Posted by A quietly powerful exploration of identity, memory, and emotional reckoning, What’s Wrong, Emma is a character-driven short film that captures a moment of personal upheaval with subtlety and depth.
Independent Shorts Awards is pleased to announce What’s Wrong, Emma, directed by French filmmaker Teo Frank, as the recipient of Best Foreign Language Short of the Season for the round of February/March 2025.
The 23-minute What’s Wrong, Emma follows Emma, a writer who, while attending her father-in-law’s birthday in France, receives a signed copy of her ex-partner’s debut novel. The unexpected arrival of this book prompts a profound emotional response, leading Emma to confront unresolved feelings and the complexities of her identity. The film explores themes of memory, envy, personal growth, and the nature of past relationships.
Standing out for an exceptional performance from Sarah Bennington, who brings depth and nuance to the role of Emma in a portrayal of a woman caught between the echoes of her past and her present self, the film is the first short narrative work from Teo Frank. His debut feature documentary, Underdogs, completed a successful festival run and achieved worldwide distribution on Netflix. In 2023, Frank wrote and directed a six-part documentary series about French pop star Dadju for Studio Canal. That same year, he made his first short fiction film with What’s Wrong, Emma.
Frank is known for focusing on stories about human resilience and self-overcoming, and in his statement on the film, he reflects on the underlying themes of envy and self-reflection that guided the narrative:
“I believe that fiction allows us to confront and purge the scenarios we shy away from in life. In crafting this narrative, I drew deeply from my own experiences, magnifying the emotions I often keep hidden. My aim was to delve into the unconfronted realm of envy—a destructive feeling that also forces us into self-reflection. The beauty and talent we attribute to others are reflections of qualities that lie dormant within ourselves. I envisioned this film more as a fable, stepping away from the confines of naturalistic realism. By adopting this style, I hope to create a timeless and universal story that resonates on a deeper, more symbolic level.”
With its restrained visual style and introspective tone, What’s Wrong, Emma stood out to the Independent Shorts Awards jury for its thoughtful exploration of internal conflict and emotional complexity. The film’s recognition reflects the jury’s appreciation for its thematic depth and the clarity of Frank’s narrative vision.
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