Short Film AFIN 032
The Tattooed Heart
Directed by 
Sheldon Wong Schwartz
AFIN 2019 Winner
- 2019
- 9m
-
USA - English
- Thriller
- Suspense
- Drama
Stills
2 frames
Part of this film's cast or crew? Let us know to add or correct credits, genres or details. Filmmaker sign-in opens with the claim email at Awards Night, 19 September 2026.
Credits
Written by
Produced by
- On IMDb
- Full cast & crew
Synopsis
A creative writing instructor (Jennifer Morrison, "Once Upon a Time") at a juvenile detention center finds common ground with a troubled student (Madison Wolfe, "I Kill Giants") yet quickly finds herself in great danger when she decides to help her.
Director's Statement
Tattooed Heart highlights one woman's choice to face adversity head on, and the consequences of that decision. It is a short film about triumph over tragedy that I relate to in my personal life, and I am excited to share this visceral journey with the audience.
From the Judges
From the Judges
It made a strong impression on the panel, a compact and tightly built piece of screen storytelling handled with real assurance behind the camera. The performances landed as powerful and wonderful, with a casting choice that anchors the whole thing. Taking on difficult, painful territory, this short carries its craft with confidence and comes through as quality work.
Director's Biography
Sheldon Wong Schwartz Director
The half Chinese Schwartz started his career from an early age, graduating high school 4 years early and starting California State University, Los Angeles at age 13. While at CSULA, he kept himself busy as a 3D animator and programmer for NASA until he graduated at 18. But that couldn’t keep Sheldon from his true passion: filmmaking. Sheldon helmed his first major production- the award-winning World War 2 short film “The Bridge”, which helped him transition to commercial directing. After a stint directing commercials for global brands like Lenovo and Samsung, Sheldon spent three years working with DJI - the world leader in consumer drone technology - where he directed multiple video campaigns shot in over 15 countries. Sheldon is represented by Jay Glazer at Roar, and Greg Pedicin at the Gersh Agency. He currently resides in Hong Kong.
Trailer
Fuller cast & crew
William Allen Young Director
Details and imagery from The Movie Database This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB.
Official laurels
Each recognition carries a permanent, verifiable AFIN credential - a link a filmmaker can put on a CV - plus a downloadable laurel for posters and press kits.
Nominee toolkit
Everything you need to share and credit this recognition.
Ready-made announcement
Copy this for your socials, newsletter or press kit.
The Tattooed Heart was Winner of Best Actress at the AFIN International Film Festival 2019, a Top 100 Best Reviewed and IMDb-qualifying festival.
Add it to IMDb
IMDb adds festival awards from the festival's event page, not from your film's page.
- Open the AFIN International Film Festival event page on IMDb and choose the 2019 edition.
- Choose Edit (contribute), then Awards, and add your film under the category (Best Actress) with the outcome shown on your laurel above.
- Submit. IMDb reviews it and publishes it to the event page and to your film's page.