Film

Blood Ties

Izzy Seow

Duration: 10m 05s

Medium: Live-Action

Genre: Drama, Character-Driven Narrative

Trailer

Synopsis

Prompted by the disappearance of their mother, estranged sisters Cait and Elle must reunite to find her. Cait, loyal as ever, is ready to go; but Elle remains reluctant due to her complicated relationship with their mother.

Sisters Cait and Elle are experts on the law – but not in the way you’d expect. They have only known the revenge-filled life their mother has led, involved in the family business since a young age. Cait, the eldest, is obligated to follow in their mother’s footsteps. Elle, however, wishes for a life free of their mother’s control and expectations. Confiding in her sister, the two hatch a plan to allow Elle to escape from under Mara’s thumb. Two years later, Mara disappears. When she fails to return home and is not answering her phone, Cait must reluctantly pull Elle from her new life to help look for their mother.

Artist Statement

Character-focused narratives are one of my favourite formats to work with. Here, we’re focused on Cait and Elle’s relationship, and how it’s changed over the years, as well as how it’s changed with time and distance. Part of a larger story, this section was chosen for its ability to explore the past relationship of the sisters, and to also rediscover their bond. Each sister is near diametrically opposed to one other: Cait a loyal soldier to their mother’s business, a confident woman whose façade hides a scared child; and Elle a brash, rebellious young woman, who is not blinded by familial obligations and their mother’s control. As we move between the present and the shared memories of the sisters, the aspect ratio changes from cinemascope (2.35:1) to fullscreen (4:3), which aids in identifying the chronology of the story.

Stills

Credits

Writer: Izzy Seow

Director: Izzy Seow

1st Assistant Director: Kayleigh Davidson

Directors of Photography:

Tomás Herrera

Alexandra Ostroushko

Izzy Seow

1st Assistant Camera: ChenKai Shou

Gaffer: Alexandra Ostroushko

Grip: Tommy Peng

Sound Mixer & Boom Op: Lorrainne Alegado

Wardrobe: Ashley Lor

Hair & Make-Up: Ashley Lor & Izzy Seow

Production Design: Kamilė Višnevskaja

Production Assistant: Kiana Bennett

Editor: Izzy Seow

Colourist: Ethan Yung

Sound Designer & Re-Recording Mixer: Lennox Johnston-Yu

Composer: Samantha Lum

Driver: Kazuko Canela Zazueta

Special Thanks:

Emily Carr University of Art + Design

Allison Hrabluik

Harry Killas

Tarique Qayumi

Matt Stephanson

GoFundMe Donors

Cast

VICTORIA MOO

Whether it’s diving into a complex character or hitting a cinematic high note, Victoria Moo is all about the art of the story. They bring a grounded presence to character-driven narratives and are currently channeling that same creative spark into their growth as a singer with a uniquely cinematic voice.

TAYLOR CHOW

Taylor Chow is an actor and filmmaker based in Vancouver, drawn to stories that feel real, immediate, and emotionally charged. Her work is rooted in instinct—capturing quiet moments, unresolved tension, and the complexities of human connection. Whether in front of or behind the camera, she creates with one goal in mind: to make people feel something that lingers even after the screen fades to black.

AMANDA STEED

Amanda Steed is a versatile actor known for her grounded, natural performances across film and commercial work. With a strong on-camera presence and a dedication to character-driven storytelling, she brings authenticity and emotional depth to every role. She is committed to continuous growth, regularly training and creating work that reflects her interest in authentic, human storytelling.