“Filmmaker Imole Ladipo Talks Psychological Thriller Short Film 8:38: “It’s A Love Letter To Memory, and a Cry for What’s Lost When It Slips”

Nigerian-born, American-based filmmaker Imole Ladipo continues to make an impact in film with her upcoming psychological thriller short film 8:38. After captivating audiences with What Happens Now?, a powerful short film that explores grief, justice, and forgiveness, the award-winning filmmaker returns with her latest masterpiece.

As founder of Lumiere Films, Ladipo is committed to creating meaningful, unforgettable films that honor the beauty and complexity of the human experience.

“8:38 is a story that lives in my bones. It’s a psychological thriller, yes, but for me, it’s something far more intimate. I made this film from a place of truth and heartbreak, drawn from the quiet devastation of watching my grandmother slowly lose her memory.

One day she looked me in the eye and didn’t know who I was. That moment has never left me. The fear in her face, the confusion, the silence — it haunted me. It still does,” Ladipo says.

Unfolding over eight minutes, 8:38 follows May Wang, who wakes in a shadowy, unfamiliar house with no memory of how she arrived. Her only lifeline is an emergency phone call to Daniel, a calm yet increasingly unsettling voice on the other end of the line.

As whispers intensify, shadows close in, and a menacing figure advances, May races to reconstruct fragments of her identity. What begins as an urgent escape becomes a confrontation with a deeper truth tied to family, grief, and the mind’s darkest protections.

Ladipo recently sat down with Sheen Magazine to discuss the success of award-winning short film 8:38, what it was like joining her peers at the Cannes Film Festival, the type of impact she wants her films to have on culture, and her responsibility as a filmmaker with a global presence.

Talk about the experience of joining your peers at the Cannes Film Festival and the success of 8:38. What did you learn and how will you use that platform in the future? 

“Screening 8:38 at the Cannes Short Film Corner was a surreal and humbling experience. As an independent filmmaker, you spend years creating in uncertainty, so being surrounded by storytellers from all over the world reminded me that cinema truly transcends borders.

One of the biggest lessons I took away from Cannes is that authenticity matters. Audiences connect with truth more than perfection. I also learned the importance of building relationships and community within the industry. Film is not a solo journey.

The success of 8:38 has given me confidence to continue telling stories that may not always follow conventional paths. I hope to use the visibility from Cannes and our festival journey to continue creating opportunities for underrepresented voices and to bring more attention to films that lead with empathy and humanity.”

What type of impact do you want your films to have on the culture? 

“I hope my films encourage people to see each other differently. I want audiences to leave feeling something deeply, whether that is empathy, hope, healing, or even difficult conversations that need to happen.

As a Black female filmmaker, I am passionate about telling stories that expand representation while reminding us of our shared humanity. I believe films have the power to bring people together, challenge assumptions, and create understanding across cultures.

If someone leaves one of my films feeling less alone, more hopeful, or more compassionate toward another person, then I feel I have succeeded.”

As a creator of films that resonate globally, what responsibility do you feel you have as a filmmaker? 

“I believe filmmakers carry a tremendous responsibility because stories shape how we see ourselves and each other. For me, that responsibility is rooted in hope, faith, and human connection.

I want to create films that remind people that kindness still matters, that healing is possible, and that our differences do not have to divide us. I never want to create stories simply for shock value. I want them to have heart.

I want them to start conversations and perhaps even offer comfort to someone who needs it. At the end of the day, I believe cinema is one of the few places where strangers can sit together in the dark and feel the same emotions. That is powerful, and I never take that privilege for granted.”

Ladipo’s next short film, The Woman on the Other Side, a 10-minute drama thriller starring Angel Parker (The Rookie) and Sarah Siadat (Grown-ish), explores instinct, fear, and female solidarity.

The intimate, gripping, and deeply resonant short film comes to life through the story of a woman who steps in to protect a stranger in a public space by pretending they know each other.

To date, Ladipo’s work has been screened at the Cannes Film Festival, the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, and AFRIFF. She has earned a Gold Remi Award at WorldFest Houston as well as a Telly Award.

For more information on Imole Ladipo and Lumiere Films, visit: www.imoleladipo.com.

Photos courtesy of Lumiere Films