LISETTY SANDOVAL - PENELOPE'S STORY PREVIEW

A strong-willed teenage girl tormented from years of sexual slavery, wants to escape her bondage but, her newfound faith must be tested to break the cycle of abuse.

This story focuses on the re-birth of a victim of sex trafficking and teaches us how to let go of the past and to be able to move on.

  • Lisetty Sandoval
    Director
    The Fallen, El Blanco
  • Lisetty Sandoval
    Writer
    The Fallen, El Blanco
  • Ryan Baily
    Producer
  • Lisetty Sandoval
    Producer
    The Fallen, El Blanco
  • Jules Nerestant
    Cinematographer
    5th Man, Reves de Vie, Draggin' out
  • Julia Lespine
    Key Cast
    "Penelope"
  • Corina Leatherdale
    Key Cast
    "Estela"
    Tuned In
  • John Cianciolo
    Key Cast
    "Venicio"
    The haunted house on Kirby road
  • Project Type:
    Feature, Short
  • Genres:
    drama, faith, thriller
  • Runtime:
    50 minutes 39 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 26, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    11,500 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    Canada
  • Country of Filming:
    Canada
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital 4K
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.90∶1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Latin American Film Festival
    Ottawa
    Canada
    June 2, 2023
    Official Selection
  • Indie Short Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Official Selection
  • Rome Prisma Film Awards
    Rome
    Italy
    Monthly Selection
  • Canadian International Faith & Family Film Festival (CIFF)
    Toronto
    Canada
    Official Selection | Best Feature Film Nomination
  • International New York Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Lisetty Sandoval

Lisetty Sandoval (Director, Writer, Producer) is an independent filmmaker and writer who has a mission to empower people around the world to become the best version of themselves through her films.

The discovery of her passion for film started at the age of 15 when she started writing and filming stories out of songs and simple sentences.
Born in Ecuador, Lisetty immigrated to Canada alone to refine her craft. She trained at Humber College in the Film and Television Production program and under the wing of her master Thomas Dean Donnelly the writer known for the film Conan the Barbarian.

As a student, she produced and directed her first narrative short film, The Fallen, a short documentary El Blanco.
She has also performed several roles from camera op to switcher and directing the faith based TV talk show "Horizons" at Rogers TV.

Lisetty also has a Business Administration Certification from the University of Toronto, Canada. She has learned to use her business background and fuse it with her artistic passion of filmmaking.

That is writing scripts that are budget efficient without compromising the message of her stories.

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Director Statement

I am on a mission to empower people around the world to become the best version of themselves through my films.

The reason why the film Penelope's Story is so close to me is because the pursuit of my protagonist mirrors my personal story of how I overcame mental abuse.

This gave me the opportunity to turn my pain into my purpose of shedding a light to this tragic societal issue and to inspire others to break the cycle of abuse.

I believe in using media entertainment to motivate and inspire.