Tell Tale Signs

A short coming-of-age drama about a chance encounter between two strangers setting them off on a path that will fundamentally change both of their lives forever. The film explores themes of self-realisation, physical abuse and mental health.

  • Ginevra Gentili
    Director
    Martin
  • Ginevra Gentili
    Writer
  • Ginevra Gentili
    Producer
    Martin
  • Helga Greggio
    Producer
  • Frankie Wilson
    Key Cast
    "Rhys"
    The Souvenir, Cradle To Grave
  • Rebecca Birch
    Key Cast
    "Claire"
    Electric Dreams
  • Kathryn Worth
    Key Cast
    "Anne"
    Unrelated
  • Greg Snowden
    Key Cast
    "Jake"
    Final Leaves of Winter
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    20 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    May 18, 2016
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 GBP
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United Kingdom
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    RED
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Scope
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 7th Los Angeles Short Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
    March 13, 2021
    United States Premiere
  • London Lift-Off Film Festival
    London
    United Kingdom
    December 1, 2020
    United Kingdom Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Indie Short Fest
    Los Angeles
    Official Selection
  • Indie Short Fest

    Best Drama Short (Winner)
  • Indie Short Fest

    Best Director (Female) - Winner
  • Indie Short Fest

    Award of Excellence (Special Jury Mention)
  • Indie Short Fest

    Best Producer (Winner)
  • Indie Short Fest

    Best Cinematography (Winner)
  • Indie Short Fest

    Best Acting Duo (Winner)
  • Indie Short Fest

    Best Supporting Actress (Winner)
  • Indie Short Fest

    Best Special Make-Up (Winner)
  • Indie Short Fest

    Best Original Screenplay (Nominee)
  • Indie Short Fest

    Best Production Design (Nominee)
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Indie Short
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Female Director (Platinum)
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United Kingdom
    Best Cinematography (Platinum)
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    United States
    Best Original Story (Platinum)
  • Independent Shorts Awards
    Los Angeles
    Best Supporting Actress (Platinum)
  • Reale Film Festival 2020

    Best Drama - Monthly Winner
  • Torino Short Film Market
    Turin
    Italy
    November 22, 2016
  • 18th LA Indie Film Festival
    Los Angeles
    United States
  • Independent Shorts Awards, 2021 Annual Awards
    Los Angeles
    Best Director (Female) Nominee
  • Independent Shorts Awards, 2021 Annual Awards
    Los Angeles
    Best Romantic Short - Nominee
Director Biography - Ginevra Gentili

Tuscan-born Ginevra Gentili is an Italian-British film director coming from a photography and cinematography background. She has been directing since her early twenties and co-runs an independent production company, North Harley Films. Ginevra has both directed and produced award-winning short films like Martin (2020), Tell Tale Signs (2016), music videos and music documentaries (Eivør Talks Tour) and more. In her films, Ginevra mostly focuses on coming-of-age dramas and films based on true stories, and she's in development for her debut feature which she hopes to begin production for soon.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

‘Tell Tale Signs’ is a Kickstarted funded short coming-of-age drama born from a story that could both lend itself to feature film and television, and it is beginning of the story of a tormented young man and the events that set him off on his journey.

I always like to draw from stories based on real life events in my films. I was fascinated by various random encounters I had in London throughout the years, and how sometimes there is always more than meets the eye, how a lot of people hide their scars in plain sight. The idea for the film came to me both around this and the stories behind why people get tattoos. Sometimes there can be no story at all. Sometimes it’s the opposite. Sometimes a person’s tattoos become their tell tale signs, whatever the reasons may be. And that is exactly what happens to our protagonist.

I wrote and directed this short film with the aim of telling a powerful story that explores human nature in contemporary society with themes of self-realisation and friendship, juxtaposed to psychological and physical abuse, and how a stranger can change your life in the most unexpected ways. I think ‘Tell Tale Signs’ offers a fresh look into the real life of today’s millennials, observing, rather than judging, what young adults happen to face.

GINEVRA GENTILI-ELSWORTHY