Experiencing Interruptions?

I Do Not Sleep

As the end of a merciless winter approaches, a family in the rural south suffers a tragic loss, leaving their eldest child, Kitty, to rationalize her mother’s paralyzing grief. Forced to decide whether to honor the living or the dead, Kitty, waits for her father to return.

  • Beppy Gietema
    Director
  • Beppy Gietema
    Writer
  • Lauren Hamm
    Producer
  • Susan Mccormick
    Producer
  • Beppy Gietema
    Producer
  • Hannah Goeckel
    Producer
  • Grace Everett
    Key Cast
    "Kitty"
  • Jenny Rader
    Key Cast
    "Irene"
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    period drama, drama
  • Runtime:
    16 minutes 8 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 27, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    15,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes
  • SCAD Savannah Film Festival
    Savannah, GA
    United States
    October 28, 2019
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Atlanta Film Festival
    Atlanta, GA
    United States
    September 17, 2020
    Official Selection
  • Bushwick Film Festival
    Brooklyn, NY
    United States
    October 22, 2020
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Beppy Gietema

Beppy Gietema recently graduated with a double major from Savannah College of Art and Design in Film and Dramatic Writing. While writing and directing I Do Not Sleep, Beppy explored the day-to-day life of Victorians and their societal attitudes towards death. Beppy looks forward to continuing to explore era in her work, particularly using time to illustrate the unchanging tendencies of people and societies.

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Director Statement

The most important question I ask is: am I trusting my audience? All the films I love trusted me. The plots were constructed with delicacy. The pacing relied on my patience. The raw sentiment of the characters was thoughtfully revealed. I look for emotional realism, and appreciate stories with elements of surrealism and fantasy. I am exploring era in my work, particularly using time to illustrate the unchanging tendencies of people and societies. I’m writing about the unflattering side of femininity- the disliked woman. I need endings that bite, that feel both unexpected, yet absolutely earned.