the moms comment about the sugar going straight to the thighs really got me. super realistic trigger.

I just want to point out that the brother's acting is actually really good, even with the stiff lines, he makes it seem a little more natural

I'm really sorry to all the people who understood the film just by the title.

Something people who SH on their arms can relate to that's never talked about is the jealousy of seeing people wear short sleeves. I'm glad someone finally portrayed that aspect

You know what it means when you start watching these again

as someone who struggles with self harm, the acting is killing me and im struggling to finish it 😭😭

As someone who has gone through ed and sh this was portrayed perfectly, acting wasn't too bad and story came across very well. The chills I felt down my spine with the cupcakes scene was absolutely portrayed so well, the fear and intensity, the build up of it all just to end with what happened in the scene afterwards. Great work and hope future works have meanings as well written as this.

The acting wasn’t great but the camera work was really good how it focused on everyone else wearing short sleeves and then the scene(s) where she was watching her brother eat so comfortably and how she wished she was that comfortable eating showed on her face. The comments the mum made about going to the gym to burn off the cals or how the cupcakes went straight to the thighs were done quite well and the girls reaction to that was really realistic and well done. The way they portrayed ED’s and SH portrayed was very good.

I loved this so much. The only thing that would have changed is the way Kylie cried. I really thought she was laughing at first.

The brothers chewing….I can’t even

The brother saying “I’m here” just got me crying

Little story time: I struggled with SH in middle school and I always wore a long sleeve black hoodie even when it was hot outside. One time my class came in from “recess” and I was honestly about to pass out because of how hot it was out there and how long we were out there for. My teacher noticed me and he looked at me with such compassion and gave me a cold bottle of water. Idk if he knew I was going through something (other than a heat stroke) but I’m grateful for him.

I know it’s a small detail, but I love how the eating noises were emphasised

Saddest thing is that mom had no idea. She thought her kids were okay... my shoulders, thighs and arms would tell a story themselves. Love to you all still struggling like me.

I think having the brother wear no sleeves is a good touch.

This made me cry. When the brother came up to the door and said "im here", I just felt so comforted. I want someone to care for me like that.

The part where she cried at the door when her brother said “I’m here” made me cry. I’ve been through the same thing as she has, and I’ve never felt that I’ve ever had someone to talk to… this is nice

The brother character/actor is amazing: he seems at first only focus on the food, eating as much as he can; but, between bites, he's realizing something is off. In fact, he understood everything and he's... there. Just there. Alazing.

ok so like I can tell a lot of heart and effort went into this and I really respect that but the script is...not it.....

I almost got emotional watching this lol The acting was a little off here and there but that doesn't take away from the meaning of the story As someone who's dealt with an eating disorder off and on throughout the years and is still struggling with self-harm, to see someone suffering silently like I did but have support by her side even when she didn't realize it at first, it gives me hope that I can find that someone I wish I had that person to lean on, but I'm still getting through it everyday on my own and with help from time to time. You're never truly alone

The way she started crying after he brother said “I’m here” broke me, i relate to this so much bc my brother does the same thing for me

The mom triggered me so much The LAST thing you to talk about with a teenage girl in this day and age- is the affects of food. I don’t have an ED (at least I don’t think). But I’ve tried starving myself. Because my mom always is concerned about my weight because she doesn’t want me to end up like her. She wants to live through me. Skinny and perfect. But whenever I tried starving myself- She would get worried. And then I would overeat. And I get badly insecure even at the slightest pudge on my stomach even though I don’t believe being pudgy or fat makes you ugly. I also SH. This short really did depict what ED feels like.

As someone who’s only mental health support is my brother, the brother just saying “I’m here” in the short film reminded me so much of my own life. Immediately crying.

Why the fuck is every short film "award winner" of something?

The acting is pretty cringe at times but overall this is so well done and love the camera work, very hard hitting and a very accurate representation of EDs and SH.

I love that somehow, the brother knew his sister was struggling, whether he was aware of the specifics or not, and came to just be with her. ❤ I cried when she burst into tears with him on the other side of her door.

This was perfectly beautiful. The moments of silence and the different angles, the unfocused drawer and then staring at the sleeves. I've felt it all before and I know that feeling so well. Thank you for portraying these struggles such a beautiful film. We can all get through this together

THAT ACTING OH NO 😭😭😭

“My word child.” “Goodness my child” Pffft I cant

“I’m here” Destroyed me. This is amazing.

The depressed girl reading percy jackson is the most real part of this tbh

i wish i had someone to tell me “im here” and really mean it

The mom is really not a very good actress.

What the hell was her mother thinking saying all that with the cupcakes?! Even with noticing the restriction behavior she portrays like it was a deliberate test . In the ED mindset, Kylie feels she failed and, therefore, must punish herself. Loved the brother, love how attentive he was to the clues right away and his non-judgemental support ❤

Okay the acting may not have been the best ever but the scene when she was throwing up in the bathroom made my sides ache like they used to and i got that cold empty feeling that you get when you drink water and iced coffee on an empty stomach. Really realistic and just an overall great short film.

This is amazing. The fact that the brother cared that much and just knew that kylie needed someone. Dude it brought me to tears. Amazing I want a whole movie!

Honestly love this, and I think it was portrayed really good. But I’d also love to see a version where the family just basically ignores the fact that anything is happening.

i struggle with sh. one thing that screws me over is how my mom announces it to get pity for having a child who does this stuff.i still struggle, and im only a week clean. i try not to do it and just cry. i used to think, "if i have scars inside, why not outside." i wont answer this. i'll let you the reader fill in the blanks. but one thing is, the way god gave me a house when i didnt have, food when i didnt have, friends when i didnt have, and a father when i didnt have, he'll give me life and hope. im only 13, but i have the mind and experience of a 80 year old. i didnt have a childhood, developing depression at the age of 8, but im working hard and i find ways to smile and not just faking it. i hope anyone reading this knows that someone, you met or have yet to meet, loves you so much and would be sad if anything happened to you. your skin isnt paper, dont cut it. your face isnt a mask, dont cover it. your body isnt a book, dont judge it. your life isnt a movie, dont end it. your heart isnt a door, dont look it. not many people read my comments, but im sure you did because you needed to hear this.

I destroyed both my arms, back and stomach with razors, knifes, you named, now I got sick and for the first time in my life I'm not sickly thin, because I didn't knew I used to walk to burn fat, walk for hours since kid, so I never restricted my diet, now I'm taking appetite suppressors and only drinking tea, I never exercised in my life, now I'm learning how to at home... The long sleeves, the baggy pants, the hoodie, I don't know if I use to protect myselr, or push people away. I'm in solitary confinement, unable to have a life, or if I want one, and Im the one with the key, and I still don't know if I want to get out, because I think is the worst human trait, adaptability. You can survive in a dark, lonely, sad house... And that is scary. The monsters are with you, all the time, and even this is comforting...

The crying after throwing up is really accurate

"These things 'ill go straight to your thighs." Annndd there it is. I was waiting for the comment that makes you want to puke it all up and never eat again.

Honestly I'm at a lost of words. The way you guys were able to use sound, different camera angles, and music to be able to express theme of this film was absolutely impressive! Definitely continue making more films

This film acting may be off but message comes thru and that's the point. I think we choose to ignore a lot of signs about ourselves and others just due to fear of shame and disappointment. Talk to someone, seek help. I say with 100% honesty, it's not easy to open up and never to anyone and everyone. Find things and people who give you strength.

Man take that award back

i practically cried just by watching a 6 minute video. it deserves the award

//mentions of self harm and mental health (same stuff as video content) I dont have an eating disorder but I do struggle to eat at times especially around others. During high school I stopped eating lunches and began skipping breakfast every day of the week, while eating dinner with my family. I feel like I could relate to her there, a lot. During much of middle and high school years I cut my arms, legs, neck, and face... and my arms still have ugly, noticeable scars. Its never something I talked to anyone about, and my family still doesn't know. I was that weird kid who always wore long sleeves and pants, even on the hottest days or during my sports. It was miserable. None of those things have I talked about before to anyone. They were habits and coping mechanisms. I didn't eat because I couldn't, I felt undeserving, and the food made me feel self-conscious. I cut myself because it was punishment. I hated myself. All the time I was crying... a lot of traumatizing and unhappy things happened in my life. Ive blocked a lot of them out but my feelings have remained. Most of the time I just don't know why Im sad anymore. Not sure if I prefer it this way. For the first time Im getting therapy for all this. I'm super lucky to have this opportunity. Ive never talked to anyone about how serious my issues are, not even with friends. For anyone else struggling, I advise you get help. But there is one important thing Ive learned in my years; the only real help you will ever get is from yourself. Help yourself. sorry for my long, self invested comment. I liked this video a lot. Sending lots of love to everyone in need

Imo this😮 was very well put together and well-done loved the darkness in the setting where she sat portraying the gloom she felt about her eatinf disorder and the care & concern her brother showed without her saying a word ... great job! Loved it ❤

Bro I watched it with subtitles (cause I'm deaf) and during the bathroom scene where she throws up they literally said "laughs" when she was crying... tf

This perfectly captures ed and sh. When Kylie was at the door and started crying as her brother said ‘I’m here’- I started to cry. She just broke and I feel so connected to her. Thank you, this was beautiful!

who purges with the door open

The scene of her crying in the bathroom after purging really got me, it reminded me of the worst days of my bulimia where I would binge/purge in the single stall bathroom in my college dorm, it felt so isolating being locked away ruining my body while my friends are all having a grand time in the common room with yummy snacks :(

I've spent quite a while trying to talk about my girlfriend, she went through this unfortunately and I was there watching her all the way until she got better; im so proud of her, I love my baby honestly. This made me cry.

Loved the acting of the brother 🥰, I could see he really cares about his sister(s)

im sorry but her acting when she's in the bathroom is sos bad she's legit smiling 😭

I think the acting was good, and the mood shifts while eating the cupcake and when seeing the dresser (which I assume holds tools for sh) were plain accurate to a T. Her brother's expression when he realises she is struggling at the table, and the moment she bursts into further crying after he consoles her at the door were also really well done. I also loved the detail of her not being able/willing to eat breakfast, but then managing to justify eating the tasty cupcake and looking genuinely happy while doing so, until her mother ruins it for her with the comments. It reflects really well that restrictive eds don't mean you can never ever enjoy a reasonable meal or treat, but that this occasional enjoyment is incredibly fragile and fleeting. I feel like I don't often see that represented, usually what is shown is extremely restrictive behaviours and the stereotypical consequences like tiredness, brain fog and fainting and then sometimes a resulting binge and purging. This was more focused on the whirlwind of emotions - from anxious to happy to being consumed by guilt - one can go through even just within eating a few bites, and I really appreciate that being the centre.

The part when the brother came to her is the moment when I started crying, as someone who have deal with SH It was heartbreaking that no one ever saw it, but her brother did saw it and he doesn't need to say something to her to make her know that he is with her, and my heart feel pure for a little.

This is devastating and portrays a message that needs to be discussed, as someone who has struggled with this, its good to have more representation out there. Things must change in the world and we all have to do something about it.

I just knew why it was called Long Sleeves...everyone asking me why I always wore long sleeves...

Lord that’s the worst thing to say to someone with an ed, I’d know, I have one. But saying things like, “I knew you can’t resist this food.” Or the other stuff the mom said, is REALLY triggering. That would also have me in tears.

I relate to this film so much. Thank you for creating it

As somebody who went through sh, this film is very well made. Thankfully I can't relate to the ed part, since whenever I notice something is wrong with the way I see eating I do my best to stop those thoughts before it becomes something bigger. For all the people out there struggling, I just want you to know that fighting is really worth it. It might seem like nobody is there for you and it will never get better, I've been there too, but trust me, it does eventually get better. Remember to not be ashamed of going to therapy, and if you're a minor seek help from people that actually can help you, if not your parents then maybe a different adult that you trust. Maybe your auntie/uncle, older sibling or a good teacher. Just know that you are not alone in this, and there will always be someone who loves and cares about you

I've watched this a couple times. I just realized the brother grabbed two of the cupcakes. Also I genuinely love this film. Also, genuinely hard to tell if she's laughing or crying in the scene where she's throwing up..

THE PAIN of when they offerd you your favorite food.

The only thing that bothered me slightly was the lack of scars on her arm. It just feels like even in a film that is supposed to bring light to self harm and reduce stigma scars we’re still to out there to show. For the last six years I have been told by my own family that I need to cover my scars, hide them from children, hide them from friends parents because if they see they won’t want someone like me around their kids. I’ve been told that my body is mutilated for life, that I will never get a job looking the way I do, that I will never find someone who will date me because nobody likes looking at that. I’ve been told that I won’t have kids nor will I have a wedding. I have been told these things by one of the people who raised me, who brought me into this world. I have been told that if I ever were to show my arms in public when with my best friend of 7 years she would leave me because of all the staring. And I’ve been told that she would have the right to, because it’s not fair on others to have to be seen with me like that. I’ve been told never to show my arms in photos or I will destroy the picture. And comments like these are not uncommon for those with scars. It feels like everyone is understanding and accepting of people who struggle with SH only as long as they don’t need to see evidence of it. People act like SH scars need to come with a trigger warning. I can’t remember ever in my life seeing a character in a show or read of one in a book that casually has healed self harm scars that aren’t relevant to the story. You never see recovered people in media with SH scars. Actors who have them need to cover them up. And because of this it leaves little hope of getting better to the people in the midst of self harm, because recovery is never shown. I’m simply trying to say that acknowledging the existence of self harm scars is not going to far, it’s not to graphic, it’s healed skin. It’s life. If people really want to take away self harm stigma they need to show it for what it actually is. Not some sugar coated more idealistic version of it.

it’s really good to have this kind of representation out there on mental health issues and struggles that need to be talked about more

Josh, this was excellent. Truly. I am amazed by the actors. It was sensitive, but thank you for the courage to make a short like this.

"im here" SENT ME I START CRYING

I like how Kylie was smiling when downstairs, how she looked genuinely fine and happy

i luv this. but tip for the actress in the role of the mother, try to exaggerate more :) it feels a bit unnatural when you’re saying things like “ thats all i ever see you eat” putting intonation in the voice and exaggerating movements to a realistic amount can help lots! im not an actress but i am an animator and artist ❤❤❤

this was so good. especially the mom's acting

damn this made me shed more than a few tears man..was going back over 2020 - 2021 photo album and seeing me in long sleeves in the middle of summer and as a recovered sh it felt weird to remember i cann wear short sleeves now

I love the power in this. Very impactful, even to someone who has no personal experience with some of these topics. Bravo.

Okay but why is she so good at purging tho 😭 I'm jealous

the brother is the only good actor 😂. the mom is killing me 😭

Its so incredibly obvious that no one who wrote this has ever self harmed

"long sleeves again darling, my word child" "cocoa, chocolate" what award did this win? Josh, I would like a word

As someone who has been dealing with anorexia for 1 year and self harm for 2 years, everything about this is real.

The crying sounded like laughing-

The way I started sobbing and I don’t ever cry watching videos

how is this award winning omg 💀

this is actually so real. i genuinely almost cried

4:40 great angle! Very good short film in general.

I always love coming back to videos like this.

I loved this. The sugar comment got me. I wasn't expecting it and it was super realistic. Unrelated but when kylie was in her room I looked at the books (just being curious) and saw pjo books, whoever's room this was filmed in, you have good taste in books.

didnt expect this short to be so relatable

That cinematography wow this is very inspirational and memorable

This is so sad. Also I'm not surprised that this film won an award. it was really good!!

as some who never did the ‘valid type’ of sh, to struggling with it horribly always wearing long pants and sleeves never wanting to go outside and now to someone who ofc thought about relapsing but hasn’t for a year now (I always feel teary after realising this). i feel i’m the perfect example that it really does get better. It may not feel like it at that moment, that everything’s and everyone is rude and horrible but once you start helping yourself you’ll realise the world is beautiful, people are beautiful and there’s someone out there waiting for you, waiting for you to help yourself so they can push you just that little bit more. so you’ll finally feel happy. whatever happens you’re vaild for feeling this way, i’m proud of you for being here, being able to read this comment. the world sucks, ofc, but once you realise that this is only temporary, the pain you’re feeling is temporary, life becomes happier. if no one’s said it today, i’m proud of you. proud of you for being strong and fighting through this because there is a light at the end of the tunnel, it’s just up to you to find it.

This movie hits hard, I used to self harm and had anorexia for 5 years, the thoughts have never completely gone away, but they get a bit easier to control and deal with.

i am someone who has struggled with ed and sh and this was very very hard for me to watch. this short film is very relatable.

"goodness my child" god i cant the acting is killing me

As someone who sh on their arms, I love how this portrays about the need of wearing long sleeves, despite it being so uncomfortable. I usually wear long sleeves or shirts with sleeves that cover half of my arms. It's so annoying. It's like an addiction you can't stop, and I get incredibly jealous when someone is able to wear short sleeves. I've gotten so used to it that when my scars finally healed after weeks, I put on short sleeves only to feel so...naked. That's why I always wear long sleeves even if it feels like I'm going to pass out, so I love how this short film portrays that.

I've never had an Ed but this looks like a truly horrible and heartbreaking thing to go through... Edit: So some things have happened and I'm not doing to good.... I will be removing the part in my comment saying that I've never Sh... and I'm currently not to sure about the Ed

Her mom: i made you a sandwitch her: oh im not that hungry Her mom: Ok fine My mom: i made you a sandwitch Me: oh im not that hungry My mom: I made it so your eating it *angry noises*

4:41 this through the table shot is so powerful. nice work!

Omg I felt chills go down my back like three times and I was crying at “I’m here.”

This really shows the concept in an amazing film.

i wished i had a brother like that irl, when my ed was bad no one really cared much less noticed, when i opened up about it, it was brushed off and its now called " my eating moment"

i love how its also talking about eating disoerder and how hard it really is to just eat a cupcake

The fact that a lot of what she did like not eating and not going out much, I saw that I do that I do that and I've been struggling with my own battle recently as well just never forget there is always someone there for you even if you don't know it yet