Little Pains [Director/Milda Baginskaité]

Synopsis

Sophie, only 11, turns a day of mourning into a journey of discovery and connection. At her mother’s funeral, Sophie’s imaginative spirit leads her away from traditional grief rituals and toward an impromptu birthday celebration for a new friend who is also riddled with his own grief. Glitter, toy guns and fleeting friendships collide creating strange, messy beauty of connection. Sophie’s actions challenge the adults’ somber norms and tell a story of resilience, showcasing how children’s innocent play can transform pain into healing and forge unexpected friendships and meaning.

The 2nd award winning short film pitch

Director’s Statement

With ‘Little Pains,’ I wanted to explore how kids deal with big emotions like grief, centering my story around a young girl who uses her imagination to cope with her mum’s death. The film isn’t just about feeling sad but it is about the adventure and unexpected friendships that come out of these tough times.

With this film I want to show that kids, often overlooked when it comes to serious issues like grief, have their own ways of understanding and dealing with loss. They use play and imagination not just as escapes, but as tools to work through their feelings and find connections with others facing similar challenges. My aim is to shed light on the resilience of children, highlighting how they can teach us all a thing or two about facing life’s challenges with hope and creativity.

By blending the reality of a funeral with the imaginative world of a child, I would like to encourage viewers to see grief not just as an end, but as a part of life that can lead to new beginnings and deeper connections. This story is about acknowledging pain but also recognising the support and strength found in togetherness. Through the protagonist’s eyes, we experience a journey that is as much about healing and discovery as it is about loss, showing us that even in the darkest moments, we can find light and meaning.

Director’s Biography

Milda Baginskaitė is a Lithuanian screenwriter and director based in the UK, celebrated for her award-winning work in film. Her diverse projects range from short films and music videos to documentaries and theatre projects. Recognised in the industry for her directing, Milda is a selcted member of Berlinale Talents, BAFTA Connect, and Directors UK. With a strong portfolio of award-winning shorts, Milda is currently developing her first feature film.

Director’s Filmography

Beer (documentary)
2024, 24 minutes, Documentary

Lia IRL (drama)
2023, 14 minutes, Drama

True Colours (comedy)
2021, 11 minutes, Comedy Drama

Teddy (drama)
2020, 12 minutes, Drama

Producer Information

Diva Rodriguez is an award-winning film and television producer based in the UK. As a television executive, Diva produced the BBC’s flagship drama ‘Waterloo Road’ and Channel 4’s teen drama ‘Hollyoaks’. In film, Diva produced the 2023 critically acclaimed feature film, ’Sky Peals’, short films, ‘Bury The Dogs’ (executive produced by Shane Meadows), the award-winning ‘The Witch’s Daughter’ (starring Burn Gorman and Jo Hartley), the Roman Coppola NFT-funded short film, ‘LIA IRL’, and executive produced the short film, ‘Surprise Baby’ for Rope Ladder Fiction. Diva is a member of BAFTA, the Royal Television Society and the Writers Guild Of Great Britain. Diva is currently developing a slate of film projects she intends to write and direct.

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