In the otherworldly town of Summerhaven, Dr. Ava Wallace confronts her haunting past when her estranged, manipulative mother returns with news of her late father's final wish. As buried secrets surface and reality blurs, Ava must choose between repeating the cycle of generational trauma or breaking free. Ava and Her Mother is a psychological drama exploring reconciliation, identity, and the power of love amidst grief—set where the living and the dead coexist.

Director's Statement

Ava and Her Mother began as a deeply personal exploration of grief, memory, and the complex bonds between mothers and daughters. Set in the liminal space of Summerhaven, the film blurs the line between the psychological and the supernatural to ask: What does it take to truly heal? As a director, I wanted to create an intimate, atmospheric journey that honors the pain of the past while illuminating the possibility of transformation. This film is a love letter to those who've struggled to break free from inherited wounds—and to anyone seeking peace in the in-between.

Category: Short, Drama, Arizona Film, Festival Alum.
Themes: Family, Relationships.

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