Posted by Join host Olivia Lyle (@olivialyle1) for an exclusive conversation with Kalyn Wood, an Independent Shorts Awards alumna. Although not competing this year, she attended the 7th Annual Showcase at Regal LA Live, Los Angeles, to support fellow filmmakers and share her recent journey. Interview recorded by Kyle Reed (@thekylereed).
Screaming Silence — From Classroom to Festival Circuit
Screaming Silence began as a school project during Wood’s master’s program in London. Initially not intended for a wider audience, the film soon took on a life of its own on the festival circuit. With no dialogue, the short relied on silence and atmosphere, inviting audiences to reflect on trauma, resilience, and the quiet power of unspoken emotions.
An Actress Across Borders
Kalyn Wood is an American-Irish actress based in London and Los Angeles. Drawn to acting from a young age, she began training at 12 and later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she achieved a perfect study score. In 2020, she earned a BA in History from the University of Mississippi, followed by an MA in Text & Performance from Birkbeck University in 2023. Her dual base between the UK and the US reflects her commitment to building a career that bridges continents and storytelling traditions.
Looking Back, Moving Forward
Reflecting on her experience, Wood emphasized how special it was to see Screaming Silence connect with audiences beyond the classroom. Returning to Independent Shorts Awards in Los Angeles this year without the pressure of competition, she enjoyed the chance to meet other filmmakers, discover a wide range of stories, and celebrate the creativity showcased at the festival. “It’s so much fun. I’ve been able to meet so many incredible people… This year I just get to enjoy the evening and meet great filmmakers. Hopefully, they all want to work with me because that’d be great.”
New Projects on the Horizon
Wood’s creative journey has continued to expand. She is preparing for the New York premiere of feature film Molar, where she plays Finny, a character who smokes, drives a moped, and navigates life with grit and edge. Alongside acting, she continues to write, developing a new short inspired by personal experiences. “Always writing, always meeting new people and creating stuff,” she said.
Inspiration in Storytelling
When asked about the films she had seen at this year’s screenings, Wood found it impossible to choose a single favorite. What struck her most was how each work reflected the times we live in, with filmmakers channeling emotion, tension, and vulnerability into their stories. Having created Screaming Silence without dialogue, she explained that she always looks for quiet moments and the unspoken power of cinema — the moments that hold an audience’s breath and linger long after the credits roll.
Enjoy the interview below.
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