WRITER/DIRECTOR

Velon garnered significant attention for her critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning debut as a writer and director, The Critic, which was among the five winners of Amazon Studios' All Voices Film Festival and was also a Webby Award nominee.

In addition to the over 30 awards and nominations, the short received rave reviews, with UK Film Review calling it "a particularly poignant piece of cinema in the current social climate" and Indie Shorts Mag naming it their Editors' Pick "The Best Of All."

Velon was also named Best Director at the UK Film Review Awards, in the company of Alfonso Cuarón (with Roma) and Bradley Cooper (with A Star is Born).

The film received praise from both the general audience and industry professionals, with Oscar winner A.R. Rahman among those commending the film.

Stella is currently working on expanding the short into a full-length feature upon popular demand. She is also developing several original projects, including a female-driven television dramedy series set in the fashion world between New York and Paris.

STELLA VELON WRITER/DIRECTOR REEL

THE CRITIC (Writer/Director)

2018 | USA | 15 MIN
Psychological Drama/Thriller
The Punk Floyd Company | Watch on Amazon Prime Video (USA) | Prime Video (UK) | UK Film Channel

“Stories about Hollywood notoriety and rags-to-riches are ten a penny and often the characters are so far removed from the audience’s own environment that few of the themes hit home with any real impact. However, in The Critic, the deeply personal approach that Velon takes and the choice to use a single male interviewer makes this a particularly poignant piece of cinema in the current social climate.
Intertwining external pressures with internal angst and guilt, The Critic is a powerful short film loaded with exceptional dialogue… and packed with substantial emotional heft”

★★★★★ UK FILM REVIEW

“For films that usually offer a kaleidoscopic vision into the film industry, ‘The Critic’ uses a singular lens to focus on the work, profession and personal space of the people involved in the field, all through the eyes of an actress. ‘The Critic’ is an absolutely stunning visual and a treat to the cerebral folk and cinephiles alike! The editor’s pick this year singularly, unabashedly falls for Stella Velon’s ‘The Critic’, worth every minute of the short! Indie Shorts Mag wishes Stella Velon the best for her future projects and thanks her for shining such pearls of genius upon us this year!”

EDITOR’S PICK “THE BEST OF ALL, FROM 2018” | INDIE SHORTS MAG

“Velon... grabs you from the start, establishes an emotional connection with the audience, and then straps you in on an emotional roller coaster ride.”

★★★★ FILM THREAT

“Velon’s direction is exceptional… At a time of #Metoo & #Timesup, ‘The Critic’ remains an honest dissection of what it takes to be a film star and offers a peek-a-boo into that galaxy which we all find so alluring.”
⧁The Critic became “the first short to receive 5 stars on IndieShortsMag.com”

★★★★★ INDIE SHORTS MAG

“A quietly fierce, dramatically potent, and heartbreakingly palpable exercise in what could very well be one of the most impactful inward looks at the realities found within the celebrity mindset, writer/director/actress Stella Velon’s 15-minute indie short film profoundly places the viewer right into the core of an interview gone wrong. Steeped in emotionally-charged gravitas throughout... The Critic is a sublime piece of indie film magic.”

ONE FILM FAN

“writer/director Stella Velon’s emotionally involving and thought-provoking short film The Critic… is nearly instantly engaging and a remarkably poignant story that somehow manages to travel a broad emotional spectrum while delivering a complete story within its modest 15-minute running time... Mostly, however, this is Velon’s baby and what an amazing baby it is to behold.”

THE INDEPENDENT CRITIC

“The film deals with heavy material, and, from its start, Velon positions herself as a serious filmmaker. Its opening is cinematic beauty... What stands out about “The Critic” is its production value and aim, which are both pristine in their execution. The film is ambitious and wants us to follow it along its progression... You’re left with the distinct impression of watching a film... Velon has written and produced a powerful indie here, and I’m eager to see what she does with her next production.”

THE MOVIE BUFF

“Stella Velon proves to be a triple threat in her directorial debut, ‘The Critic’ which she also wrote and starred in.... Velon’s artistic choices are excellent, especially with regards to the character of the Interviewer (Alan Smyth).... Velon has created a wonderful illusion of reality and deceit that encompasses real issues in modern society. The script is a powerful foundation that is intensified tenfold by the performances of the protagonists. Stella Velon’s debut film, ‘The Critic’ is hopefully the start of many to come!”

INDY REVIEWS

“It’s a beautifully shot film, with some inventive camerawork and exceptional use of lighting. It feels incredibly sophisticated and mature for a short film. It’s even more impressive given the very limited location, and director Stella Velon still manages to find one interesting shot after another.”

CRITICAL POPCORN

“The standout offering of the block is 'The Critic'… Understanding the form and purpose of a short story is just as important as screencraft and ‘The Critic’ succeeds on all fronts.”

SOPHIE LONDON | LONDON INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL

“A memorable directorial debut from writer and star Stella Velon, The Critic is an intriguing, thought-provoking and, ultimately, powerful psychological drama which spins a twisting tale from a familiar format — the celebrity interview. Masterfully subverting our expectations throughout, Velon unpicks the insecurities, paradoxes and façade behind the movie star image in a gripping 14 minutes of simmering tension. Budding film makers need to look no further than The Critic for a first-rate example of short screen storytelling. Deftly capitalizing on a simple premise, with a tension-crackling script that is always surprising, topped with a compelling central performance, The Critic showcases a major talent in the world of short film.”

LAWRENCE BENNIE | MEDIUM



STILLS

BEHIND THE SCENES

UNTITLED SCRIPTED COMEDY SERIES (in development) | Writer/Creator

About: A girl-powered half-hour comedy/dramedy series loosely inspired by Stella’s experiences as a fashion model in New York City and Paris.
Status: In Development (Pilot Script + Bible)
Contact: Jean Gabriel Kauss | The Punk Floyd Company | jgk@punkfloydco.com
Legal: Thomas Greenberg | Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein & Lezcano | tgreenberg@dsmtfl.com | Tel: (310) 979-7995

ERASE & REWIND* (in development) | Writer/Director

*Working title.

Narrative feature. Drama/thriller. Treatment.

About: Based on the short film ‘The Critic’, written/directed/starring Stella Velon. Upon popular demand, the filmmakers have decided to expand into a length feature.
Status: In Development (treatment)
Contact: The Punk Floyd Company | jgk@punkfloydco.com

Read more about the short here.
Visit the official website here.
Watch now on Amazon Prime Video or Omeleto

Interviews