In this talk, I’ll screen Beak Quiet, my 132-second animated short, and share the process behind its creation, from the first idea to the final frame. I’ll talk about building a micro-narrative, working with no budget, and the learning curve of directing my first short: the mistakes, challenges, and decisions that shaped the film. I’ll also reflect on the importance of having a strong team, how collaboration helps when things aren’t clear, and what it takes to guide a group of artists through an independent production. Finally, I’ll touch on persistence, continuing even when things don’t work, and the film’s journey to its debut at Monstra 2026, where it received an award.