Moon's yellow smile (short film)

Help me tell the story of Edgar who is going through a period of change and personal discovery. I really believe in cinema as a therapeutic art and this film could be exactly that for me.

Hello, I'm Gonçalo, a passionate filmmaker and I want to invite you to be part of a meaningful cinematic journey through "Moon's yellow smile" .

Synopsis: "Moon's yellow smile"
Edgar, a man in his thirties, wanders through life consumed by an inner conflict from which he cannot escape. This time he bids farewell to Rome, yet another city on his list. Fearing the routine and the expectations imposed on him, he seeks refuge in constant movement, traveling from country to country, escaping the weight of unresolved emotions. On this journey without a destination, Edgar is unaware of the feeling of isolation, disconnected from everything that is familiar to him, but at the same time yearning for a deeper connection.
His life becomes a delicate balance between running away and facing what he has left behind—his past, his relationships, and ultimately, the person he has become. The film reflects on the universal human experience of searching for meaning in an ever-changing world, and the paradox of running away in an attempt to find freedom.
Through Edgar’s journey, “Moon's yellow smile” explores the themes of identity, self-reflection, and the fear of confronting the truth. It is a meditation on the cost of perpetual motion and the realization that sometimes the answers we seek may have been within us all along.

Altare della Patria em movimento

Fontana di Trevi em movimento

This short film explores the complex inner world of Edgar, a young man caught between his fear of routine and his search for deeper meaning. As he moves from country to country, escaping the weight of his own unresolved emotions, Edgar struggles with the universal desire for connection and the loneliness that comes with disconnecting from everything familiar. It is a reflection on what it means to live in constant movement, to be both the protagonist and the observer of our own lives and, ultimately, the realization that running away may not always bring the freedom we seek.

Pantheon em movimento

This project has a personal meaning for me. It’s not just a story about Edgar, but also about the journey I’ve experienced as an artist, a traveler, and a human being. It’s about examining how we often run away from our inner selves, looking for validation or meaning from outside, when the answers may already be within us.

But to bring this story to life, I need your help.

Like other previous projects, this one is also independent and low-budget. Still, I believe that all participants should receive something, a contribution that is not only symbolic but that gives strength to their collaboration. I will once again take on the role of several components of the production, from director, cinematographer and editor. But I really want to contribute to the cast and the small crew that will help me. We have worked hard to create something meaningful and, with your support, we can ensure a cohesive and profound result.

Your support will help secure the resources needed to execute this vision and share Edgar's journey with the audience that needs to hear it.

Thank you for believing in this story and helping bring it to life.

Piazza Navona em movimento

About the author

Hello, I'm Gonçalo, from Monchique (Algarve) and when I was 11 years old I watched Kubrick's great work, 2001: A Space Odyssey, for the first time. It was then that I better understood what cinema was and that it fascinated me so much. 14 years later I decided that it was the only thing I wanted to do professionally. I lived in Romania and Poland where I developed my sense of observation and creativity. I returned to Lisbon to study cinema at the Lusófona University, where I deepened my writing and directing skills. I made some award-winning short films and took part in some national and international festivals. This film has a strong connection with the period I'm going through, but I believe it's not just for me, but for all those who are searching for something bigger and more truthful, no matter how difficult the path may be.

Budget and due dates

The budget will be mostly used to pay the actors and production team. All the equipment will be provided by myself and I will also be in charge of all the post-production. I am planning on shooting for 4 days, including food. Filming is scheduled for April 2025. With 3 to 4 months of post-production, I hope to finish the film around September/October 2025.

In this way, the budget will be briefly divided into:
- Actors = 600€
- Team = 300€
- Food = 200€
- Props + Travel = 200€
 

Images