Experiencing Interruptions?

Say My Name

A violated girl is trapped in an underworld of shame. As a child, she was exploited by her father and his friends, and then thrown to the streets as a vulnerable teenager. Despite life going against Mel at every turn, she is determined to see the good in people and find hope before her past catches up with her.

Created by Mel Baker based on her book Sleeping Under the Bridge about Mel's younger life story. Book 2, Building the Bridge - new release January 2026.

  • Rhoyce Nova
    Director
  • Rhoyce Nova
    Writer
  • Mel Baker
    Writer
  • Mel Baker
    Producer
    The Healing documentary
  • Quinn Alice
    Key Cast
    "Mel"
  • James Ryan
    Key Cast
    "Dad"
  • Jarrah Webster
    Key Cast
    "Liz"
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Genres:
    Narrative, true-story, gritty, poetic, Experimental
  • Completion Date:
    April 17, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    1.66:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • 100 Films Retreat #2
    Southern California
    United States
    August 12, 2023
    World Premiere
    Nominee for Best Short Film
  • Voices Rising Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    October 15, 2023
    New York Premiere
    Honourable Mention for Best Short
  • IndieFEST Film Awards
    California
    United States
    Award of Merit for Women Filmmakers
  • IndieFEST Film Awards
    California
    United States
    Award of Recognition for Awareness Raising
  • One-Reeler Short Film Competition
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Award of Merit for Best Short Film
  • Crown Point International Film Festival
    Chicago
    United States
    Best Narrative Short and Best 1st time Director Short
  • Swedish International Film Festival
    Arvika
    Sweden
    Winner Best 1st time Filmmaker
  • 4theatre selection

    Best Woman Empowerment
  • Dubai International Cine Carnival
    Dubai
    Creative Genius Award 2024, Best International Short Film
  • Robinson Film Awards

    Italy
    Best Screenplay
  • Reale Film bimonthly awards

    Italy
    Best Actor/Actress
  • Festigious monthly comp
    LA
    United States
    Best Narrative Short, Best Director and Top 10 Screenplays
  • Short Film Slam MadLab
    Philadephia
    United States
    January 10, 2024
    Philadelphia Premiere
    Top 10
  • WRPN.TV Women's International Film Festival
    Delaware
    United States
    Exceptional Merit Tight Shorts
  • Best Damn Film Awards
    Atlanta
    United States
    Best International Film and Best Drama
  • 8 and a Halfilm awards

    Italy
    Best Narrative Short
  • Liber International Film Festival

    Greece
    Best Drama, Best Director, Best Trailer, Best Poster
  • American Dreamscreen Film Festival

    United States
    Best Social Impact Film
  • Titan International Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    Best Australian Film
  • Travancore International Film Awards

    India
    Best Artistic Short Film, Best Debut Short Film, Best Narrative Short Film and Best Talented Filmmaker
  • Phuket International Film Festival
    Phuket
    Thailand
    Master of the Screen Award 2024, Best Women's Film
  • International Network Film Festival Australian Focus

    Australia
    Best Narrative Short, Best Poetry Film, Best Cast and Best Indie Filmmakers
  • West Dallas Film Festival
    Dallas, Texas
    United States
    January 22, 2024
    Texas Premiere
    People's Choice Award, Best Narrative Short and Best Actress
  • SydFest Independent Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    June 9, 2024
    Australian Premiere
    Best Awareness Award
  • Special Edition in Cannes 2024
    Cannes
    France
    Indie Author of the Year 2024, Best Poetic Drama, Best Arthouse Indie Short Film, Best International First Time Director, Best Original Screenwriters
  • Newyorker Indie Critics' Choice Award 2024
    New York
    United States
    Best Poetic Drama, Best Arthouse Indie Short Film, Best International First Time Director, Best Original Screenwriters
  • Black Owl Film Festival

    Turkey
    Best Inspirational Film
  • Colossus Film Festival

    France
    Best Drama
  • International Film Talent Awards

    Italy
    Best Narrative Short, Best Real Event Based Film, Best Screenplay Writers of the Year
  • Creative Vision Film Festival

    Greece
    Best Director
  • American Film Market Las Vegas

    United States
    Best Narrative Short, Best Filmmakers, Best Arthouse Cinematography
  • Australian Film Critics Award

    Australia
    Best Arthouse Short, Best Filmmakers, Best Cinematography, Best Casting Director, Best Independent Author of 2024
  • Wild Filmmaker

    Italy
    Best International Short, Best Cinematic Project of the Year 2024
  • City of God Film Festival

    Best International Short, Best Cinematographer, Best Production Company, Best Casting Director
  • The Dark Side of the Cinema Film Fest
    Amsterdam
    Netherlands
    Best Indie Narrative Short, Best Short Script, Best Original Cast, Best Indie Cinematographer
  • Diario Italiano Film Festival
    Florence
    Italy
    Best Arthouse Narrative Short and Best Indie Director
  • Telluride New Stories Film Festival

    Best Author of the Year 2024
  • Special Event at 81st Venice International Film Festival
    Venice
    Italy
    Best Filmmaker, Best Narrative Short, Best Arthouse Cinematographer
  • The Monthly Film Festival (TMFF)

    Best Experimental Film
Director Biography - Rhoyce Nova

As an empathic provocateur, I bring an ardent and edgy perspective to storytelling, drawing on intense themes and raw emotions to captivate and challenge audiences. I create films that dare audiences to think deeply and feel intensely by combining empathy and compassion with a willingness to push boundaries, explore taboo subjects and inspire change. My films are bold, thought-provoking, and unapologetically authentic.

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Director Statement

“Telling the Untold in word and film”