Private Project

sisters by water

A Caribbean-American coming- of-age story centering two best friends afraid of getting in the water. It is only through the intimacy of sisterhood that Ambar and Larimar can unearth and heal these ancestral fears.

  • Ava Marie Threat
    Key Cast
    "Young Ambar"
  • Cristina Encarnación
    Key Cast
    "Adult Ambar"
  • Liliam Montilla
    Key Cast
    "Adult Larimar"
  • Amina Massai
    Key Cast
    "Young Larimar"
  • Shenny De Los Angeles
    Writer and Director
  • Vince Sanchez-Sambrano
    Producer
  • Amanda Morell
    Editor
  • Stefan Nachmann
    Director of Photography
  • Rose Rosen
    Casting Director
  • Kyle Rodriguez
    Composer
  • Project Type:
    Short
  • Runtime:
    15 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    May 7, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    30,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Haitian, Spanish
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography

Shenny De Los Angeles is a Dominican-American Writer and Director. Her short film, the ritual to beauty, is now available to stream on The New Yorker. Learn more about her work at www.shennydelosangeles.com

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

A love letter to all of my fears.

I began dreaming up this film “sisters by water” because it took me twenty five years to face the ocean. I wanted to make a film for anyone who has a hard time looking at themselves. I wanted to make a film that younger me needed desperately. For all the times I skipped pool parties and beach invites.

Of course, this is also inspired by a real friendship. Thank you to Larissa for all the adventures. Thank you to the many sisters who helped me be a better person (who surprisingly found their way into these characters too). To my first love, Kathleen. Thanks for being my friend at that time, I really needed you.

I had spent so much time hearing “blood is thicker” and never quite felt that from my lived experience. Through the love of sisters, I discovered an element much stronger than blood. To be related to people by water feels like a miracle.