Introduction:
Our short film Ya Hanouni is a drama told from the perspective of a baby, as two young parents compete to see who will succeed in making them say their very first word. While each gives their all to win this playful contest, the moment foreshadows a sudden disruption that will turn their lives upside down.
Inspiration:
The situation in the Middle East, and more specifically the ongoing genocide in Palestine, inspired us to make this short film. We felt the urgent need to take action with the means available to us, and the best way was to tell this story through cinema. We sincerely hope the audience feels both empathy and unease. More than anything, we want viewers to pause and reflect — not just on the story we’ve told, but on the reality that inspired it. If the film can resonate on a human level and open even a small window into a larger truth, then its purpose is fulfilled.
The Process:
The shooting of Ya Hanouni took place in a single day, due to time and budget constraints. This intense day required careful coordination between the technical crew and the actors to set up the practical effects needed for each scene. The team, small but deeply committed, remained focused on carrying out the shoot despite the limitations. The restricted resources also pushed us to improvise, sometimes resulting in pleasant surprises, such as the final shot of the film, when the rescuers enter the room. The lighting for this scene was captured spontaneously thanks to the ingenuity of our director of photography, Axel Dos Santos.
Despite the challenges, this experience was highly educational and encouraged us to continue on this path.
What It Means to Be a Finalist:
Being selected as a finalist at the Worcester Film Festival for Ya Hanouni is a true honour. After facing many constraints and obstacles during the making of the film, it is incredibly rewarding to see our short travel internationally and reach audiences at your festival, especially knowing that we are based in France. It’s encouraging to see that, even with limited resources, a small independent short film can still connect with people across the world.
Where to Watch / Follow:
You can follow our journey and discover more about Ya Hanouni and future projects on Instagram at @yahanouni. The short film will continue its festival run, and updates on screenings will be shared on our socials!