Award of Merit – “Beauty is Pain” (USA)

Title: Beauty is Pain
Runtime: 7 min
Country: USA
Director: James Moriarty 
Placement: Award of Merit + Best Concept Art (Ariana Martino)
Competition: March, 2023

Synopsis: The story takes place in a dystopian future where the more body modifications you have, the higher up you are in the community. You receive these modifications through treatments. The main character, Claire (18), receives her first treatment, however, she is tempted by greed and vain while the doctor steps away. The consequences of her actions results in intense hallucinations and death.