Private Project

The Choice To Love

An Australian high school teacher is offered a job promotion while caring for her elderly Czech mother and so must decide whether she will pursue further doing what she loves or remain looking after the one she loves.

  • Anna Dvorak
    Director
    Refined In The Fire
  • Anna Dvorak
    Writer
    Pinch
  • Anna Dvorak
    Producer
    Pinch, Refined In The Fire, Sleeping Beauties
  • Diana McLean
    Key Cast
    "Margita "
    Neighbours, The Young Doctors, North Shore
  • Gennie Nevinson
    Key Cast
    "Maria"
    Muriel's Wedding, Babe, The Twelve
  • Meagan Caratti
    Key Cast
    "Jana"
    Home & Away, Deadly Women, Evicted: A Modern Romance
  • Tabitha Law
    Key Cast
    "Emma"
    The Fall Guy, The Last King Of The Cross, NCIS: Sydney
  • Project Type:
    Short, Student
  • Genres:
    Drama, Arthouse
  • Runtime:
    11 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 5, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    10,000 AUD
  • Country of Origin:
    Australia, Czechia
  • Country of Filming:
    Australia, Czechia
  • Language:
    Czech, English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    Yes - University of Technology Sydney
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • Flickers' Rhode Island International Film Festival 2023
    Rhode Island
    United States
    Semi-finalist
  • Multicultural Film Festival 2023
    Melbourne, Victoria
    Australia
    August 29, 2023
    World Premiere
    Official Selection
  • SIMFEST International Film and Television Festival 2023
    Mureş
    Romania
    August 30, 2023
    International Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Charlotte Film Fesitval 2023
    Charlotte
    United States
    September 27, 2023
    North American Premiere
    Official Selection
  • CineFem 112023
    Maldonado
    Uruguay
    September 20, 2023
    South American Premiere
    Best Actress Award - Winner
  • Topaz Film Festival by Women in Film Dallas 2023
    Dallas, Texas
    United States
    October 12, 2023
    Texas Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Orlando Film Festival
    Orlando, Florida
    United States
    October 26, 2023
    Florida Premiere
    The Ralph Clement Student Short Award - Winner
  • CineWorld Film Festival
    Sarasota, Florida
    United States
    November 3, 2023
    Sarasota Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Canberra Short Film Festival
    Canberra, Australian Capital Territory
    Australia
    November 10, 2023
    ACT Premiere
    Spiritus Short Film Prize - Winner
  • Amarcort Film Festival
    Rimini
    Italy
    November 14, 2023
    Italian Premiere
    Official Selection
  • DAM Short Film Festival 2024
    Boulder City, Nevada
    United States
    February 14, 2024
    Nevada Premiere
    Official Selection
  • London Director Awards 2024
    London
    United Kingdom
    February 16, 2024
    Official Selection
  • Down Under Film Festival 2024
    Berlin & Copenhagen
    Germany
    September 26, 2024
    German & Danish Premiere
    Official Selection
  • Aussie & Kiwi Film Festival 2024
    Prague
    November 15, 2024
    Czech Premiere
    Official Selection
Distribution Information
  • SBS
    Distributor
    Country: Australia
    Rights: Video on Demand
Director Biography - Anna Dvorak

Anna Dvorak is a trilingual filmmaker from Sydney, Australia. Born to European parents, Anna alongside her Australian citizenship also has Slovakian and Czech citizenship. She is a member of the Australian Directors Guild and Screen Producers Australia.

Her career has included not only film production but also podcast production, events, publicity and marketing. Anna has worked on various productions since 2016, ranging in genre and form and both in Australia and Europe. She has worked on the film sets of famous filmmakers such as Taika Waititi, Russell Crowe and David Leitch. Anna’s previous work has screened at many international film festivals. Some of these festivals which have recognised Anna’s work include the academy qualifying film festival St Kilda Film Festival, Flickerfest, Flickers‘ Rhode Island and Clermont-Ferrand.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

"When I consume art, I often see ‘love’ portrayed as a feeling, especially a romantic one. In this short drama, I explore the idea of love as a choice that needs to be made daily and that you can love someone you don’t necessarily like.

This work is inspired by true events and people in my life, especially my family, but the story is fictional. I believe this film is timely with everything that has happened with the pandemic and is continuing to happen. COVID-19 has left vulnerable people, such as the elderly and disabled, even more at risk. This story reminds us to care for others and likewise our own health, especially our mental health.

This film also showcases a distinct intercultural point of view merging Australian culture with Eastern European while also encouraging more female voices in film, with an all-female cast and an over 80% female crew."

- Anna Dvorak (Director, Writer & Producer)