"Heartbeat" follows Brooks, a young man, as he prepares for a significant event that triggers a series of flashbacks of his painful and complex childhood, causing him to reflect on his relationship with his alcoholic father, bringing to light both joyful and painful memories in which he sees the impact his father had on his life as a child and continues to have. Throughout this memory rollercoaster, he discovers that pain and love, like his father and him, are forever bound together.
Technical details
Narrative Short - UK - 11 minutes - English (With English subtitles)
Cast and Credits
Director - Kewen
Writer - Kewen
Producer - Camila Lovardo
Key Cast
Christian Perry - "Old Brooks"
Ryan Mullin - "Young Brooks"
Max Carley - "Father"
Charlotte Baxter - "Mother"
Director of Photography - Simone Nileah
Production Designer - Dylan Arruda
Editor - Devin Abo
Music Supervisors - Tsering Nunez
Music Supervisors - Elay VanBoer
Screening Details:
student showcase. April 26th 2026. 5pm-9pm. Venue to be announced.
Director biography
- Kewen
Kewen’s greatest passion has always been storytelling. Originally from Brazil, he came to the United States to pursue a degree in Film Production Technology at Valencia College in Orlando, Florida—a school that Steven Spielberg once called "one of the best film schools in the country."
Driven by his love for cinema, Kewen defied expectations and broke the norm, becoming the first person from his small town to graduate from an American College. Since then, he has been writing, directing, and producing films, dedicating himself to stories that resonate deeply with audiences.
One of his most notable films, Heartbeat, explores themes of grief and alcoholism, shedding light on the painful yet complex love that lingers even after loss. His work gives voice to emotions often left unspoken, creating a space for those struggling with difficult realities to feel seen and understood.
Since childhood, films have shaped Kewen’s perspective and fueled his purpose. Storytelling helped him find his own voice, and through his films, he hopes to help others find theirs.