In The Off Season We Prey

A Dystopian Folk Horror

Mika Banafsheh Shigematsu

Film Synopsis: In the desolate aftermath of World War III, four siblings struggle to survive the unforgiving Canadian landscape, racing to secure food before winter brings certain death. 

Duration – 9:33

Artist’s Statement:  Born into a family of artists and immigrants, storytelling has always been a part of my practice. Creating from a young age. I seek to showcase aspects of the human experience and highlight underrepresented communities.

My current work follows a Central Asian and Middle Eastern inspired nomadic family, directly influenced by my own cultural heritage. Struggling to survive in the rural Canadian landscape, post ww3,  they race to find food before winter falls. The project explores themes relevant to countries like Iran and its government, control, displacement, and what people do when the systems around them collapse.

Written and Directed by
Mika Banafsheh
Produced by
Bon Suzuki

Assistant Directors
1st Assistant Director – Matisse Filotto
2nd Assistant Director (Day 1) – Valerie Ni Shun Chen
2nd Assistant Director (Day 2) – Izzy

Cast
Ruth – Larasati Maranda
Elijah – Taizo Shigematsu
Dolly – Saskya Dawa
Jane – Sunya Dawa
Bella – Sekoya Martz-Budgell
Jessie – Kai Lium-Hall
Austin – Brayden Fraser
Carson – Kaitaro Martz-Budgell

Camera & Electrical Department
Director of Photography– Son Vu (Sammy)
B Cam Operator (Day 1)– Thomas Farstad
B Cam Operator (Day 2) – Ryan Nguyen
1st Assistant Camera – Talon Wood
2nd Assistant Camera – Thomas Farstad

Gaffer – Bon Suzuki
Key Grip – Nora Zheng
Best Boy – Jeanne Marie David
Swing – Manolo Felix-Bower

Sound Department
Production Sound Mixer – Gustavo Dias
Boom Operator – Brayden Fraser

Art Department
Production Designer – Racheal Marliss
Prop Master – Hayden Lim
Art Department– Tia Selinger

Costume Department
Costume Designer – Sao Khue
Costume Supervisor – Izzy Seow

Production Team
Location Manager – Russian Pan
Key Production Assistant – Poppy Suro
Key Production Assistant – Steven Sang
Production Assistant – Natasha Putrisimanjuntak

Catering
Sponserd by Bahareh Shigematsu

Makeup Department
Makeup Artist – Michelle Mara

Editorial
Editor – Brayden Fraser
Colourist – Sammy Vu
Sound Designer – Gustavo Dias
Music by – Jonathan Shim
Campfire song – Mika Banfsheh

Special Thanks
Bahareh Shigematsu
Jonathan Tammuz
Harry Killas
Allison Hrabluik
Tarique Qayumi
Steven Hu
Media Resources
FMSA
Jimmy Mai
Sparkies Lighting Rentals
Hugh Film Rentals
Pohan Su
Zarah Martz
Aranka Anema