A Positive Contribution is a dystopian short film that explores the themes of truth and oppression in a post-truth world. The sci-fi thriller asks questions about how conflicting realities collide under a totalitarian regime. Propaganda is said to be a form of brainwashing, but in this world, that brainwashing is literal. The film is subtle and character-driven with uneasy and menacing undertones. It makes the audience question what exactly is the truth in a world where nothing is certain. It’s Severance meets Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind meets 1984 meets The Handmaid’s Tale.

A Positive Contribution (APC) was originally a short story written by New Zealand-based writer Bree Mitchell and later adapted into a short film by Heather McQuaid. 

I was looking for a new project to direct, and when I stumbled upon Heathers script I was immediately intrigued by it. I’m a big fan of simple and effective storytelling, where you can build a whole world with just one scene, one location and a few actors, and that’s exactly what APC does.