Crying Backwards

Crying Backwards is a short film about loss, reinvention, and the quiet beauty of starting over—told through music, movement, and the magic of cinema. 

Fleeing a painful past, Nico travels from Spain to New Zealand to start over, but when a vibrant young actress pulls him into an ambitious student musical film competition, he’s forced to face his fears, open up to new friendships, and rediscover the spark of storytelling that might just heal him.

Who’s Directing This Project?

Javier Sánchez Sánchez

Kia Ora, I’m Javier Sánchez Sánchez, the writer and director of Crying Backwards.

I’m currently in my final year of Audiovisual Communication at Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, and I’ve also trained as an actor at the drama school Work in Progress. I’m represented by Kailash and have experience both behind and in front of the camera.

Over the past few years, I’ve written and directed several short films, including Detrás del cuadro, a period drama, and La Colina, which is currently nominated for Best Screenplay at the ¡Y Corten! Festival.

With Crying Backwards, I’m stepping into my most ambitious project yet—one that blends emotional depth, creative collaboration, and an international perspective. As the head of this project, I’m committed to leading a team of passionate young artists and bringing this story to life with care, vision, and heart.

Edward Rice:

Kia Ora, my name is Edward Rice and I have joined Crying Backwards as the director. When Javier contacted me about this project, I was immediately hooked. The film combines a deep and meaningful narrative, with a visual style and score that will take the audience on an  entertaining antipodal journey.

When I was seven years old, a short film festival was established in my hometown. After entering that and making my first film, I knew that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. In the years since, I have worked on many short films, honing my craft. This journey brought me to Wellywood where I joined Massey University to study Film. So far this has enabled me to collaborate with many talented creatives on a wide variety of projects.

Our crew on this project is a combination of local talent and experienced professionals that are all committed to producing something truly special. I cannot wait to bring Crying Backwards to the screen!

The Team:

Director: Javier Sánchez Sánchez & Edward Rice

Writer: Javier Sánchez Sánchez

Producer: Andrew Suntanaraj

Production Assistant: Gemma Lew

DOP: Sebastian Boyes

First AD: Adam Gregory

Production Designer: Eva-Marie Hartmann

Costume Designer: Aditi Tiwari

Art Assistant: Noah White

Script Supervisor: Kaitlyn Monti-Ellery

Sound Technican: Rain Senefili

Boom Mic Operator: Jean Thoral

Sound Mixer: Reece Hughes

Why Crowdfunding?

Because this is an indie project made by emerging creators, crowdfunding allows us to maintain creative freedom and build a community around the story from the very beginning. Your support will go directly into making this film possible. 

Here's a breakdown of how we'll use the funds:

• Equipment rental (camera, sound, lighting)
• Production design (costumes, locations, props)
• Music licensing and original composition
• Paying cast & crew (many of whom are volunteering their time or working for reduced rates)
• Post-production (editing, colour grading, sound mix)
• Festival submissions and promotion

Every contribution, no matter how small, brings us closer to telling this story with the care and quality it deserves.

We’re a group of young, passionate filmmakers, creating this project with heart, hope, and limited resources. Crying Backwards was born from personal experience: the feeling of being far from home, of having to start over in unfamiliar places, and of finding unexpected healing through connection and creativity.

This short film is our way of turning those feelings into something universal and cinematic. With your help, we can make it real.

Your support is a tribute to the emotional truth of those who leave behind everything familiar, to start over in a new land. We are telling these stories with raw honesty, and deep empathy—because they matter. They reveal what it means to rebuild identity across languages, landscapes, and generations. They ask us all to reconsider the meaning of home, of family, of humanity.

Your support will also be backing the rise of talented emerging filmmakers from Wellington! Most of our crew are local talent and experienced professionals that all fully believe in the heart of this project and are excited for what is in store in the future. By backing Crying Backwards you will be giving back to the community and helping us filmmakers find our own voice.

Thank you for supporting Crying Backwards!!

Ngā mihi 

Javier, Eddie, Andrew