Filmmaker Juan Zuloaga Eslait‘s short film about a young girl’s hidden secret is a masterclass in the art of the slow reveal. Before the Winter tells a wholly absorbing story of protecting the ones you love no matter how dark their secret is. Winner of the Outstanding Directorial Achievement Award at the Directors Guild of America Student Film Awards, Eslait’s talent shines throughout this 15-minute short. Next up, the film is screening at the 2025 Cleveland International Film Festival.

A Journal Containing Dark Secrets Is Cause for Concern

May (Venice Wong) is a middle school-age girl who writes as a form of expression. Within the pages of her diary, she recounts her home life in poetically devastating detail. One afternoon, her diary falls into the hands of her well-meaning but nosy teacher, Mrs. Lee (Lauren Bjel). As Mrs. Lee reads on, May’s once-hidden secrets begin to spill out from the pages.

The audience is transported into May’s home. We witness May’s mother’s desperation to care for the sick family cat. Her mother works night shifts and even resorts to some questionable activities where strange men enter her bedroom late at night. Mrs. Lee feels a sense of obligation to protect May from her situation. However, when Mrs. Lee speaks to May’s mother, she disputes some key details. This leaves us to wonder: Who is really hiding the truth?

Stunning Cinematography and Strong Performances

Before the Winter embodies a high-quality richness that looks aesthetically similar to a studio-backed film. The color grade, costume design, and casting are standout elements that give the film a professional appearance. Venice Wong does a lot of emotional heavy lifting as May, and her performance is applaud-worthy. Cinematographer Zhen Donny Li captures every shot with empathy and precision. His attention to detail, especially in the mirror shots and in-camera manipulation, is both technically advanced and just plain fun to watch.

Takeaway

Director Juan Zuloaga Eslait took a risk by breaking the golden rule of filmmaking in Before the Winter. He made a film that included not only children but also an animal. However, he makes this otherwise difficult casting challenge look easy. Bringing screenwriter Flora Wengu Jiang’s vision to life, Before the Winter is a commendable short film for all involved.