Lost in a winter forest, a woman's search for her past becomes a fight for survival when she discovers a chilling truth - she is not alone in the woods.

Director - Christopher John Reilly

Director Statement

GAEA is a deeply personal project for me. Like Gaea, I lost my family when I was young, and the profound sense of confusion, isolation, and fear that followed has shaped both my personal journey and my creative expression. Through this film, I wanted to capture the visceral experience of navigating life without a sense of self, while trying to find connection in a world that feels devoid of it.

From the beginning I knew I wanted to tell this story in an unconventional way. Memories are often bizarre, fractured, and sometimes unsettling, and that is the feeling I wanted to capture. The forest in ‘GAEA’ serves as a metaphor for her subconscious, and the circle of vines the doorway. Her inner child is trapped there, unable to process witnessing the execution of her family. By immersing the audience in GAEA’s disorienting and surreal experiences, I hope to evoke the raw emotion and vulnerability that come with confronting the darkest parts of ourselves.

At its core, GAEA is not just a story of survival, but one of transformation. The choice to confront one's fears, or let it consume you, is a universal human experience. I hope to inspire others to confront their own struggles and remind us that we are all capable of finding light even in the darkest of places.