Private Project

Helpline

Julia, a young woman haunted by her inner demon of depression, joins a helpline service to ease the emotional pain of others and give some meaning to her own life, without realizing she might be the one in most need of help.

  • Luis Lobato Macedo
    Director
    Unexpected Confrontation (2019)
  • Luis Lobato Macedo
    Writer
    Unexpected Confrontation (2019)
  • Luis Lobato Macedo
    Producer
    Unexpected Confrontation (2019)
  • Luis Lobato Macedo
    Key Cast
    "Psychiatrist"
  • Catarina Lavadinho
    Key Cast
    "Julia"
  • Beto Coville
    Key Cast
    "Director of Operations"
  • Mariana Pedrosa
    Key Cast
    "H.R. Director"
  • Matilde Bismarck
    Key Cast
    "Andreia"
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Linha de Apoio
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    24 minutes 58 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    March 11, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    750 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Portugal
  • Country of Filming:
    Portugal
  • Language:
    Portuguese
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • AltFF Alternative Film Festival
    Toronto, Ontario
    Canada
    September 22, 2023
    World Premiere
    Nominee
  • 2023 ARFF Berlin // International Awards
    Berlin
    Germany
    December 21, 2023
    European Premiere
    Semi-Finalist (Best Director, Best Short Film, Globe Award, Best Cinematography, Film Score & Sound Design)
  • International World Film Awards
    London
    United Kingdom
    January 5, 2024
    UK Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Mindfield Film Festival • Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, CA
    United States
    January 11, 2025
    Possible US Premiere (still 1 year to go)
    Best Short Film - Gold Award
Director Biography - Luis Lobato Macedo

Luis L. Macedo is a Producer, Director, Actor, and Screenwriter based in Lisbon, Portugal. He fits the profile of the balanced entrepreneur, both focused on the artistic perspective and the financial sustenance of every film he has been involved in. Confessed admirer of Sir Ridley Scott and Christopher Nolan's work, he tries to merge hard realism with intriguing imagination, adding a personal flavour to each production. "Confronto Inesperado" ("Unexpected Confrontation") is his debut feature film, in a roll of over a dozen projects he has been developing for over a decade. His following project: "Helpline".

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Director Statement

"In Cinema, Images have to speak for themselves."

"Tired of remakes and movies without content."