HUND

A short film

Hund is a short film about seven year old Jake. Faced with the day of his parents’ divorce, Jake’s anxiety induced Selective Mutism overwhelms and renders him unable to communicate his thoughts and emotions. Desperate for comfort he clings to his best friend - his dog Barley.

MEET THE TEAM

Max Evans - Writer & Director

Max is a German-English director, who grew up and has worked in both countries over the years. He produced and directed the critically acclaimed “Dreaming Whilst Black”, which became the UK’s most successful web series to date, winning a total of 37 international awards. It has recently been commissioned for television by the BBC. Max’s passion lies in telling and exploring stories of struggle and adversity and their effects on us. 

Barbara Maria Hauser - Producer

Barbara is a native Austrian freelance producer. She line produced feature films, such as Body of Water, which premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival - and Two for Joy, which premiered at the Edinburgh Film Festival. Barbara has produced a variety of short films and music videos for international artists and their record labels. Being passionate about sustainable filmmaking, Barbara has completed the certified Albert training in Carbon Literacy.

Lars Ulrik Wold - Co-Producer

Lars is a Norwegian native with a background in marketing and content production. He worked with dogs during his time in the Search and Rescue Teams of the Norwegian military. Now a freelance production manager, producer and coordinator he focuses on independent projects.

Adam Singodia - Cinematographer

Adam's passion lies in narrative cinema and the ability to tell a story through lighting and camerawork. His credits include Dying Laughing, which premiered at the LA Film Festival, Varken, shortlisted at Palm Springs and Belonging, which premiered at Edinburgh International Film Festival. Adam received the Panalux Prize 2020 for his outstanding cinematography on the film Shoal.

Mandy Steele - Casting Director

Mandy has been casting since 2002 across features, shorts, commercials, corporates and voice over casting for animation. She cast the BAFTA-nominated short Talking with Angels and one of her features, Italian horror Cruel Peter, has had its World Premiere at the Taormina Film Festival. Mandy also cast the juvenile lead in the feature, Giantland. She is a long time BAFTA member.

Rana Fadavi - Production Designer

Rana Fadavi is a French-Iranian freelance art director and set designer from Paris. She completed her MA in Strasbourg at HEAR, Higher Education in Visual Arts, in 2016. She works in film, fashion, theatre and exhibitions. Some of her recent projects include work for Designer Issey Miyake, Tara Jarmon for Vogue Paris and the films Celaine and Zorah Come Home.

James Panting - Editor

Over the years James has learnt his craft from many of the industry’s finest film editors, working on a multitude of projects of varying scale and style. His recent credits include 1st Assistant Editor on The Favourite (Academy Award Best Editing nominee), The Aeronauts and Minamata. As VFX Editor he was also part of the BAFTA winning editing team of Baby Driver. James was selected for the prestigious BFI Network x BAFTA Crew 2021.

Jonathon Deering - Composer

Jonathan is an award-winning composer, specialising in music for Film, TV and Theatre. Obsessed with combining his love for screen with his love for music he composed his first film in 2011. Jonathon is the youngest composer ever used by Paramount after scoring the feature Blue Story. Other credits include Featherweight, Hometown Bound and Walking For Tomorrow. Jonathon was selected for the prestigious BFI Network x BAFTA Crew 2021.

Fred Searle - Production Manager

Fred grew up in the North Norfolk countryside and has recently re-joined the industry after a decade away, as a freelance Production Manager & assistant producer. Fred has worked on a number of varied projects and has recently been involved in short indie films, features and a promotional film for a mental health charity.

OUR CONSULTANTS

Dr Elisa Shipon-Blum - President & Director of the SMart Center

Elisa is the Founder and Director Emeritus of the Selective Mutism Association (SMA) and a Director of the Selective Mutism Research Institute (SMRI),  a foundation established to study Dr. Shipon-Blum’s theories and treatment methodologies on Selective Mutism.  In addition, Dr Shipon-Blum is Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology & Family Medicine at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is a board certified physician who specializes in Selective Mutism.

Rachel Ling Gordon - Selective Mutism Child Consultant

Rachel was diagnosed with Selective Mutism at two and a half years old. With the support of her family, friends and healthcare professionals she was able to overcome it and has become a singer and actor, playing the role of Cindy Lou Who in the 10th Anniversary Broadway National Tour of "How the Grinch Stole Christmas". She has performed at Carnegie Hall and walked the runway at New York Fashion Week. Rachel is our official child consultant, giving us invaluable insight into SM.

Sadiqa Email - SMiRA board member & Selective Mutism Consultant

Sadiqa is a trained actress, Selective Mutism Information Research Association spokesperson and mother to an SM child. 

Her extensive knowledge and experience in all things Selective Mutism has been invaluable in truthful and accurate description of this anxiety disorder. 

Dr Nicole Gehl - Child Psychologist

Dr Gehl is an existential-integrative psychotherapist, with specialist training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for children and young people She specialises in Animal Assisted Therapy, using her dogs Grizzly and Lily, to open a channel of emotionally safe, non-threatening communication between patient and therapist.

 Background image by Adam Singodia