Experiencing Interruptions?

Holding Echoes

A quiet last day out between two lifelong friends, Jess and Tyler, from a small town, who spend their last day together before Jess leaves for a bigger city.

As they revisit familiar places, laughter and nostalgia mask the unspoken fears of what comes next.

As the day ends, Jess embraces the future while Tyler struggles to let go until he finally does.

  • Carlos Antonio Rios Morales
    Director
  • Carlos Antonio Rios Morales
    Writer
  • Connor Bryant
    Producer
  • Emily Kennedy
    Key Cast
    "Jess"
  • Lewis Scantlebury
    Key Cast
    "Tyler"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 48 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 5, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    1,021 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Couch Film Festival
    Toronto, Ontario
    Canada
    December 30, 2025
    Best international Short: 5:01 to 20:00 Minutes
  • Global Shorts
    Los Angeles
    United States
    April 30, 2026
    Awards of Merit
  • Athens International Monthly Art Film Festival
    Athens
    Greece
    November 26, 2025
    Honorable Mention
  • Reale Film Festival - Monthly Awards
    Cinisello Balsamo
    Italy
    November 7, 2025
    Best Drama Honorable Mention
  • Manchester Lift-Off Film Festival
    Manchester
    United Kingdom
    March 2, 2026
    Selected
  • Indie Film Spotlight
    Annapolis
    United States
    March 21, 2026
    Selected
  • Entertainment Week Africa
    Lekki
    Nigeria
    November 18, 2025
    Selected
Director Biography - Carlos Antonio Rios Morales

Carlos Antonio Rios Morales is a filmmaker drawn to stories about change and the quiet moments that linger.

His latest short film, Holding Echoes, is a personal exploration of friendship, transition, and the bittersweet nature of moving on.

With Holding Echoes, Carlos Antonio explores human connection, focusing on the small, fleeting details that reveal the most.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

At its core, Holding Echoes is a relatable exploration of friendship, change, and the bittersweet nature of moving on. I wanted to capture the kind of friendship where you don’t have to say much, and even a shared look or a long silence can say more than words.

I’ve always been drawn to stories about change, especially the small, quiet moments that stick with you. This film isn’t about a big, dramatic farewell. It’s about two people avoiding the fact that things will never be the same, filling the space with jokes and old habits just to avoid saying goodbye.

Visually, I want to reflect that feeling of time slipping away with long takes and moments of silence.

We’ve all tried to hold onto what we have in fear of what’s to come.