United States
May 21, 2025
Gold Telly Award - 3D Animation
Arek Zasowski is a four-time Telly Award–winning Polish-born, UK-based actor, talk show host, film director, producer, and VFX & 3D animation artist.
His work has aired on Canadian cable TV, streamed internationally on Shorts Daily Roku TV, and screened at world-class venues including TCL Chinese Theatres (Hollywood), Cinemark (Culver City), Regal Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles), and Las Vegas during multiple film festivals.
Creator and host of Actors by Actors Show—winner of three Telly Awards—Zasowski has earned recognition at prestigious festivals in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Toronto, Sydney, and beyond.
Past credits include It’s Non-Emergency!, Chinese Angel, The Cure, Alone Apart, and It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere.
📌 IMDb.me/ArekZasowski | 📌 ArekZasowski.com | 📌 Linktr.ee/arekzasowski
As a filmmaker and visual storyteller, I have always been drawn to the ethereal, to the moments where fantasy and technology blend into pure emotion. Guardians of the Secrets of the Luminara Challenge is borne from this very impulse — the urge to journey beyond the familiar into the mystical unknown.
I wrote, directed, and brought this world to life entirely within Unreal Engine, crafting every element — from shimmering landscapes to atmospheric lighting — as a testament to the power of modern digital artistry. In just over five minutes, the film invites viewers to board a metaphorical odyssey in search of the elusive, glowing heart of Luminara.
This project was a labor of love and imagination, and winning the Gold Telly Award for 3D Animation in May 2025 felt like a dream realized. It validated not just the craft, but the emotional resonance of the piece — that even in an animated short, magic can still be felt.
To Lizet Benrey, Thomas Peterson, and Wendy Fout — your voices and presence added soul to the visual spectacle. I am endlessly grateful.
Whether you’re watching on screen or diving into the journey with us, I hope this film sparks that sense of wonder that first ignited your love for stories.
