Posted by Join host Olivia Lyle (@olivialyle1) for an exclusive interview with actress and writer Megan Davis, co-creator and lead of Hemorrhage (USA), which received the awards for Best Women Short and Best Acting Duo (alongside Adam Irigoyen). Recorded by Kyle Reed (@thekylereed) at the 7th Annual Independent Shorts Awards at Regal LA Live, Los Angeles.
The screening at Independent Shorts Awards marked the USA premiere of Hemorrhage, giving audiences their first opportunity to experience the film on the big screen.
On Hemorrhage — A Story Rooted in Urgency
Written and produced by Davis, Hemorrhage was born from her deep concern about the realities facing women and marginalized communities in post-Roe America. “When they first overturned Roe v. Wade, people were talking about the women dying, women in ICU, women bleeding out from pregnancies that weren’t even viable but who were waiting for approval to get life-saving surgery,” she explained.
For Davis, the issue is not abstract: “We’ve diminished female-assigned-at-birth humans to nothing more than a crime scene. That hurts my heart. We are not crime scenes. We are human beings, and our stories deserve to be heard as human beings.”
Background & Voice
Davis’s career reflects her commitment to exploring truth across multiple artistic forms. Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, she grew up immersed in performance, including a lead role with the Tulsa Opera at age 12, before studying Acting and Musical Theatre at the University of Arizona. Now based in Los Angeles, she has appeared in popular television series such as American Horror Story, 2 Broke Girls, and Bones.
She also gained visibility portraying Amber Heard in Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial and recently published a book of poetry, What Breaks Us, a collection that examines relationships, identity, addiction, and healing. Her passion for storytelling—whether on stage, on screen, or on the page—shaped her approach to Hemorrhage, where advocacy and artistry converge.
Collaboration with Ella Lentini & Adam Irigoyen
Davis credited director Ella Lentini with shaping the film’s emotional texture, including small but powerful choices: “There’s a moment in the clinic where you just spend time on the faces of different women, saying without words that everyone in that room has a story. They’re human beings with lives and people who love them.”
Her partnership with co-star Adam Irigoyen was equally crucial. “Adam’s just really talented — I was lucky to sit across from him. A lot of guys were afraid of being part of this story, but Adam said, ‘If I don’t stand for this, what do I stand for?’ That was profound. He stood up for what’s right, even if the law doesn’t directly affect him.”
Their on-screen chemistry and mutual trust earned them the award for Best Acting Duo, a distinction Davis described as both humbling and affirming.
Art as Advocacy
While Davis doesn’t limit herself only to activist-driven projects, she believes in art’s power to reflect and shape the world. “Every story is someone’s story. Whether it’s comedy or drama, I take it seriously because I’m telling someone’s truth. Art makes us feel less alone. It helps us ask if we’re being the people we want to be.”
Recognition & Resonance
For Davis, the Independent Shorts Awards recognition is both a validation of her creative work and a reminder of why she tells stories. “This film is important because it’s real. These are human lives. To share it here, with Ella and Adam and everyone who trusted me with their artistry, is an honor.”
Enjoy the interview below, along with the trailer for Hemorrhage, for a brief glimpse into the film.
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