The Kid in SAN FRANCISCO FROZEN FILM FESTIVAL 2025

First things first, I want to share with you The Kid (4:44 min) the film who made it to East Village New York Film Festival (where it won an Award as a Best Indie Short) and then afterwards to San Francisco Frozen Film Festival (where your generosity made possible my trip there). 

* Please watch it in a bigger screen than in the phone! laptop at least, or preferably bigger screen :)

THE KID

I would love to hear your comments, opinions or questions about it, if you feel like sharing :) I will answer those who have some questions, remember to add your e-mail at the end. 

STORY TIME! : How "The Kid" was made

I wanted to participate in Uneton48 competition in 2024 (the competition in which you make a short film in 48 hours) and I had in my mind some images that were "persecuting me" for some time (the wall of condoms filled with colours, the fetus falling down on the bathroom, the expression of the girl, the dating app open...). I wanted to connect all the dots and make a short film out of it.  Other times making shorts, I would stress too much somehow preparing everything, but in this one, I waited until the very last weekend before the competition started, to ask around the possible cast. I wasn't thinking to have a technical crew (so we didn't have a sound recordist on set, the voices were recorded straight from camera and then I decided to use the camera myself), because I just wanted to make an experiment with the actors... never thought it would become a short film.

After we made it, I showed it around and someone mentioned that had potential for some festivals, so I wondered... why not? I never tried to send any of my shorts before to any festival, so it would be a good test.  Then, for my surprise, last year was selected in New York East Film Festival (February 2025, where it won the prize to Best Indie Short Film) and then was the turn of San Francisco Frozen Film Festival (July 2025). Apart from other nominations in other festivals.

I need to thank again all the crew and cast that was so generous in their time and to trust in me in this experiment, because it was! I was super lucky when thinking about the fetus, I asked Anu Sallinen how it could be done, and she said " I have one already". Then, too spontaneusly, I asked my friend Maria to take the main role. Until that day, she never have been acting in any short film, and what a discovery I did! she did an amazing job, and her naturality and spontaneity speaks loads in front of the camera. Then, Daniela came along and her creativity on set (we improvised her lines on set) were stunning and Maija by chance came with her kids (it was not planned that way) and it was great to included them in the story line. I never met until that day Nick, but believe me if I say that if I would have had the chance to do a proper casting before hand, he would have been the one. 

Later on, when seeing the potential of the short film, the sound was designed by the great Alexander, who added the layers needed to impress audiences and follow the storytelling. And the images went to be colour graded by the amazing Italo, who shape the colour into the more vibrant one.

 Thanks to everyone involved  <3

PHOTOS of the trip to SAN FRANCISCO! 

The festival was happening in an outdoors cinema, really fun! although then I realized why it was called "San Francisco Frozen Film Festival". It was indeed, quite cold at night (the temperatures dropped later on the day). But other than that, it was really nice and people there were really friendly. The first day of the festival there was a meeting between filmmakers and I talked with many people. Mostly all of them were from the Bay Area. They were quite surprised when I mentioned that I was coming from Finland!

In between the days of the festival, I visited different places. In the photos you can see The Paramount Theater in Oakland (probably the most beautiful cinema I have ever seen, what a style!) Roxie Theater (where I went to watch one film, quite cozy and really good vibes) The Painted Ladies (those famous houses that are featured in the opening credits of the tv series "Full House" ) one of the Golden Gate views from a beach ...and many times I liked to wonder around the city, taking different transportations and getting inspired by the vibe of it. I really loved it. 

Even though I traveled solo, I couldn't feel less alone. People were always open for a small chat (with no other intentions) and also, if walking around at night, they were protecting you. At some point I got lost one night, and one female bus driver stopped to tell me where to go to catch my bus back. I had the great idea to travel without internet... I was depending on Wifi and you couldn't find it everywhere...so... but that gave me chances to interact more with locals, like it was done years back. 

Overall, the experience was amazing, it made me believe that everything is possible. Even our more delusional dreams. Just if you step a bit out of the "familiar" and you trust that things are gonna work out.

THANKS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART TO HAVE SUPPORTED THIS EXPERIENCE

And please, if you haven't asked yet or redeem for your special perk, write me at : visualtam5@gmail.com