Pastel Hell

An experimental film drawing on traditional artistic techniques to explore a young person's first experience with time. Pastel Hell incorporates stop-motion, live-action and VFX to build a multi-dimensional space where characters can develop while implementing a forced perspective. The film is set inside the mind of its lead character, a young woman who has spent the night partying a bit too hard. Her consciousness takes an exciting turn when she decides to call it a night, but things start to catch up with her. The concept of time appears in an embodied form, luring her in so she can't turn away. It causes her to spiral deeper into a world full of anxiety and paranoia - that of her inner self. Our protagonist is forced to face the fears of not only herself, but those of a generation coming to the realisation that time is endless, and we are stuck in a world without choice.

Directed by Hugo Kit Miklos Vadasz, Pastel Hell leans on a strong ensemble — Madeleine Magee Carr — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about fantasy titles of 2023.