LUNCH

When their eccentric mother, Jacque, announces she has terminal cancer and wishes to be euthanized as part of her final art piece, two estranged sisters—pragmatic Cooper and free-spirited Mava—are thrust into an impossible decision. Over a chaotic lunch filled with secrets, rivalries, and revelations, the sisters grapple with Jacque’s unconventional request and their own unresolved tensions.

Cooper, a high-strung professional hiding her own secrets, including an unexpected pregnancy, struggles to maintain control while clashing with Mava, a social media influencer whose carefree facade masks deep insecurities. As Jacque revels in her theatrical announcement, the sisters are forced to confront questions of life, death, and family legacy.

Darkly comedic and emotionally charged, “Lunch” is a story about navigating the complexities of familial love, the weight of responsibility, and the unexpected ways we find connection amid chaos. With a blend of sharp humor and poignant drama, it captures the messy, beautiful, and often absurd moments that define family life.

SHORT FILM, 2025 RELEASE

DIRECTOR, PRODUCER & EDITOR — MARIA NOVA

FOEIGRAS

SHORT FILM, 2022

DIRECTOR, PRODUCER, WRITER, EDITOR —MARIA NOVA

In “Foiegras,” a young woman, J (played by Alice Dardenne), stands on the cusp of adulthood, grappling with the delicate unraveling of her identity. Set within the confines of her parents’ home, the film explores J’s journey of transformation as she navigates the weight of hidden truths and unfulfilled desires.

When a long-guarded secret is whispered into her ear—that she is adopted—J’s world shatters. Furious and disillusioned, she struggles with the revelation that the foundation of her family has been built on a lie. As she contemplates her fractured sense of belonging, J becomes increasingly consumed by a fantasy involving a wealthy and enigmatic neighbor. This figure, more a product of her vivid imagination than reality, represents both her longing for connection and her inner turmoil.

“Foiegras” juxtaposes themes of lust, truth, and the deprivation of love, painting a poignant and raw portrait of a young woman on the verge of self-discovery. Maria Nova weaves an intricate narrative of familial bonds, betrayal, and the fantasies we create to fill emotional voids, crafting a haunting and evocative story of longing and self-realization.

“Foiegras” (2020) – Cast and Crew

Director and Editor:

Maria Nova (credited as Marija Miseviciute)

Writers:

Maria Nova (credited as Marija Miseviciute)

Catherine Yeats

Cast:

Alice Dardenne (credited as Alice Regnouf) as J

Clare Almond (credited as Claire Almond) as Grandmother

Jonathan Curry

Producer:

Maria Nova (credited as Marija Nova)

Catherine Yeats

Director of Photography:

Will Humphris

LIKE FOAM

SHORT FILM, 2020

DIRECTOR, WRITOR, PRODUCER — MARIA NOVA

“Like Foam” is a poignant drama that delves into family lies and betrayal. The story follows a young woman as she begins to uncover the layers of deception woven by her beloved father throughout her upbringing. Confronted with the painful truth, she is forced to reevaluate her understanding of the world. As she navigates through the darkness of betrayal, she embarks on a journey to find hope and rediscover meaning in a fractured reality.

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