(May)be

(May)be is a slice-of-life film and tells the story of Jip, a creative writing student who is searching for her place in the world as a female creative after leaving her familiar surroundings. Portraying themes such as talent versus enjoyment and daring to fail, the film captures the feeling of being a young woman in a creative environment and what it means to be a woman in a male-dominated world.

  • Melody Sigmond
    Director
  • Melody Sigmond
    Writer
  • Melody Sigmond
    Producer
  • Juliana Zijlstra
    Key Cast
  • Noa Douwes
    Key Cast
  • Madelief Mühren
    Key Cast
  • Andrea Van Battum
    Cinematographer
  • Jesse Pot
    Sound & Music
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Zij(n)
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Slice of Life, Coming-of-age, Women's Film
  • Completion Date:
    September 25, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    2,700 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Netherlands
  • Country of Filming:
    Netherlands
  • Language:
    Dutch
  • Shooting Format:
    Blackmagic RAW
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1:85:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - AKI ArtEZ University of the Arts
Director Biography - Melody Sigmond

Melody Sigmond is a filmmaker, writer and visual artist based in The Netherlands, currently studying at AKI ArtEZ University of The Arts in Enschede. Exploring a range of mediums, from animation to short live-action films to music videos, Melody's work consistently revolves around themes related to the concept of memory, daily life and relationships between people and things. Her projects are often based on writing. She draws inspiration from personal experiences and themes, yet creates work that is relatable to a broader audience, building a link between the intimate and the universal.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The scenes depicted in this film didn't actually happen, but they also did. Being a female creative myself, a lot of its content relates to my own experiences. The film takes its time, using long dialogues to capture the essence of connection and friendship between young women, while contrasting these moments with scenes that show how external perspectives influence our creativity.

Through moments like hanging laundry and washing dishes, the film emphasizes the value of 'female time' and the quiet strength found in these shared, everyday experiences.