A dream figure I once feared. A story I had to tell.
This ai short film / ai horror short film explores the strange space between sleep and waking. A story shaped by lucid dreaming, sleep paralysis, and the presence of shadow figures. Inspired by personal experiences and dream journals, the film was created in collaboration with Ukrainian artist Nika, whose haunting figure sparked the core visual theme.
If you’ve experienced sleep paralysis yourself, maybe this can offer a new perspective. Or a new way of listening.
When images by Nika appeared in my instagram feed, I was immediately reminded of a darker chapter in my lucid dreaming journey, one shaped by sleep paralysis and the strange, often frightening overlap between the dreaming and waking world.
I reached out to her and asked if she’d like to collaborate, sharing images of one of her shadow figures so I could build a story around it. One that mirrors my own experience and, as I should learn shortly after: Her’s, too.
After diving deep into old dream journals and forgotten memories, this is what emerged.
Sleep paralysis is a state where your body is still asleep, but your mind has already woken up.
You’re aware, but you can’t move.
Sometimes it feels like there’s someone else in the room. Sometimes it feels like they’re right on top of you.
It’s terrifying when you don’t know what’s happening.
But over time, I learned it’s just a crossing point.
A doorway.
And maybe… an invitation.