THE SILENCE OF MY SOUL, 4min., Armenia
Directed by Hasmik Chakhmakhchyan
The Silence of My Soul is an intimate piano-vocal ballad shaped by jazz and R&B sensitivity and approached with cinematic restraint. Minimalist piano textures and a nuanced vocal performance create a quiet emotional tension — reflective, tender, and deeply human.

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Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
I was inspired by Araksya’s voice and the emotional depth of the song. *The Silence of My Soul* is a very personal story. I wanted to visualize the “silence” she sings about and transform the inner state of loneliness into a beautiful visual image that could resonate universally with audiences.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
The entire process took around three months. We spent a long time searching for the right visual language and the perfect location so that the minimalism of the frame would not feel empty, but emotionally charged.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Pure aesthetics.

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
The most difficult part was maintaining balance in the editing process. In such a minimalist black-and-white visual style, every frame has to be perfect. It was important not to overload the video with effects and to leave space for Araksya’s vocals to breathe.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
It was deeply emotional. When you create something so personal in the “silence” of a studio, there is always a fear of being misunderstood. Seeing people understand your metaphors and truly feel the atmosphere was the greatest reward.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I am an artist, and I realized my calling very early in childhood. After receiving a strong academic art education, I came to understand that there are no boundaries between artistic genres for me. Whether I work with canvas or moving images, I create visual worlds. Cinema became a natural extension of painting — my artworks simply gained movement and sound.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
I am a true cinephile, so it is difficult to choose just one film. My visual language has been shaped by very different masters: from the impeccable symmetry of Wes Anderson and the poetic cinematic world of Sergei Parajanov to the dynamic energy of Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino. I am also deeply inspired by the psychological depth and human complexity in the works of Miloš Forman and Roman Polanski. Each of them has taught me, in different ways, how to work with image and storytelling.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
More opportunities for filmmakers in terms of distribution and content promotion would be extremely valuable. It would be wonderful to have more channels that help present films to wider audiences and media platforms, strengthening the connection between art and the industry.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experience been working with the festival platform site?
It is a very convenient and intuitive platform. It gives independent creators from all over the world the opportunity to be heard and helps erase borders between countries and cultures.

10. What is your favorite meal?
Fresh Armenian peaches.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
Winning at this festival has given me a huge creative boost. Right now, Araksya and I are discussing the concept for our next project. It will definitely continue our visual explorations — perhaps in a different genre, but with the same sincerity and emotional honesty.