
IN A WAR OVERSHADOWED BY THOSE THAT FOLLOWED,NO ONE NOTICED THE MOMENTS THAT MATTERED THE MOST
ALLEEN
FROM AN AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER
INDEPENDENT SHORT AWARDS
BEST WESTERN
SCREENCRITIX AWARDS
BEST FEATURE FILM
UK
FILM AWARDS
BEST WESTERN

Her War: a proof of concept short film
SYNOPSIS
Set in the last brutal year of the Second Boer War, Alleen follows Willemien, a young Afrikaans woman living a quiet life on an isolated farm with her husband Johan. Their world is simple, loving, and rooted deeply in faith — until Johan rides off in a bid to join the war effort, leaving her with a promise that he will return.
When British soldiers sweep through the countryside, burning farms and killing families, the war arrives at Willemien’s doorstep with unimaginable violence. A wounded neighbor brings word of atrocities, a lone English rider follows, and soon Willemien herself becomes the target of a roaming detachment led by a sadistic sergeant. Her home is invaded, her life shattered, and she is left beaten, traumatized, and alone.
Alleen is a story about a woman who refuses to be broken — a portrait of resilience, love tested by war, and the quiet power of someone who stands alone because no one else is left.
Meet the Team
The creative minds behind Alleen

Director of Photography
Graham Skinner
Graham Skinner is a Los Angeles-based cinematographer whose work spans independent features, narrative shorts, and commercials. He graduated from Biola University, where he developed a strong visual sensibility and foundational knowledge of lighting and camera work.
His credits include the feature Never Any Blue (2023) and the series Episodes from Apocalypse (2022). Known for his evocative lighting, strong compositional instincts, and agile approach to indie sets, Graham is adept at delivering cinematic visuals even with compact crews and lean schedules.
As the Director of Photography on your upcoming project Alleen, Graham brings a proven track record of crafting atmospheric imagery, shaping mood, and enhancing story through light and movement.
HIGHLAND PARK
INDEPENDENT FILM
FESTIVAL
AUDIENCE AWARD
LOS ANGELES
INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS
BEST
CINEMATOGRAPHY
NEWPORT BEACH
FILM FESTIVAL
OFFICIAL
SELECTION

Writer, Director
Charles Curtice
Charles Curtice is a filmmaker with a distinct voice in independent cinema—writing, directing, and producing projects that combine strong storytelling with striking visuals. His 2023 feature Never Any Blue marked a creative milestone, serving as writer, director, producer, and lead actor, and earning praise for its emotional weight and disciplined, efficient production.
He continued building his body of work with Her War (2025), a minimalist and emotionally charged short film shot with a micro-crew. The project was noted for its stark natural-light photography and its ability to deliver tension and humanity through quiet, restrained filmmaking.
Charles approaches every film with an auteur’s sensibility: he writes with character and mood at the forefront, directs with careful attention to framing and tone, and collaborates closely with his cinematographer and editor to shape each moment with purpose.
His upcoming period thriller Alleen represents his most ambitious project to date—a stripped-back, visceral story set in 1901 South Africa. With a growing body of acclaimed work and a dedicated creative team beside him, Charles continues to carve out a distinctive space in modern independent cinema.
SCREENCRITIX
AWARDS
BEST
FEATURE FILM
26TH ANNUAL BEVERLY HILLS FILM FESTIVAL
OFFICIAL
SELECTION
GLOW
INTERNATIONAL
BEST
PICTURE

Editor
Seth Dacio
Seth Dacio is an experienced editor and filmmaker with over eight years of professional work in video production and post-production.
A Filipino-American creative based in Los Angeles, Seth began his career on set and in edit suites, bringing a foundational technical understanding to each project he touches.
He has collaborated with emerging directors, cinematographers, and producers at institutions including UCLA, LMU and Chapman University, helping shape narrative and editorial workflows across a variety of formats.
Known for his precision, pacing, and ability to elevate story through rhythm and visual storytelling, Seth brings his editorial craft to every project to enhance emotional impact and narrative clarity.
PASADENA
INTERNATIONAL
FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER 2023
INDEPENDENT
SHORT AWARDS
GOLD AWARD
INDIE
SHORTFEST
AWARD WINNER

Producer, Actress
Anna Greene
Anna Greene was raised in Stellenbosch, she moved to the U.S. to tell stories on a global scale, bringing with her a rich cultural background and a natural ability to connect deeply with audiences.
Her work spans drama, thriller, and romance, including award-winning independent films and streaming features. Anna is known for portraying complex, emotionally vibrant women — characters with ambition, real flaws, fire, and deep humanity.
Collaborators describe her as intuitive, dedicated, bubbly, and “the kind of actress who makes you feel emotion without having to say a word.” She’s also the founder of Hornlight Studios, a creative home for stories that shine light on the unseen and give voice to the unheard.
Driven and grounded, Anna believes in the power of film to inspire empathy and change. She’s here, she’s ready, and she’s just getting started.
TORONTO FILM MAGAZINE FEST
WINNER
BEST ACTRESS
48 FILM COMPETITON LOS ANGELES NOMINEE
BEST SUPPORTING
ACTRESS
INDIE SHORT
AWARDS
HONORABLE
MENTION
BEST ACTING DUO

Producer, Actor
Joe Falck
Joe Falck is a South African actor and creative professional with over two decades of experience across film, television, theatre, and live performance. He began his career in 2002 and holds a BA Degree in Drama and Performance from Stellenbosch University. His credits span South African and international productions, including Black Sails (Netflix/Starz), 7de Laan, Die Preek, The Man on the Balcony, Wandering in Da Nang, and numerous commercial campaigns.
In addition to his on-screen work, Joe has built a strong presence behind the camera. He served as voice coach and part of the directing team on the award-winning documentary Vietnam: Fast Forward (HAAPIFEST 2021 Best Documentary Feature; Borrego Springs Film Festival 2022 People’s Choice), and his narration on Arm Me For Peace earned an International Emmy Award nomination in 2021. Having produced across South Africa and Southeast Asia, Joe brings a rare blend of performance, production insight, and international perspective.
Coming from a family of South African historians and philosophers, the themes explored in Alleen hold deep personal meaning for him. He approaches the project with both respect for its history and gratitude for the opportunity to help bring it to life.
INTERNATIONAL
EMMY AWARDS
NOMINEE
BEST
SHORT FILM
HAAPIFEST FILM
FESTIVAL
WINNER
BEST DOCU
BORREGO SPRINGS
FILM FESTIVAL
PEOPLES CHOICE
AWARD

BEFORE ALLEEN: THE REVIEWS
“Director of Photography Graham Skinner deserves special mention for his extraordinary work here. … Filmed in natural light with a crew of just six people, Her War manages to look more cinematic than many full‑length features.”
Her War
ScreenCritix.com
“Despite the tight turnaround during filming and post‑production … the film shows no signs of being a rushed job but rather a testament to some incredible hard work and intricate planning.”
Never Any Blue
indyreviews.com
“In an age of noisy blockbusters and digital spectacle, Her War reminds us that the most powerful moments in cinema are often the quietest, and the most profound truths can emerge not from victory but from vulnerability.”
Her War
ScreenCritix.com
