Posted by Independent Shorts Awards award-winning “Edge of Space,” directed by Jean de Meuron, has been shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards in the Live Action Short Film category.
The film, which was screened at the 6th Annual Independent Shorts Awards, last September in Regal LA Live, was a recipient of the Award of Excellence (Special Jury Mention) in the monthly season of August 2024, for its narrative and visual excellence.
It is set to compete now as an annual nominee for the 2025 Annual Awards next September 13th, 2025.
Exploring the Cosmos in “Edge of Space”
“Edge of Space” is an 18-minute cinematic journey that brings to life the thrilling era of the early space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Set in 1961, the short film captures the essence of the time when U.S. Air Force test pilots were pushing the boundaries of human flight with the X-15 rocket plane.
Directed and written by de Meuron, who also produced the film, “Edge of Space” follows an ambitious USAF test pilot, Glen Ford, portrayed by Chad Michael Collins, as he is recruited by NASA for a daring suborbital mission. The narrative is inspired by historical events and showcases the bravery and patriotism of pilots during this pivotal period.
The film has garnered significant attention, not just for its narrative but for its technical prowess. With a visual style that pays homage to cinematic legends like Terrence Malick, de Meuron and his team utilized anamorphic lenses to capture the expansive, epic feel of the space race.
The use of magic hour lighting and a meticulous approach to visual effects have been highlighted as giving the film a nostalgic and beautiful look, blending authenticity with cinematic flair.
The film’s connection to real-life space exploration is underscored by the support it received from NASA, which provided archival footage to ensure historical accuracy. The visual effects team, led by Charlie Joslain, recreated the X-15’s journey from earthbound to the cosmos, focusing on the cold, vast emptiness of space with a cool color palette, offering audiences a vivid glimpse into the pilots’ experiences.
“Edge Of Space” was three years in the making and was financed by de Meuron and in large part by an old friend who wanted to help his buddy realise his passion project. It is his second short as a director and has unusually high production values and a deep bench of Hollywood vets among the crew.
“Edge of Space” not only serves as a tribute to the pioneers of space exploration but also as a testament to de Meuron’s growing influence in the film industry. With commendations from industry giants like Ron Howard and Roland Emmerich, the film stands as a compelling piece of cinema that captures the spirit of an era defined by daring dreams and human endeavor.
About Jean de Meuron
After attending the New York Film Academy (NYFA), USC’s School of Cinematic Arts Summer Program in Los Angeles, CA and receiving the UCLA Extension Business & Management of Entertainment Certificate (Earned with Distinction), Jean de Meuron graduated with a Bachelor’s degree (Film & Media Studies) from The New School in New York, NY. He was honored with Outstanding Academic Achievement for his consistency on the Dean’s List. During his studies, he interned at several major Hollywood studios such as Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures and MGM. Upon graduation, Jean commenced his professional career working for prolific Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Golden Globe and Tony Award winning producer Scott Rudin.
Serving as Executive Producer, Jean’s short film, ‘La femme et le TGV’ (2016), starring the iconic Jane Birkin in the leading role, premiered at the prestigious Locarno Film Festival in the Pardi di domani section. The short was further recognized with an Oscar nomination at the 89th Academy Awards for Best Live Action Short Film.
His next short film, ‘The Suitcase’ (2017), for which he served as the Executive Producer, premiered at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. The film made the Shortlist for the 2017 BAFTA Student Film Awards in the Live Action category.
Then, Jean produced ‘Megan’ (2018), an ambitious sci-fi proof of concept short, which gathered widespread critical acclaim, global press coverage and multiple festival accolades. Several media publications such as The Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, Empire, /Film and IndieWire reported on the short.
Since 2019, Jean has been a Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) in the Short Films Branch.
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