Description

Director’s Statement “BORN TO SEE”

By Kristina Usaite

Through the depths of my grief, I channeled the raw intensity of my emotions, pouring them into the creation of this short film “Born to See”. The character’s essence is deeply intertwined with my own mother, who serves as the ultimate source of inspiration. By fearlessly embracing vulnerability, I harnessed the power of my pain and transformed it into healing within the story I’ve created. Even though the story does not center around grief, it delves into the profound bond shared between a mother and her child.

We lived in Ukraine, enduring poverty, yet my mother enriched our lives with love and resilience. She taught me to see and I made sure to bring that part of her into the character and in her journey, she eagerly embraces the role of guiding her blind child. With unwavering confidence, she demonstrates the wonders and beauty of the world. My ultimate objective was to elicit emotions of love and pain by using captivating visuals and characters, leading me toward a path of healing.

Key festivals the film has screened at

• Kalakari Film Fest – Official Selection
• BIMIFF – Winner “Best Director of Student Film”
• BIMIFF – Winner “Best Student Film”
• Monthly Indie Shorts – Winner “Best Student Film”
• Brooklyn College Undergraduate Film Festival – Winner
• Chain NYC Film Festival – Official Selection
• First-Time Filmmaker Sessions – Official Selection
• NewFilmmakers NY – Official Selection
• The Lift-Off Sessions – Official Selection
• Deptford Cinema Film Festival – Official Selection
• Ojai Short Film Fest – Semi-Finalist
• Unrestricted View Film Festival – Winner “Best Short”