MELODIES OF THE ABYSS 2026, 29min., Australia
Directed by Sam Iwata aka Liu
Logline: A rock star bound by a devil’s pact drifts toward oblivion, haunted by forever regrets. Across the veil, a fallen angel mourns lost grace. Each seeks redemption—and in that search, confronts what they truly are, and what they might yet become.

https://www.instagram.com/melodies_of_the_abyss/

Get to know the filmmaker:

1. What motivated you to make this film?
Melodies of the Abyss was born from a need to explore the fragile boundary between identity and oblivion. I was inspired by Kurt Cobain’s final days — not to retell them literally, but to reimagine them as a psychological and metaphysical descent. I wanted to confront regret, fractured love, and the haunting presence of inner demons. My motivation was to create a film that doesn’t dictate answers, but invites the audience into a symbolic labyrinth where silence speaks louder than words.

2. From the idea to the finished product, how long did it take for you to make this film?
It took me more than two years of writing, refining, shooting, and post-production — but more than that, it was two years of living with the film’s ghosts. Every stage demanded patience and persistence, and the time allowed the performances and symbolism to mature into something layered and true.

3. How would you describe your film in two words!?
Hauntingly intimate

4. What was the biggest obstacle you faced in completing this film?
Budget. Independent filmmaking is always a negotiation between vision and resources. Yet in a way, the limitation became part of the film’s DNA — forcing us to strip away excess and focus on precise decision-making.

5. What were your initial reactions when watching the audience talking about your film in the feedback video?
I was deeply moved. Hearing strangers articulate the emotions and symbols I had planted felt like a mirror — proof that the film had reached beyond me. I was impressed by how closely they paid attention to details, even the ones quietly hidden. It reminded me why cinema matters: it’s not about control, but about resonance.

6. When did you realize that you wanted to make films?
I realized I wanted to make films instead of TV commercials when my father passed away a decade ago. All the memories we shared in cinema came rushing back like thunder. From that moment, I slowly shifted my focus away from the highly profitable but ultimately hollow pursuit of advertising toward something I believe can change the world — films that carry emotional truth and leave behind echoes.

7. What film have you seen the most in your life?
Character-driven films with unexpected twists upon twists always stay with me because they reveal the complexity of human nature while constantly surprising the audience. But if I have to name one, it would be Memento.

8. What other elements of the festival experience can we and other festivals implement to satisfy you and help you further your filmmaking career?
Festivals are already a sanctuary for independent voices. What would elevate the experience further is deeper dialogue — curated panels where filmmakers and audiences dissect the craft, the symbolism, and the risks behind each film. Opportunities for mentorship and collaboration across borders would also help us grow beyond the screen.

9. You submitted to the festival via FilmFreeway. How has your experiences been working on the festival platform site?
FilmFreeway has been a reliable bridge between filmmakers and festivals. Its simplicity makes the submission process less intimidating, and its reach allows independent films like mine to find audiences across the world.

10. What is your favorite meal?
A simple bowl of ramen. It’s humble, layered, and comforting — much like cinema itself. Every ingredient matters, and together they create something greater than the sum of its parts.

11. What is next for you? A new film?
I have three feature-length scripts waiting for me to revisit — two thrillers and one sports drama. Each explores identity, tension, and transformation in different ways. My next step is to bring one of these stories to life with the same emotional truth and symbolic depth that shaped Melodies of the Abyss.