Experiencing Interruptions?

The ningyo

A Faustian tale about losing oneself in the process of achieving our goals.

Episode One:
Professor Marlowe finds a piece of a map pointing to the place where the Ningyo, a mythical Japanese creature, could be found. The legend claims whomever consumes its flesh will attain remarkable longevity. He presents the project to his peers, who mock and dismiss him as a fraud. He decides to risk everything and go after the Ningyo on his own in hopes to bring to light what could be one of the greatest contributions to science. What he could not anticipate is that, in his search, he is confronted with a choice that puts the very foundations of his morality to the test.

  • Miguel ortega
    Director
    The Green Ruby Pumpkin...Creature designer: Krampus , Thor, the mist
  • Tran Ma
    Writer
    The Green Ruby Pumpkin...Creature designer: Krampus , Thor, the mist, Transformers
  • Miguel ortega
    Writer
  • Gregory collins
    Writer
    A song still inside
  • Rodrigo lopresti
    Key Cast
    I'm not me, a song still inside
  • Gabe Fazio
    Key Cast
    A place beyond the pines
  • Jerry lacy
    Key Cast
    Dark shadows (original tv series), Play it again, Sam
  • Tamlyn Tomita
    Key Cast
    Joy Luck Club, Karate Kid 2 , Four Rooms, 24, Berlin Station
  • Louis Ozawa Changchien
    Key Cast
    Predators, The Bourne Legacy, Spectral
  • Tran Ma
    Producer
  • Project Type:
    Short, Other
  • Genres:
    Mystery, Science Fiction, Fantasy
  • Runtime:
    27 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    March 1, 2017
  • Production Budget:
    60,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Japanese
  • Shooting Format:
    Red
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2:41
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • HollyShorts
    Los Angeles
    United States
    August 10, 2017
    Los Angeles
    Best Cinematography
  • FilmQuest
    Utah
    United States
    September 8, 2017
    Utah Premiere
    Best Director, Best Fantasy Film, Best VFX, Best Score
  • UnderExposed film festival yc
    York county, South Carolina
    United States
    March 1, 2017
    North American Premiere
    Best Narrative Film
  • Orlando Film Festival
    Orlando
    United States
    October 21, 2017
    Orlando Premiere
    Audience Award, Best VFX
  • GenreBlast Film Festival
    Winchester
    United States
    September 7, 2017
    Virginia Premiere
    Best SciFi/ Fantasy Film
  • NOLA horror film fest
    New Orleans
    United States
    September 21, 2017
    New orleans
    Best VFX
  • San Jose International Short Film Festival
    San Jose
    United States
    December 7, 2017
    San Jose
    Best Sci-Fi
  • Film Miami Fest / Best Shorts Worldwide
    Miami
    United States
    July 22, 2017
    Miami Premiere
    Best of Show/ Audience Award
  • Something Wicked Film Festival
    Forest Park
    United States
    August 4, 2017
    Georgia Premiere
    Best Fantasy, Audience Award
  • Phillip K Dick Film Festival
    New York
    United States
    May 18, 2017
    New York Premiere
  • Walt Disney Animation Studios (staff only)

    United States
    June 20, 2017
  • Blizzard Entertainment (staff only)
    Irvine
    United States
    August 2017
  • H.P Lovecraft film festival
    Portland
    United States
    October 6, 2017
    Portland
  • Underground Indie Film Festival
    Apopka Florida
    United States
    June 12, 2017
    Best Fantasy
  • Phoenix Comiccon
    Phoenix
    United States
    May 25, 2017
    3rd Place
  • Fantasy/Sci Fi Film & Screenplay Festival
    Ontario
    Canada
    July 27, 2017
    Canada Premiere
  • Rose City Steampunk Film Festival
    Portland
    United States
    March 18, 2017
    Oregon Premiere
  • Necronomicon Providence
    Providence
    United States
    August 17, 2017
    Rhoad Island
  • Unreal Film Fest
    Memphis TN
    United States
    September 22, 2017
    Tennessee
  • SciFi Film Festival
    Sydney
    Australia
    October 11, 2017
  • Imaginarium Convention
    LOUISVILLE, KY
    United States
    October 6, 2017
    Best Cinematography
  • Otherworlds Austin Film Festival
    Austin
    United States
    December 9, 2017
    Texas Premiere
    best VFX
  • Miami Beach Film Festival
    Miami Beach
    United States
    January 20, 2018
    Best Cinematography, VFX, Best of show
  • Macabre Faire Film Festival
    new york
    United States
    Best sfx, Best Costumes, Best Director
Director Biography - Miguel ortega

Miguel is a Colombian Film Director, creature designer and cinematographer with over 15 years experience working in some of the industries most awarded VFX studios. Miguel has brought to life characters and creatures in many Hollywood blockbusters including: Jack the Giant Slayer, Avatar, Thor, Harry Potter, A Night at the Museum, Godzilla 2, and Krampus. Working with his partner Tran Ma, he had his own directorial debut with the wondrous Short film “The Green Ruby Pumpkin” and is soon to release the Faustian tale of exploration and mythical creature hunting “The Ningyo”.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

The Ningyo is guerrilla indie film-making. This was done almost entirely in our living room with a crew of 4.

Please watch our making of here:
https://vimeo.com/209321194
password: theningyo