A woman suddenly finds herself with a thief in the living room. Hidden, she watches on as he starts rifling through her things, but the thief crosses a line when he begins concerning himself with her private life.
Set to a track of chanted affirmations, Thief plays out that human urge to manifest and the unbelievable things that might get in the way.
Set to a track of chanted affirmations, Thief plays out that human urge to manifest and the unbelievable things that might get in the way.
7 minutes, released January 2025
This film grew out of a collaboration with two comedic improv actors after meeting at a birthday party in London. Their performance became the guiding principle and our focus turned to the live energy and absurdity more often found on stage. A kind of screwball comedy at heart.
Made on a micro-budget of around £3k, with a crew of fewer than five over two short days, Thief was an exercise in fast-paced, instinctual filmmaking. The story ultimately came together in the edit using rhythm, voiceover and music.
Finalist, London Director Awards, 2025
Nominee, Absurd Film Festival, Milan 2026
Made on a micro-budget of around £3k, with a crew of fewer than five over two short days, Thief was an exercise in fast-paced, instinctual filmmaking. The story ultimately came together in the edit using rhythm, voiceover and music.
Finalist, London Director Awards, 2025
Nominee, Absurd Film Festival, Milan 2026
CREDITS
Cast
Mathilde Candotto
Ted Allpress, as the thief
Director of Photography Nina Oyens
Edited by Olivier Jones
Production Design by Oscar Mather & Emily Fielding
Flowers by Cynthia Fan
Lighting Assistant Marta Vitola
Music by Matthew Field
Typography by Michael Tymbios
Sound by Alina Ushakova
Colour by Fox Bamber Barron
Story Consultants Ian Grose, Michael Tymbios, Marius Scholtz
Filmed on site at Sinfonia Smith Square, London
Cast
Mathilde Candotto
Ted Allpress, as the thief
Director of Photography Nina Oyens
Edited by Olivier Jones
Production Design by Oscar Mather & Emily Fielding
Flowers by Cynthia Fan
Lighting Assistant Marta Vitola
Music by Matthew Field
Typography by Michael Tymbios
Sound by Alina Ushakova
Colour by Fox Bamber Barron
Story Consultants Ian Grose, Michael Tymbios, Marius Scholtz
Filmed on site at Sinfonia Smith Square, London
Written & Directed by Nicoletta Michaletos