Posted by Join host Olivia Lyle (@olivialyle1) for an exclusive conversation with Karolyne Sosa, co-producer of What’s Wrong, Emma (France), a short drama directed by Teo Frank, who was honored at this year’s ceremony as Best Male Director. Recorded by Kyle Reed (@thekylereed) at the 7th Annual Independent Shorts Awards at Regal LA Live, Los Angeles.
Earlier this year, the film had already gained recognition from Independent Shorts Awards when it was named Best Foreign Language Short of the Season (February–March 2025). The jury praised its “subtlety and depth,” highlighting its restrained visual style and evocative atmosphere.
A Quietly Powerful Story
What’s Wrong, Emma tells the story of a writer who, during a family gathering in France, receives a signed copy of her ex-partner’s debut novel. That small gesture unleashes a torrent of unresolved feelings — envy, longing, unfinished love. With Sarah Bennington in the lead role, Emma’s inner turmoil is rendered with striking depth and nuance.
The international production brought together a British cast, a French crew, and a shoot in the south of France. “It’s really a story about envy,” Sosa explained, “and Teo Frank wanted to put that emotion on screen. We think we accomplished it.” At just under 23 minutes, the team aimed for the look and feel of a feature while keeping the story tailored to the short format.
This also marks Frank’s first narrative short, following his acclaimed documentary Underdogs and a 2023 docu-series on French pop star Dadju for StudioCanal. His goal, Sosa noted, was to create something almost fable-like: less naturalistic, more universal.
A Producer’s Perspective
For Sosa, the heart of producing lies in the people behind the project. “I want to work with good people that have something to say and are great storytellers,” she said, recalling how she first met Teo Frank years earlier when she programmed his documentary at a festival in the very same theater where the 7th Annual Independent Shorts Awards now take place. “We both said, ‘I want to work with you one day.’ And years later, here we are.”
Casting Emma was one of the key challenges. Another actress had initially been considered, but it wasn’t the right fit. “We knew our Emma was out there,” Sosa remembered, “and when Sarah came along, she just took the role and made it her own. She is quite fantastic in it. We’re very proud of her work.”
For Sosa, the screenplay was always the guiding compass: “Story is everything. What’s going to pull at everyone’s heartstrings? This one.”
Looking Ahead
Following its success at Independent Shorts Awards, What’s Wrong, Emma is set to premiere in New York and will screen at another Los Angeles festival soon. For Sosa, the journey has been a reminder of the value of strong collaborations, meaningful stories, and trusting the process. The awards are both validation and motivation — a springboard for what comes next.
Enjoy the interview below, along with the trailer for What’s Wrong, Emma, for a brief glimpse into the film.
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