Short Film AFIN 323
THIS TOO SHALL PASS
Directed by 
Patrick Hatfield
AFIN 2025 Nominee
- 2025
- 12m
-
Australia - English
- M
Stills
4 frames
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Credits
Produced by
Starring
Synopsis
This Too Shall Pass, is a poignant short film set in the bustling streets of Sydney at night. It follows the journey of a weary ride share driver who encounters a distressed passenger during his nightly rounds. As they traverse the city, the driver's empathy and understanding gradually unravel the passenger's emotional turmoil, leading to a pivotal moment where she stands on the edge of a cliff, contemplating her pain and the possibility of ending it all. Through the driver's own experiences of loss and grief, he offers the passenger a lifeline of compassion and support, urging her to reach out for help.
Director's Statement
The original reason I wrote the film, This Too Shall Pass, was to get the message across to talk to someone, anyone, if you are feeling down or depressed. A number of people around me had been suffering from depression and suicidal thoughts and I had tried to be there for them. The point of the film is to just talk, to anyone, friends, family, a random person you met in the street, anyone. You are not alone no matter how much it may seem like it at times and the pain you are feeling will ease over time, things will get better even if it may not seem like it. Just Talk.
What makes this one special
From the Judges
From the Judges
A quiet, emotionally gripping short about the difficulty of confiding in someone during a painful chapter of life, this film carries its message with real restraint. Understated lead and supporting performances anchor a well-paced structure, and the panel admired the documentary-like camerawork, moonlight blending with the orange glow of a car park into shots composed to suit each scene. Its editing keeps the story moving with an assured, unhurried rhythm.
Director's Biography
Patrick Hatfield Director
Patrick Hatfield is an Australian filmmaker based in Sydney who has worked on a number of top Australian TV shows and films over the past few years in various crew roles, like the award winning Total Control, Home and Away, Last King of The Cross and international shows The Artful Dodger and Queen of Oz, as well as some brief appearances in front of the camera. Patrick was an Associate Producer on the critically acclaimed Australian feature film Streets of Colour and has helped produce a number of short films for other filmmakers. Patrick's first major short film, written and directed by him, This Too Shall Pass, will be making a splash on the 2025 film festival circuit while he works on a number of upcoming short and longer form projects already in the works.
Trailer
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THIS TOO SHALL PASS was an official Nominee for Best Australian Short Film at the AFIN International Film Festival 2025, a Top 100 Best Reviewed and IMDb-qualifying festival.
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