World Premiere of Katrina Chiovon’s "Lucid" at Chelsea Film Festival 2024

The Chelsea Film Festival (CFF) wrapped up another stellar year, showcasing films from around the world between October 15th and 20th, 2024. On October 19th, one of the festival’s highlights was the world premiere of Lucid, a deeply personal and visually captivating film by award-winning filmmaker and actress Katrina Chiovon. This psychological fantasy explores the mind’s darkest and most hopeful corners, presenting an emotional journey that resonates with audiences.

Katrina Chiovon Wearing Custom Designing Gown By HOSH CANADA

"Lucid": A Haunting Dreamscape Explores the Depths of Consciousness and Inner Battles at  Chelsea Film Festival 2024

Lucid tells the story of Clara, a woman struggling with a life-altering disease, who begins experiencing vivid and recurring lucid dreams. In these dreams, a rabbit, symbolizing her subconscious, leads her through a carnival—a world where joy and terror coexist. The carnival mirrors Clara’s internal battle between hope and despair. As the dream progresses, it spirals into a nightmare, and Clara becomes trapped, desperately trying to wake up but only plunging deeper into a dream within a dream.

Chiovon, known for her versatility and passion in both acting and filmmaking, wore multiple hats in this project as a writer, director, and producer. Her hands-on approach extended to the film’s artistic design, where she also served as a costume designer. The visually striking poster was created by Xavier Bastidas, adding to the film’s distinctive aesthetic.

The film's cinematography, under the direction of Sofia Ogneva, utilized a Sony a7s iii camera paired with Sigma lenses, giving Lucid its dreamlike, immersive feel. The score, composed by Sam Lans, layered haunting and emotional tones that enhanced the film’s narrative. The work of editor Fredrick Haugen, alongside Ogneva and Chiovon, ensured that the film’s pacing remained tightly aligned with its dreamlike transitions, leaving viewers breathless.

A collaborative effort, Lucid was produced in association with Chiovon Productions and Inductgroup Production. Falgune Mujumder Geet, the associate producer, played a key role in the film’s realization. Special thanks were extended to Triumph Motorcycles and Coney Island, NY, where several memorable scenes were filmed, adding a surreal touch to Clara's journey.

"Lucid"

Premiere Sparks Insightful Dialogue on Consciousness and Creativity

Chiovon, alongside her assistant director Sofia Ogneva and key members of the production team, joined the audience for an engaging Q&A session following the screening. This intimate interaction provided fans and festival-goers a rare glimpse into the meticulous creative process that brought Lucid to life. Chiovon shared how much of the film’s intricate symbolism drew from her own experiences and longtime fascination with the mysteries of lucid dreaming, where the dreamer becomes fully aware within the dream state. She discussed the challenges and rewards of conveying Clara’s surreal journey, emphasizing the profound themes of inner conflict, resilience, and self-discovery woven throughout the storyline. The director expressed gratitude for her team’s dedication, noting how each member’s contributions helped shape the film’s unique aesthetic and emotional depth.

The world premiere of Lucid at the Chelsea Film Festival marked a pivotal milestone in Chiovon’s blossoming career, standing out as both an artistic and personal accomplishment. The audience’s warm reception affirmed the film’s potential to connect deeply with viewers, encouraging reflection on the mind’s complexities and the hidden layers of our subconscious. With this momentum, Lucid is poised to continue its journey across additional film festivals and screenings, introducing its compelling narrative to broader audiences worldwide.

Chiovon, assistant director Sofia Ogneva, and the production team captivated the audience in a lively Q&A session after the premiere, sparking an in-depth conversation on the intricate themes of Lucid. The room buzzed with enthusiasm as viewers shared personal reflections on Clara's surreal journey, and many audience members drew parallels to their own experiences with dreams and subconscious fears. Chiovon opened up about her creative process, describing how she used the carnival setting and Clara’s interactions with her rabbit guide to explore the duality of hope and fear, happiness and sadness.

Audience questions ranged from technical choices—such as the use of specific cameras, lenses, and lighting setups—to deeper inquiries on how Chiovon’s personal experiences shaped Clara’s dreamworld. Chiovon revealed that her own fascination with lucid dreaming and the psychological layers of the mind inspired the film’s core concept. She explained how the dream sequences were crafted to blur the line between reality and fantasy, a technique that resonated with viewers who felt immersed in Clara’s struggles and fears.

The enthusiastic response to Lucid from the Chelsea Film Festival audience marked an exciting chapter in Chiovon’s career, validating her unique storytelling approach and highlighting her creative vision. The engaged Q&A underscored the film’s potential impact, sparking discussions that extended well beyond the screening room. With additional festival appearances on the horizon, Lucid is set to continue captivating audiences, inviting them to explore the fascinating depths of the human subconscious.