My biggest production yet, this film was my final short film in the International Baccalaureate Film Higher Level course. In As Lights Blur By, I use my four years of IB Film experiences to weave a short film that incorporates many of the directorial styles and techniques I had learned in these years, specifically tied to Wong Kar-Wai. The film follows an adolescent girl recalling memories of her late mother as she travels through the city while visiting locations and memorabilia related to her mom. In order to convey this story in an engaging manner, I decided to incorporate a non-linear structure following the theme of the five stages of grief. I had always used more experimental storytelling in my previous films, with cryptic narratives and a heavy stylistic focus. This time, I decided to direct a film with a more clear narrative while bounding myself to a specific thematic idea to explore. By exploring the 5-stages of grief with a non-linear structure, I am able to manipulate space and time while maintaining continuity, creating an immersive and unique experience. As a Director, I successfully paid homage to Wong Kar-Wai’s neo-noir techniques and non-linear narrative in order to represent the five stages of grief. Throughout the process of filming, many challenges were faced, such as the availability of locations and permits and a constant clash of ideas between members; as a director, I fixed the clash of ideas by synthesizing different perspectives proposed by every member and providing a viable solution. Through this experience, I learned that it is crucial to listen to the team’s inputs and ideas and to make compromises to collaborate efficiently. I also learned to manage situations where the team might feel lost, and to allow every member to contribute equally through a set task of instructions and activities.