Experiencing Interruptions?

Love Yourself First

The story unfolds in a library where Alyssa, seeking solace, discovers a mysterious book titled "How to achieve your dream life." While reading, she stumbles upon a card with instructions to enter a dream world by whispering a wish before sleeping. Alyssa follows the instructions, finding herself in a dark room and eventually a beautiful field. However, her dream turns unsettling when a man named Chase appears, claiming to have been waiting for her. Alyssa tries to escape but is caught by Chase, who pleads for companionship. In a struggle, she uses a key to return to the library. Back in reality, Alyssa finds a new book, "Love yourself first," realising the key to fulfilment lies within. The story explores themes of self-love, escaping toxic relationships, and finding strength within oneself.

  • 8B8 Entertainment
    Production Company
  • Melfin Pereira
    Director
  • Melfin Pereira
    Writer
  • Samuel James Thomson
    Producer
  • Marc Nickl
    Director of Photography
  • Charlotte Roche
    Character: Alyssa
  • Byron Donovan
    Character: Chase
  • Kaja Jedrak
    Production Designer
  • Jamie Drayton
    Sound Recordist
  • Cameron Fernandes
    Sound Designer
  • Ran You
    1st AD
  • Qinglong Liu
    1st AC
  • Juliano Hassoun
    Editor
  • Marc Nickl
    Colourist
  • Noah Downs-Brown
    Boom Operators
  • Juliano Hassoun
    Boom Operators
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Thriller, Self Love, Coming age, Self discovery, fantasy, psychological thriller
  • Runtime:
    14 minutes 33 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    October 27, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital (sony)
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University For The Creative Arts
Director Biography - Melfin Pereira

Melfin Jenifer Pereira is an 21 year old Indian British writer and director who graduated from University for the Creative Arts with a First Class Honors.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"Love Yourself First" marks my first go at writing and directing, a project that means a lot to me. The idea for this short film came to me unexpectedly one night while I was scrolling through TikTok. I noticed a worrying trend – young teenagers getting into dark magic spells on the platform. What struck me was how some found it cool, while others were struggling and looking for help without any guidance on how to undo the consequences.

This discovery pushed me to create "Love Yourself First." I wanted to highlight the dangers of easily available information on social media, luring people into things without showing the potential problems. Like our main character, Alyssa, who gets drawn in by the promise of happiness on a magic card but doesn't see the lurking shadows, the film shows how easy it is to make quick decisions without understanding the consequences.

Beyond the cautionary tale about social media, "Love Yourself First" also talks about self-love. Alyssa's inner struggles reflect a common problem – wanting love but also needing time alone. The film emphasises the importance of accepting and understanding yourself.

In the end, "Love Yourself First" is a call to be careful and do proper research before trying new things. It reminds us that, in a world full of information, we need knowledge and good judgment. This not only helps us navigate the digital world but also improves how we approach life, encouraging a deep sense of self-love.

I hope this film connects with you on a personal level. I invite you to join me in spreading the message that loving yourself comes first. As the director and writer, I've put my own experiences into the story. Alyssa's struggles with friends, relationships, and insecurities mirror my own experiences in different ways. Through these shared elements, the film becomes a way for everyone to think and embrace the important idea of "Love Yourself First."