Filmmaker Statement

We created The Dream Machine as our debut short film to explore how we often turn to quick and seemingly simple solutions to fix our problems, without realizing that they’re often deeply rooted within us. Insomnia is a clear example—a desperate quest for sleep that leads to trying everything from sleeping pills to, in this case, a machine that promises perfect rest. Through this film, we aim to show how the dream of an easy fix can quickly turn into a nightmare. Our fascination with the thriller, mystery, and sci-fi genres inspired us, along with our aesthetic attraction to the early 2000s, which greatly influences the film’s atmosphere. The short film format allowed us to scale down and focus on the claustrophobic tension, making sure the audience truly feels the pressure and confinement as the story unfolds.