Beyond Silence

Drama

SYNOPSIS

In this real-time, one-room drama, Eva (25), a deaf PhD student, arrives at the office of university study advisor Sandrine (54) with her sister and interpreter Anna (24) to report sexual abuse by Eva’s professor. Sandrine is caught off guard by the conversation and advises Eva to turn to the university’s confidential counselor. But that’s a man – Eva doesn’t want to talk to a man. Reluctantly, Sandrine engages, warning that filing a complaint is unlikely to lead to consequences and urging a more pragmatic path. Eva begins to waver, but Anna won’t let her retreat. As the conversation intensifies, Sandrine’s tone hardens and she subtly shifts responsibility onto Eva. Sandrine’s failure to help is what finally pushes Eva to say out loud what actually happened. When she then asks Sandrine for help once more and gets no response, Eva has heard enough and leaves. Anna follows. Only when the door closes behind both women does Sandrine break down.

Film Participations Awards

Academy Awards (2026, USA) – Shortlisted
Shortcuts Short Film Festival (2026, NLD) – Audience Award, Best Score, Best Screenplay, Best Director & Best Film
Santa Barbara International Film Festival (2026, USA) – Official Selection
Cleveland International Film Festival (2026, USA) – Official Selection Seattle Deaf Film Festival (2026, USA) – Official Selection
Ennesimo Film Festival (2026, ITA) – Audience Award & Critics’ Choice Award
Deaffest (2026, GBR) – Best Actress (Henrianne Jansen)
Hollywood Short Fest (2026, USA) – Best Female Director
Poppy Jasper International Film Festival (2026, USA) – Best Drama (Audience Award)
Le Cri du Court Festival (2026, FRA) – Official Selection

Cast & Team

• Cast: Henrianne Jansen, Sigrid ten Napel, Tamar van den Dop
• Director of Photography: Myrthe Mosterman
• Editor: Annelien van Wijnbergen
• Music: Joris Oonk