VILLAGE MART
2025
Village Mart is a short film that follows a Taiwanese international student facing prejudice during her first shift at a grocery store. As the Cinematographer, Editor, and Colorist, I developed the film’s visual language to reflect her emotional journey, from discomfort and isolation to empathy and renewal. My approach focused on naturalistic lighting, handheld camerawork, and a restrained color palette to keep the story grounded in realism. The film was praised for its authentic tone, cohesive visuals, and emotional impact during its screening at The Royal Theatre in Toronto (September 2025).
Director: Maria Zvezdina
Roles: Cinematographer, Editor, Colorist
Softwares: DaVinci Resolve Studio, Adobe Premier Pro
Equipment: Sony FX3
Project Status:
Type: Short
Genre: Drama
Updated as of: October 14, 2025
STILLS FROM THE FILM:
In-Production
In Post-Production
Completed