Short Film
THE WATER BETWEEN - MOM
Details
Union:
Union or Non union
Area of media:
Short Film
Network:
Paid?:
Yes
Rates:
ACTRA INDEPENDENT PRODUCTION AGREEMENT (AIP) - Please note that this short film has an AIP budget and is approved under the AIP agreement with all conditions and terms, with the rates assigned. All supporting roles in this short film are budgeted as local hires in Montreal. Please submit accordingly. Non-Union Performers are encouraged to submit.
Deadline:
Aug 4, 2026
Shooting starts:
Aug 30, 2026 
Shooting finishes:
Sept 1, 2026 2 Day Shoot - 1 weather contingency day on Sept 1
Shooting locations:
Montreal and surrounding area.
Cities for response:
Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa
Comments
Thank you for having your Performer self tape for the short film ‘The Water Between’. Written by Executive Producer Bill Robinson, this short film - adapted from his published short story, is designed with a festival-first trajectory, targeting premiere platforms such as Sundance, Cannes, and TIFF. It is an intimate, character-driven piece that unfolds over a single summer afternoon, told closely through the perspective of a young girl.

At its core, the film explores a quiet but profound moment of transition: a mother, facing her own mortality, attempts, through action rather than words, to prepare her daughters for a life that will continue without her. What begins as a simple outing gradually reveals itself as something deeper: an unspoken lesson in resilience, independence, and the necessity of confronting fear.

The film engages with universal themes of loss, separation, and emotional inheritance. It examines how strength is not taught directly, but absorbed, often in fleeting, unexpected moments. The goal is to create a piece that is both restrained and emotionally resonant, trusting the audience to find meaning in behavior, silence, and image rather than exposition.

We are seeking to position the film within top-tier festivals that champion nuanced, visually driven storytelling, with the aim of connecting with audiences through its subtlety, authenticity, and lasting emotional impact.
Storyline
Following a quiet medical reckoning, a mother’s impulsive trip to the lake pushes her youngest daughter toward a first act of courage, as fear, love, and freedom collide in a single summer afternoon.
Roles
Role typeRoleGender & Age range
LeadMOMFemale 35 - 47 Years old
Description
MOM - Female 35 - 47 [Lead]
Composed, warm, and quietly withholding, she carries herself with a natural ease that masks exhaustion and something unspoken beneath. Not impulsive by nature, she lives within the boundaries expected of her, until, on this single summer day, she chooses to break from them. Faced with her own mortality, she reaches for a fleeting moment of freedom, both for herself and as a final, unspoken lesson to her daughters: to impart that with adversity comes strength.

PRODUCTION NOTES: This role requires a performer with a valid driver's license, and who is a confident swimmer - able to do the backstroke; significant scenes are filmed outdoors at a lake in August with some being in the water. A certified lifeguard will be present at all times during water scenes. This role includes scenes requiring implied nudity, handled with care and absolute discretion, and full consent protocols in place. Details will be discussed with the actor prior to any filming. Nudity Rider required as per ACTRA.