Elysian

Written and Directed by Lily Nold

Elysian is an experimental short film written and directed by Lily Nold. Set within a dreamlike, non-linear landscape, the film follows Eden, a twenty-something navigating a reality that feels both absurd and familiar. Through fragmented sequences and heightened visual language, the film explores themes of gender identity, sexuality, mental health, body image, and the uncertainty of transition from adolescence into adulthood.

Prioritizing mood and emotional experience over traditional narrative structure, Elysian uses surreal set design, unconventional cinematography, and symbolic props to transform everyday spaces into ethereal environments. Eden remains the only identifiable figure, surrounded by masked and shadowed entities that blur the boundaries between self, society, and perception.

Rooted in a desire to expand queer representation in contemporary media, Elysian creates space for nonconformity and ambiguity. The film embraces disorientation as a reflection of identity formation, inviting audiences—particularly queer young adults—to sit with uncertainty rather than resolve it.

Status: In Post-Production