Experiencing Interruptions?

"Her Life Choice"

Faith and Choice stand on opposite sides in one woman's life during 1940s Post War America.

  • Toni Crey
    Director
  • Toni Crey
    Writer
  • Toni Crey
    Producer
  • Rebecca Downs
    Key Cast
    "Anita"
  • Michael Moss
    Key Cast
    "Sammy"
  • Kathleen McManus
    Key Cast
    "Tessy"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 31, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    150,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Topanga Film, Festival
    Topanga, CA
    United States
    October 19, 2024
    Coyote Audience Award
  • NY Shorts Film Festival (2020)
    Manhatten
    United States
    September 21, 2024
    Best Short
  • 2023 WSXA Barcelona
    Barcelona
    Spain
    December 14, 2024
    Best Short
  • Crown International Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    November 16, 2024
    Best Short
  • Bright International Film Fest
  • Lonely Wolf London Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    December 21, 2024
    Audience Choice - Best Ensemble
  • Milano Film Festival
    Milan
    Italy
    September 29, 2024
    Audience Choice - Best Ensemble
  • Spring Time International Film Festival

    India
    September 28, 2024
    Best Short
Director Biography - Toni Crey

Anotnia "Toni" Crey is a writer, director, and editor living in Topanga, California. Her work spans several films, including Her Life Choice and The Real Lakeview Terrace (with over 10,000 views). Formerly represented by Shapiro-Lichtman, her credits include Warner Bros., Fox, History Channel, ABC, NBC, and CBS. Her short film, "Rest Stop", premiered on A&E’s Short Stories, at the Atlanta High Museum, and in LaFont’s “Next Wave Filmmakers” series, later broadcasting internationally across Europe. It earned multiple “Best Student Film” awards at festivals in Chicago, San Francisco, and Atlanta/IMAGE. She also wrote Uptown, Local, based on Jim Carroll’s The Basketball Diaries, starring Gina Gershon, Michael Mahon, and D.B. Sweeney.

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Director Statement

This deeply personal film reflects my mother’s struggle to survive a near-fatal pregnancy in post-war 1940s America. Her story reveals the enduring conflict between faith and choice, a debate still alive today. Through touching flashbacks and intimate home movies, the film captures the scars of survival, the resilience of young women, and the healing power of love, loss, and time.