our film.

Lost in the Current°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ explores the quiet yet powerful moments of self-doubt, identity, and artistic passion. At its core, the film follows Aria, a young painter caught between two worlds: the commercialized demands of the art world and the personal expression she yearns to share. Aria’s struggles extend beyond her canvas as she grapples with finding her voice in a world that often values success over authenticity. Set against the backdrop of Florida’s Gulf Coast beaches, Lost in the Current is a celebration of nature and creativity.

Lost in the Current asks a poignant question: What if you don’t want to move forward? This film is for anyone who’s ever felt the weight of societal expectations pushing them toward a path that doesn’t feel like their own.

who we are.

Hi I’m Hilda Sheridan-Hewlettᡣ? •｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅, I won’t say too much about myself because I’ve already narrated the campaign video so I’m sure you’ve already had enough of me, but if you haven’t checked it out already you should.. it has a teaser at the end! Anyway, I started my journey in Florida as just having one year here as an exchange student from England, but my connection to Florida transgressed the borders my exchange program put in place and I ended up staying for 3 more years! Lost in the Current was a culmination of experiences and feelings that I have had trouble putting to words. The best and most productive way I felt I could show my thoughts was through this short film, which used Florida’s beautiful landscape as a backdrop. 

Hello, my name is Jonathan Davisᯓ★ and I am a senior undergraduate at University of South Florida studying Film and New Media Studies. Film has always been a passion of mine and I hope to pursue a career in the industry someday. I had the privilege of co-directing Lost in the Current alongside Hilda, also helping to produce and edit the film. Getting to develop a story like Lost in the Current was an absolute honor, and I am thankful to our entire cast and crew for making it happen. While creating this film, I’ve learned to be as meticulous as possible, acquired new editing skills, and developed full knowledge into what it takes to make a film from start to finish. I’m excited to put out such an endearing story to the world and grateful to have shared this opportunity with amazing people!

Hi my name is Jose Ariza⋆｡°‧★ At a young age my dad gifted me his Panasonic VHS camera, and since then I’ve always been interested in anything that has to do with the visual world. With time, I became passionate about the film post production process, and more recently, I’ve been wanting to delve more into Cinematography. After several involvements in different film sets, I finally got the chance to be DP (something I was looking for) for this wonderful film, which started as a conversation with one my closest friends at university more than a year ago. Now, Lost In The Current is a reality. I am sure this film will take you on a narrative and visual introspective ride.

Hi! I’m Sofia Johansson⋆˚✿˖° Through this film project I was given the opportunity to do costuming for the main character Aria. As a creatively oriented person, I’ve always desired to craft something from scratch that fits into a larger project, which Lost in the Current provided me the opportunity to do. Designing outfits to not only convey Aria’s aesthetic but express various emotions present throughout the film, I used my passion for sewing to reflect Aria’s internal conflict through clothing. By also helping out behind the scenes, I learned how all the diverse puzzle pieces of production and editing fit together into creating a cinematic artwork. I’d lastly like to thank Hilda for providing me the opportunity to express her artistic ideas through costume designing and working together with the crew both pre- and post-production. 

Hey, I am Silvia Cannarella⋆.˚⟡ ࣪ ˖ I moved to Florida as a child, and honestly wouldn’t have it any other way. I feel a deep connection to the natural environment that defines the beauty of Florida, which is showcased through Lost in the Current. I am studying Accounting & Analytics at the University of South Florida and have thoroughly enjoyed applying both my professional and creative skills through our film. As a child, I struggled when posed with questions like “What do you want to do for living?” or “Where do you want to go to university?" Now in my 20's, I still feel anxiety around long-term plans, feeling that you should let life take you where you need to be, much like Aria’s own beliefs. Being able to produce, edit, and lead the campaign for Lost in the Current has been inspiring; I am so proud to be apart of this team and excited to share the beautiful film we have created!

the inspiration. 

The story of Lost in the Current was born out of personal experiences. As an exchange student in Florida, Hilda found solace and inspiration in the state’s natural beauty—the sun, the sea, and the sand. These elements became the perfect metaphor for the waves of doubt, hope, and clarity we all face in life. 

Aria’s journey draws inspiration from classic works like The Graduate and The Awakening, reflecting themes of rebellion against societal norms and the struggle to navigate crossroads in life. Like Benjamin Braddock and Edna Pontellier, Aria’s internal conflict is universal—torn between external pressures and her own truth. 

• Water represents passive movement and societal pressures pushing characters forward without conscious control.
• Aria and Benjamin’s narratives explore internal conflict through this metaphor of being carried by currents.

• Both Aria and Benjamin face societal expectations from older generations that restrict their freedom, reflecting broader pressures to conform.
• This inspiration from The Graduate helps Lost in the Current illustrate the disconnection that young adults feel when facing societal expectations and personal uncertainty placed upon them.

• Aria reflects Edna Pontellier’s struggles for personal freedom and self-expression amidst societal constraints.
• In each respective work, water symbolizes freedom and transformation for the individual characters—Edna’s awakening is tied to her experiences in the ocean, while Aria’s connection to waves reflects her internal struggles and emotional journey.

"I know I didn’t mention Life is Strange in the campaign video, but that does not take the gravity of its importance away! These collages detail the similarities between Lost in the Current and Life is Strange, providing further insight into story video game's influence on the film. I had played Life is Strange when I was 16 and remembered the impact it had upon me years later. The way in which it evoked emotion and feeling with its cool-toned colour palette and folky soundtrack, led me to return to the game with a close friend of mine, our Director of Photography, Jose. After playing the game and watching Jose’s reactions to the game, I had reignited my love for it. 

Jose and I formed our vision for Lost in the Current through the lens of Life is Strange, we liked the idea of an uncomfortable undercurrent lurking amongst a seemingly beautiful landscape. The inevitability of the effect of nature on the characters is notable throughout the game which is why we tried to integrate that idea into Lost in the Current, through Aria's intrinsic attachment to waves and water. In both cases, nature itself is an unstoppable force, which one has to reckon with. One can use elements of nature to aid them but it can also prove to be something that is scary creating an atmosphere of uncertainty. "

    - Hilda Sheridan-Hewlettᡣ? •｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅

• The film’s tone, themes, and protagonists are heavily inspired by the game.
• The game’s emotional impact, cool-toned color palette, and folky soundtrack shaped the vision for Lost in the Current.

• Aria is a painter and Max is a photographer, each artistic pursuit comes with its own individual challenges.
• Both women grapple with their art becoming a lens for others' expectations, desiring anonymity and authenticity in their creations.
• The painter behind the art pieces in Lost in the Current is Gianna Ritornaro, a student artist whose art process is experimental, as she embraces the nature of uncertainty much like the film's main character Aria! 

• Nature’s duality—both beautiful and foreboding: Aria is specifically tied to waves and water which symbolizes nature as an unstoppable force in her journey. 
• ⁠In the video game and short film alike, nature serves as a medium for exploring identity, desire, and resistance against imposed roles for both characters

"Student life in the United States, a passion for the arts and a challenge, Florida, and late nights playing Life is Strange with Hilda were some of the most impactful inspirations for Lost In The Current. We saw how Life Is Strange heavily relied on nature and how this could be linked to our experiences being in Florida (waking up seeing the sun everyday, the trees, and being so close to the water). I was inspired to shoot a film where the colors of nature were portrayed while also being tinted with an eerie and mysterious tone to represent Aria’s changing mental state, something that is also very characteristic from Life is Strange. Nature, sunsets, and colors are breathtaking, however, you can’t help thinking something might be wrong or dysfunctional when watching. I wanted this feeling of disharmony to be present throughout the film, not only in its color, but also in its shot types and movements. While being captivated by the scenery and variation of colors, you can’t help but think there might be something wrong happening; something that makes the audience feel out of place." 

    - Jose Ariza⋆｡°‧★

why we need you.

Creating Lost in the Current  was a labor of love, born out of hours of hard work and collaboration of students and artists. We’ve completed the film, but now we need your help to bring it to a wider audience.

Your contributions go toward: Film Festival Submissions and Production Costs. We hope to reimburse the cast and crew for their expenses incurred during filming. This includes set, costumes, transportation... plus our crew has got to eat! 

your impact. 

By supporting our film, you support students and artists who are beginning their careers. This project is also about giving back. After production, our team organized beach cleanups as a way to honor and respect the environment that inspired us.

By backing Lost in the Current, you’re helping to amplify a story that reaches those who’s ever felt the pull of their dreams against the current of expectation. If you choose to contribute with a perk that includes handmade clothing, your impact will be deeply appreciated. These exclusive pieces created by Sofia Johansson⋆˚✿˖°,  our production designer, were crafted with care and carry a special connection to Lost in the Current. These clothing items symbolize the essence of the film, holding meaning far beyond their material value.

Thank you for your interest in helping us bring this vision to life. If you're unable to provide support, please follow us on instagram @lostinthecurrentfilm and share our IndieGoGo to get the word out!