Short Film – Made in Mars Studios

AL MHAJBA: THE GIRL IN THE VEIL

Made in Mars Studios — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 20:06:04 +0000

In Algeria, a young girl resists pressure from her family to wear the hijab, accidentally awakening a vengeful spirit that haunts her school.

UFH [UNIDENTIFIED FLYING HUMAN]

Made in Mars Studios — Fri, 25 Sep 2026 18:55:23 +0000

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

Made in Mars Studios — Sun, 27 Oct 2024 04:09:53 +0000

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

THE LAST TOUCH

Made in Mars Studios — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 19:30:41 +0000

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

Made in Mars Studios — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 19:29:36 +0000

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.

PERFECT CHAOS – Ep.10

Made in Mars Studios — Thu, 07 May 2020 20:29:34 +0000

During a global upheaval, artificial intelligence manipulates technology to turn against us, setting humanity on a path toward self-destruction.

Perfect Chaos Episode 10 is part of a Set Apart Pictures chain movie, a concept where every filmmaker takes the story over from where it left off and develops it further in a 48 hour challenge.

Totally #stayathome approved!

Fun Fact: Made during the worldwide lockdown, the distance between the two lead actors was kept waybeyond the 6 feet social distance requirements: 10, 353 miles apart! From NY to Melbourne!

Filmmaking post-covid by Mars.

***

Watch both seasons >>> here

ARMY OF LOVE

Made in Mars Studios — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:47:11 +0000

Once upon a time, in the vast whiteness of silence, the Fates of love, Ox & Xo, were frozen in their love story. When the Army of Love is awakened , they embark upon a quest to free the lovers from their never-ending torment. Will the Army of love help Ox and Xo find happily-ever-after…?

***

Melissa Mars teamed up with animator Thomas Gueriguen to co-direct this animated video she envisioned while writing the song “Army of Love”, part of her third solo album produced by Polydor-Universal Music. The short musical tale played on French TV networks, including M6, as well as on the big screen as an official selection of musical films of French Festival Courts Devant 2009.

Check out the French version

CHAPERON NOIR

Made in Mars Studios — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 20:56:32 +0000

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.