Director: | Freya Silas Finch |
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Production: | Run Charlie Films (Alex Lovell, Eldon Booth) |
Running Time: | 13’ |
Language: | English |
Country: | New Zealand |
Year: | 2025 |
Main Cast: | Emile Boyle, Jodie Rimmer, Gideon T. Smith, Angus Stevens |
Screenplay: | Freya Silas Finch |
Cinematographer: | Tammy Williams |
Editor: | Freya Silas Finch |
Production Designer: | Glenn Blomfield |
Costume Designer: | Helen Young-Loveridge |
Music: | Cello Forrester |
Sound: | Native Audio |
The Brightness

Synopsis
A group of teenagers reunite to spend time with the mother of their friend, one year after his passing. The late arrival of Jed sets the sacred evening awry, as his friends try to cope with his unpredictable persona. When Jed takes things too far, the fragile peace is shattered, forcing everyone to confront resentment, guilt and unresolved grief.
Director’s Statement
The Brightness is inspired by lived experiences of those close to me. I wanted to explore how grief and trauma both unite and divide people, and how difficult emotions manifest within relationships.
Set in contemporary Aotearoa-New Zealand, the film reflects on masculinity, and how dominant western culture often leaves young men without tools to express themselves.
I relate to Jed as he seeks connection yet places himself as an outsider — sabotaging the love he craves. Yet Jed ultimately creates space for others to feel the truth of their pain: he is both the chaos and the medicine.
The film speaks to the grief of losing someone to suicide — a painful reality in Aotearoa, where youth suicide rates are high. I hope The Brightness resonates with those who have experienced loss and offers hope to anyone struggling.
Production/distribution
PRODUCTION:
Run Charlie Films - Alex Lovell, Eldon Booth
Suite 1202, Level 12, 300 Queen Street, Auckland CBD
1010 Auckland, New Zealand
Tel: +64 21645582 / +64 21983223
E-mail: eldon@runcharliefilms.com
Web: http://www.runcharliefilms.com
Social Media: http://www.facebook.com/runcharliefilms - Facebook, http://www.instagram.com/runcharliefilms - Instagram, http://x.com/runcharliefilms - X (Twitter)