Drama – Made in Mars Studios https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com We Tell Powerful, Heartfelt, and Thought-Provoking Stories Fri, 25 Sep 2026 20:15:52 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 AL MHAJBA: THE GIRL IN THE VEIL https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/video/mhajba/ https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/video/mhajba/#respond Fri, 25 Sep 2026 20:06:04 +0000 https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/?post_type=haru_video&p=7033 In Algeria, a young girl resists pressure from her family to wear the hijab, accidentally awakening a vengeful spirit that haunts her school.

]]> https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/video/mhajba/feed/ 0 UFH [UNIDENTIFIED FLYING HUMAN] https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/video/ufh/ Fri, 25 Sep 2026 18:55:23 +0000 https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/?post_type=haru_video&p=7031 Traveling on a domestic flight to her first day on a major studio film, a French actress of Arab heritage is profiled by an overzealous TSA agent and detained for a hostile interrogation.
STATUS: In post-production.

 

]]> THE SIGN https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/video/the-sign/ Sun, 27 Oct 2024 04:09:53 +0000 https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/?post_type=haru_video&p=6140 A woman’s jog through the park turns to panic when she finds herself dialing 911. But things are not always as they seem…

Written and directed by Mars, the film uniquely follows each character from the legs down, keeping faces entirely out of frame. This creative choice, inspired by animation techniques that stay at a child’s eye level, builds a distinctive atmosphere. Notably, the piece was crafted to advocate for disability awareness—a cause deeply meaningful to her.

 

WATCH TRAILER ▶

]]> MY ANCESTORS’ SONG https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/video/my-ancestors-song/ Sun, 27 Oct 2024 00:31:13 +0000 https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/?post_type=haru_video&p=6137 MY ANCESTORS’ SONG is a feature screenplay in development, based on Melissa Mars’ award-winning drama short that follows an Algerian-French actress navigating Hollywood while grappling with her cultural identity.

This poignant, often humorous drama reflects the struggle of staying connected to one’s roots while adapting to a new country and challenging industry stereotypes. Writing the screenplay allowed Mars to explore her heritage and honor her ancestors, drawing deeply from her own experiences.

Female filmmakers of color are still forging paths in the industry, and Mars hopes to represent her Algerian roots by directing this deeply meaningful project.

The screenplay has already earned a Best Screenplay Award at Bridgeport Film Festival 2022 and multiple accolades: Hollyshorts 2022 Semi-finalist, Screecraft Film Fund 2022 Quarter Finalist, semifinalist at the Outstanding Screenplays Shorts Competition and placement on the top of Coverfly’s Red List. 

Stay tuned for updates!

PITCH DECK AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST >>

 

 

]]> THE LAST TOUCH https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/video/lasttouch/ Thu, 29 Oct 2020 19:30:41 +0000 https://demo.harutheme.com/formota/video/twitch-tv-copy/ A young couple struggles to keep their love alive in a world where technology has replaced intimacy, and human touch is deadly.

*** Award-winning dystopian short movie, currently in the festival circuit…

And now… STREAMING ON VIDIVERSE!

]]> BETTER LATE THAN NEVER https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/video/better-late-than-never/ Fri, 05 Jun 2020 19:29:36 +0000 https://demo.harutheme.com/formota/video/facebook-copy/ Wisdom Tree, L.A, California.
A young woman longing to reconnect with her estranged father.
A young man celebrating a birthday alone.
Two lives intertwine.

***

Produced by Bowl of Spaghetti, Ashla Soter; co-produced by Melissa Mars.

 

]]> CHAPERON NOIR https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/video/chaperon-noir/ Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:56:32 +0000 https://www.madeinmarsstudios.com/?post_type=haru_video&p=4469 A dark re-imagining of Little Red Riding Hood.

In this aptly titled noir re-visioning of the tale of Red Riding Hood, the tables are turned as the hunted becomes the hunter. Is any man or beast safe from the mysterious Dark Riding Hood and her disturbing, hybrid guards as she patrols her enchanted forest?

 

***

Co-created by Melissa Mars and Mick Bulle, this fantasy French short movie is Melissa Mars’ directorial debut and an official selection of French film festival: Festival du Film Merveilleux et Imaginaire 2008.

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