Among several films screened at the Arkansas Cinema Society’s Filmland 2025, “Godhead,” was displayed as a student short film. The movie, which was loosely based on Writer-Director Jazymyne Black’s upbringing, examines the haunting side of tradition, internal conflict, grief and religion.

Black grew up in Arkansas, surrounded by family, and according to Producer Laura Bermejo Abellan, Black’s connection to the southern tradition is what helped this film come to life. 

“The haunting of religion and the weight of tradition and family values are themes that are present in the film and in Jazmyne’s art,” Bermejo Abellan said. 

According to Bermejo Abellan, religion shaped Black as a child, and that tradition became a power in itself as Black became an adult presented with decisions that she couldn’t make by herself. 

“Now, looking backwards, this movie is an ode and a memory reshaping itself, as a homage to [Black’s] origins but also as a warning for new generations to come,” Bermejo Abellan said. 

The movie, a psychological drama, follows Sharai (Irieon Smith), as she journeys through life after her father’s death. As an aspiring actress determined to leave her hometown, Sharai explores the haunting feeling in her home while questioning her mother’s religion. 

“We wanted to portray a situation that was really specific to [Black’s] experience, but that was universal, in a sense, for many other people to empathize with. We’re pretty sure it doesn’t matter where you’re from, tradition most likely would have been a part of your life at some point, and if you grew out of it, there is a big possibility that it pivoted from a privilege and into a burden. That is the balance we wanted to achieve,” Bermejo Abellan said. 

The film is set apart from other short films in this category because of the emotional journey behind it. Described by Bermejo Abellan as both “powerful” and “visceral,” she credits DP Masha Egorova for experienced cinematography, Dakota Gox for design and Smith and Fayley for their performances. 

“Godhead” began as a project for school, where Black and Bermejo Abellan were both pursuing their Master of Fine Arts at University of California Los Angeles. 

“The involvement of our peers and colleagues to make it happen was awesome and rewarding. I can’t thank everybody enough for giving their time, passion and knowledge and coming together with us believing in Jazmyne’s vision,” Bermejo Abellan said. “The balance between psychological thriller, horror and drama is a great blend I haven’t seen before, and Jazmyne had it clear since the very beginning.”

Bermejo Abellan is an international producer from Spain, who has been living in the United States, learning more about how movies and stories are shaped here. 

“What fascinates me the most is how it doesn’t matter where you’re coming from, America is a place where every voice matters and where artists from very different backgrounds come together to collaborate and partner along to give birth to awesome projects. I am grateful for having collaborated with Jazmyne, she is a filmmaker with a strong voice and “Godhead” has been a great experience to learn and advance our art together,” Bermejo Abellan said. 

For more information about “Godhead,” click here. 

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