Private Project

Pearls Above The Water

Three childhood friends reunite for a weekend to discuss a biographical project, meanwhile they must face their relationship when one of them shows a peculiar behavior.

  • Laura Fresneda
    Director
    Rose Princess, El Método Celeste
  • Sara Balaguer
    Director
  • Laura Fresneda
    Writer
    Rose Princess, El Método Celeste
  • Sara Balaguer
    Writer
  • Laura Fresneda
    Producer
    Rose Princess, El Método Celeste
  • Sara Balaguer
    Producer
  • Liza Vega
    Key Cast
    "Cristina"
  • Ciara Ryan
    Key Cast
    "Julieta"
  • Laura Candil
    Key Cast
    "Valeria"
  • Ana Fernández
    Script supervisor
  • Peter MacLean
    Still photographer
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama
  • Runtime:
    21 minutes 40 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 2, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    1,300 EUR
  • Country of Origin:
    Spain
  • Country of Filming:
    Spain
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.35:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    Yes - Carlos III University of Madrid
  • Crossing The Screens Film Festival
    Eastbourne
    United Kingdom
    March 22, 2024
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
Director Biography - Laura Fresneda, Sara Balaguer

Sara Balaguer and Laura Fresneda are two recently graduated students from Carlos III University of Madrid, where they met while studying Film, TV and Media. They both shared the same passion for storytelling and films, and decided to work together for their bachelor thesis short film, "Pearls Above The Water". Fresneda counts with other previous work, such as "El Método Celeste", winner short film at Parquesur ShortFilmFest 2022, and her student short film "Rose Princess".

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"Pearls Above The Water" is a story about friendship in the age of social media. Instagram and TikTok are slowly turning us into narcissistic versions of ourselves. There’s life online and there’s real life. As a general rule, there’s less awareness about our emotional, human environment. This film explores these ideas and puts them in the context of female friendship, placing the characters in a situation in which they have to reconnect with reality and find again those feelings of empathy and love for someone that used to hold a special place in their hearts.